Chp. 9
"I'll escort Max's body back to Baltimore. Have his family been contacted?" Gideon asked.
"Yes. I called Michele an hour ago." Rossi said. Michele was Max Ryan's wife. Widow. "I'll go with you to Baltimore." He said and Gideon nodded in understanding. The three men had worked together in the BAU for close to fifteen years.
"What about Spencer?" Hotch asked.
"Unfortunately, he'll need to testify against his father in order to corroborate the forensic evidence against him. I've already made some calls and cleared him to fly back with us and remain in Emily's custody if she's willing." The three men scoffed at this. It was clear to all of them that Emily and Derek would both fight to the death to keep Spencer with them and keep him safe.
"So how hard did Erin fight you?" Gideon asked.
Dave shrugged. "I called in a few favors that were owed me by people above her pay grade, so she didn't say much. Other than cursing at me." Despite everything that had happened, Strauss's reaction brought a smile to all three agent's faces.
"And William Reid?" Gideon asked.
"He's being transferred back to Virginia and into federal custody. A JPATS CONAIR flight is leaving McCarran International tonight at midnight. Mr. Reid will be on it, with Mark and Deputy LaMontage as escorts." Rossi said.
"I guess that's it then. I'll let Deputy Gregory know we're heading out." Gideon finished, standing and going to the door.
"I'll tell Prentiss and Morgan that Spencer's coming with us." Hotch said, following Gideon out.
000
A light knock on the door made Spencer jump and look up from the picture he was drawing. Emily had taken the chair behind the desk and he was sitting her lap. She ran a hand up and down his arm in an effort to calm him. "It's ok, honey. You're safe."
Derek stood and moved to open the door. He figured it was one of the deputies and was surprised to see Hotch. "What's up man?"
"Well, I had some news and it involves Spencer, so I'd like to include him, if that's alright."
"Sure, come in." Morgan stepped and Hotch came in. Derek decided to differ to Emily to make the introductions.
The brunette gently turned Spencer so she was facing him. "Spence, this is Aaron Hotchner, but we usually call him Hotch. He works with Derek and I and he's a very good friend ours too." Emily added the part about friendship in an effort to put the boy at ease.
Hotch smiled, a rarity for him. But at the same time, the smile was natural and not forced at all. Spencer sensed that this man called Hotch was good, so he returned the smile. "Hi, Mr. Hotch."
"Hi, Spencer. That's a nice picture your drawing. Are you gonna get Emily to hang it on her refrigerator?"
Spencer let out a small sob at this and spoke quickly before any of the adults could catch on. "Ye-yes, sir. I was goin' to wet her have it so she'd 'member me."
Aaron noticed the look on Emily's face at Spencer's words, but ignored it. He'd ask her on the plane. He smiled at the boy. "Spencer, we made some phone calls and you get to stay with Emily."
Hotch and Morgan didn't miss the light in Spencer's eyes at this news. He squirmed around in Emily's lap and threw his arms around her neck. "Did you hear that Emily?! Mr. Hotch said I could stay with you!"
Spencer's genuine happiness and smile were contagious. All three adults, due to the nature of their profession, had seen more than enough death and heartache to last a hundred lifetimes. It was nice to see their efforts could produce some happiness, and not just for the victim. Derek saw genuine happiness on his friend's face and he was just as glad for his small part in causing it.
Emily smiled and hugged Spencer. "Yeah, baby, I heard."
"We'll head back to the hotel in a few minutes." Hotch said, turning to leave.
"Hotch?"
He turned back at Emily's voice. "Yes?"
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
000
As he sat in the back of the Ford Crown Vic and watched the sights of Las Vegas fly by William Reid decided to mess with two Marshals in the front seat, if for no other reason than to pass the time. "I bet this didn't go the way you envisioned it at all, did it, gentlemen? I'll be you'd prefer to drive me out into the desert and put a full magazines' worth of nine-millimeter bullets into my head. Am I right?"
To William's surprised, only a moment passed before LaMontage answered. "I like that idea, Willy. But personally, I think prison'll be a much better fit for a man of your persuasion. You think so, Mark?"
"Definitely." Mark agreed as they stopped at the gate to the portion of the airport that was under direct control of the FBI and U.S. Marshals service.
Mark rolled down the window, both deputies flashed their credentials and were waved through. Five minutes later, Mark stopped next to an unmarked Boeing 727 commercial jetliner. The two Marshals unloaded their prisoner and led him to another marshal dressed in dark blue fatigues. "Name?" the man asked.
"Reid, William. DOJ# 311089167." Mark said, and the other man consulted a clipboard.
"Ok, we'll take it from here." Two other Marshal's came over and lead William onto the plane. "Your I.D.'s, please?"
Mark and Will handed over their credentials. "Ok, guys, welcome to CONAIR. You can board up front." Both men boarded carrying only duffels containing clothes and toiletries. Rossi had offered to ferry their long guns on the BAU jet and the two men jumped on the idea. Less hassle that way. Flying CONAIR was difficult enough with a sidearm. Will and Mark boarded and secured their pistols without a problem, then settled in to wait for take-off. By the time the plane reached the runway and began its take-off run, the two men were dead asleep.
000
When they got married, Carolyn made Dave promise that he would call her and check in when he was on a case. Rossi checked his watch and saw it was after midnight Vegas time, which meant it was north of two am back in Virginia. But Carolyn was a night owl by nature and it was Saturday, so Dave guessed she was still up. He dialed their home number and heard his wife's voice answer on the second ring. "Hello?"
"Hey, cara. Just wanted to let you know we're on our way home."
"How are you doing?"
Dave could tell by her tone that Carolyn knew about the shooting in the cemetery. "Cara, I'm sorry I didn't call you. We didn't want anything getting out until Max's family had been notified. Mark and I are both fine. I'm flying to Baltimore with Jason and we're telling Michele personally. I should be home midday tomorrow."
"Ok, I'll let your mother know. You shouldn't worry her, Dave." Rossi knew better than to answer that one and he let his silence speak for him. "How's Mark?"
"He and Will LaMontage are escorting William Reid back to Virginia. That's actually something I wanted to talk to you about. Morgan and Prentiss found William's son Spencer. It was pretty bad. Emily has custody of him, but he'll need someone to talk to and I was wondering if you would be willing to take the case on?"
Carolyn didn't hesitate. "Of course, David. Give Emily my office number and let her contact me."
"Thank you, Carolyn. Listen, I have to go. See you tomorrow. I love you."
"Love you, too. See you tomorrow."
000
A/N1: So what do you guys think about Spencer seeing Carolyn for help dealing with the abuse? Also, I've given some thought to having Mark and Garcia hook up at some point in this story. Do y'all have any opinions on that? Thanks for reading, review, etc. You make writing worth it!
A/N2: CONAIR is the unofficial name of Justice Prisoner and Alien Transport System (JPATS), which is the system used by the federal government to transport prisoners.