V

Neither agent was surprised when Emily pulled up next to an elaborate 30-story building complete with a bellboy and valet service.

"May I take your-"

"No thank you." Emily waved away the boy as he approached them. "What you can do is tell me where we can find Adrian Hail."

"H-Hail?" he stammered. "Mi-mister Hail is, uh, not-"

"Before you make up a detailed, yet inadequate lie," JJ squinted her eyes as she read the name tag and fished for her credentials. "Brian, I suggest you-"

"Fourteenth floor, suite 86." Brian replied quickly, not sure whether he was more afraid of them or Hail. JJ patted his arm and smiled before stepping into the elevator, sharing an amused glance with Emily. When the doors opened and the women stepped out onto the 14th floor, they couldn't help but marvel at the extravagant interior. Luxurious paintings hung everywhere, a plush red carpet that had been recently cleaned almost made them feel sorry for stepping on it and the doors to the three suites that occupied the floor looked to be gold-plated. Emily reached out and knocked on room 86, revealing a bulky, bald man in a black muscle tee. Flashing their credentials, the two women eased past him wordlessly and entered the suite. Ignoring the obvious lack of hubris displayed in the home, they took in the occupants of the room, all of which were staring at them.

"Who the hell are you?" a smaller, thin man approached them with his arms crossed. Emily and JJ shoved their ID in his face and didn't miss the uncomfortable shift in the room.

"We're here to speak with Mr. Hail." Emily's voice boomed.

"Mr. Hail doesn't take-"

"Alek, it's alright." A voice called from behind a half-closed door. Grumbling, the man stepped aside and watched as the women entered Hail's office.

"Thank you Alek." JJ smiled at the man warmly; ignoring the nasty look he shot her, and followed Emily.

"What can I do for New York's finest?" Hail asked as they entered, not bothering to look up from the papers in his hand as he waved the two men in the back away.

"Actually Mr. Hail," JJ's voice demanded his attention. "We're with the FBI." A flicker of surprise crossed the man's features at the fact that both agents were women. JJ briefly thought that the man couldn't be older than 30.

"Adrian, please." He motioned for them to sit and rose to pour himself a glass of liquor. "Drink?"

"No thank you." They chimed together.

"I'm Agent Prentiss and this is my partner, Agent Jareau." Emily introduced them as Hail sat back down.

"So formal." The man chuckled into his glass and peered up at the women with bright eyes.

"Emily."

"Jennifer."

"Well Emily and Jennifer," Hail cleared his throat. "What does the FBI need from a lowly businessman such as myself?"

"Oh, I think we all know you're much more than that Adrian." Emily smiled coyly, making it seemed like she had complimented him.

"We wanted to ask you some questions regarding your…employees, Cassidy Newton and Michael and Albert Fox." JJ crossed her legs and watched for a reaction.

"They're not in some kind of trouble, are they?" Hail raised an eyebrow, concern edging into his features.

"I'm afraid they're dead." Emily informed him softly and took in his shock.

"What?" Adrian cried. "How? When?"

"Mr. Newton was found three days ago and the Fox brothers in the days since." Emily said. "All three had been stabbed to death."

"That is…awful." Hail ran a hand through his jet black hair that unnervingly reminded the women of their boss.

"Were you aware of any issues they might have had in the past few weeks?" Emily asked his, leaning forward slightly.

"Issues?"

"Girlfriend trouble, money problems, threats." JJ waved her hand. "Really, anything can help."

"I don't believe any of them were involved with someone and money problems were the last thing from their mind." Adrian seemed to take pride in that.

"Business is going well?" JJ asked as if trying to make casual conversation.

"Oh yes." A smile eased its way onto Hail's lips. "Had to root out a few…bad apples but besides that everything's glorious."

"Glad to hear it." JJ offered a small smile which he returned quickly.

"Could you tell us what the three did under your employment?" Emily asked, drawing his attention back to her.

"Well I met Cassidy about 10 years ago when he worked for my father and he's been in charge of overseas investments since. Michael and Albert came in around 2009 and whipped my security staff into shape." Adrian adjusted his tie before take a sip of scotch.

"If you don't mind me asking," JJ frowned slightly. "You're rather young to have such a successful…operation."

"Yes, I suppose I am." Hail chuckled. "My father taught me everything I know so when he died when I was 18 I just took over the family business."

"I'm sure he'd be very proud of you." JJ rose, followed by Emily and Hail. "Thank you for your time."

"Not a problem." Hail opened the door for the women.

"One more question?" Emily asked and Hail nodded. "Do you happen to know a Charlize White?"

"Hmm…" He seemed to ponder the question. "No, I don't believe I do. Is she alright?"

"She was murdered." Emily said nonchalantly before thanking him.

"I hope you find who did this." Hail called out after them as they neared the exit, the eyes of Hail's employees boring into them.

"So do we." Emily smiled slightly and left with JJ at her side. The women barely even glanced at one another until the doors of the SUV were shut. Without a word, Emily took out her cell phone and dialed Hotch's number.

"How'd it go?" his voice echoed in the car.

"He definitely knows something but I don't see us being able to get it out of him anytime soon." She told him. "He's too comfortable being questioned."

"He didn't bother you, did he?" Hotch's voice softened slightly and Emily didn't miss the grin that formed on JJ's lips. Clearly, the man didn't know he was on speaker.

"We're fine Hotch." The use of his last name clued the man in and he cleared his throat.

"Let's regroup back at the station; Garcia has something for us." He said quickly before hanging up. As Emily put the car into reverse, she avoided JJ's questioning glare.

"So what do you think?" The brunette asked her friend, eager to break their uneasy silence.

"That I better be a bridesmaid." The younger woman chuckled, earning herself a disapproving glance and a smack in the shoulder.

This chapter was a little difficult to write as it sets up the board for the entire story. Please let me know what you think and if you want to see anything specific happen. I'll do my best to make sure it does!