Alex entered the bar and scanned the room unable to find anyone she was looking for. She approached the counter and leaned over toward Beni who was cutting up limes. "Have you seen Spencer this morning?"
"Yes, he was in here very early today. He mentioned having some sport with Derek," Beni replied.
"Some sport?" Alex was confused by his accent.
"By the beach," Beni pointed the knife he was holding toward the door.
Alex nodded then exited. After walking toward the water she noticed there was a small crowd gathered around the volleyball court. She chuckled making her way toward the throng of onlookers.
Reid and Morgan were in a match against another two-man team. It appeared that they had been at this for a while. Morgan was wearing nothing but cargo shorts while Reid had an opened shirt with his swim trunks on and both were drenched in sweat.
Alex crossed her arms as she watched the ball volley back and forth over the net several times without landing. Reid and Morgan were the perfect team. However, equally matched with their Australian counterparts.
The crowd let out their cheers as Morgan dove down with his arms out and was able to hit the ball back into the air. Reid got under and bumped the ball back up into play; then Morgan came from behind spiking the ball directly between the two men. Morgan and Reid congratulated each other then shook hands with the opposing team.
Alex forced her way through the people as they dispersed. "Good job, guys," she clapped slowly.
"Is she mocking us?" Morgan jokingly scoffed.
"So, which one of you is Goose?" Alex snickered.
Morgan used a towel to wipe off the sand from his chest. "I'm Maverick all the way, baby."
"You wish, I'm totally Maverick," Reid countered. "I feel the need…"
"The need… for speed." They said in unison then slapped their hands together.
Alex nodded, "yup, you're both Goose."
Reid threw his arm over her shoulder. "Oh come on, you love it."
"I regret showing you that movie," Alex smirked.
Morgan sauntered toward Garcia, JJ, and Prentiss who were lounging on the beach chairs soaking up the sun. He took a seat next to Garcia's legs. "Hey Mama, what did you think of yours truly?"
Garcia kept her focus on the Australian volleyball players who were chatting together. Morgan looked back to the shirtless men then again to his friend and snapped his fingers in front of her face.
JJ leaned over to touch Morgan's arm. "I think she's giving up her hot chocolate for that thunder from down under."
"Pfft, figures." Morgan got up then noticed a group of girls in bikinis and wasted no time meeting up with them.
"He got over that quickly," Prentiss laughed. "Hey Alex, come and join us."
"Thanks, but I can't. I have a few things I need to do before the dinner tonight. Has anyone heard from Rossi?" She asked.
JJ lifted up her large brimmed hat toward Alex. "He's in my ear now." She referred to the earwig that she and Rossi were both communicating with. "He confirmed that Sloane was at the café having brunch; he will advise when he has an update."
"Is everything still on schedule for tonight?" Garcia looked to Alex.
"Yes, Aaron is moving over to the Royale today to get set up in our room," Alex stood with her hands on her hips.
"Sharing a room with Hotch, that sounds like a barrel of laughs," Prentiss joked.
"I was in prison for six years, spending some time with Aaron will be a far better experience," Alex smirked.
Reid gulped from his bottle of water then used the remainder to splash over his face. He wiped the water through his hair as he approached the girls. "I am going to hit the showers; anyone want to come with?" He winked at Alex.
"Oh sorry," she let out a playful sigh. "Some of us actually have work to do." She grabbed onto his hand, "come on, I will walk with you."
"Remember, we don't have to go through this. This whole thing rests on your shoulders," Reid pointed out.
"Is this supposed to be a pep talk?"
"It's a harsh truth. If you don't want to go through with this, I will support you, but it's your decision. Yours alone," Reid squeezed her hand.
"I will be fine. I have handled worst things. I practically had all my teeth pulled out a year ago, I think I can handle a dinner with the man I despise more than anyone else for a few hours."
"Everything will be fine," Reid reassured her as the two approached the hotel.
"So, how are we going to play this?" Alex smirked.
"Paraguay?" Reid suggested.
"I was running for my life to cross the border into Argentina and you were no help at all."
Reid laughed, "I'm sorry, I was in Costa Rica and couldn't make it."
"I know what you were doing in Costa Rica," Alex playfully sneered.
"I got it. Oahu," he announced.
Alex nodded, "yeah, I can do that." The two laughed with each other.
Hotch finished unpacking into his new hotel room at the Royale when he went to answer the knock on his door and allowed Reid and Rossi in.
"Has Alex moved over, yet?" Rossi asked.
"Not yet," Hotch looked uncomfortable.
"Just because you are sharing a bed with her doesn't mean you actually have to sleep with her," Rossi explained. "Unless you want to."
Hotch and Reid both stared back at Rossi
"It's just a joke," Rossi smirked defensively.
"So, how are we supposed to keep tabs on Sloane after this dinner? There's no guarantee that he will want to spend more time with us," Hotch questioned.
"He already exposed his weakness by showing an interest in Alex but we can't depend on that to sustain his attention to us." Reid explained.
Hotch tilted his head, "what do you propose?"
"We will run a Shawshank on him."
"A prison brake?" Rossi was perplexed.
"No, we run a con on him, gain his trust, but then use that against him in the end." Reid clarified.
"How are we supposed to do that?"
"By giving him something he wants… needs. Your cover story will be as an attorney. Which works well in our favor since you are one." Reid handed Hotch his sports coat. "So, what have we profiled about con men?"
"The closer the con is to the truth, the easier it is to remember and the more comfortable it is to covey the lie believably," Hotch explained.
"Exactly. Only tell him information we want him to know. That is the only way we are going to get what we need from him."
Rossi picked up Hotch's watch from the table and handed it to him. "Are you going to be okay with this?"
"Yes, we need to get this guy," Hotch fastened it to his wrist.
"Everything will be fine. I will be close by if you need anything. Also, Alex always carries a blade on her."
"Why don't I find that comforting?" Hotch stared skeptically at Reid.
Rossi couldn't help but let out a chuckle as Hotch left the hotel room.
Hotch exited the elevator and strolled into the restaurant. He glanced at the people gathered at the bar but didn't notice Alex. He figured that he made it there first, he went to the empty stool and took a seat.
Suddenly a rocks glass of scotch was placed in front of him by the patron to his left. Hotch was slightly startled, then noticed that it was Alex who had been sitting next to him in an emerald cocktail dress. Her normally wild, curly hair was pulled up in a twist and wore make-up for the first time in weeks.
"Alex…" he stammered. "I'm sorry, I didn't recognize you." He stared at her wondering where her knife was hidden.
"I took the liberty of ordering you a single malt."
Hotch picked up the tumbler and tasted the sweet oak flavors. He then stared at the glass as he pulled it from his lips. "Bowmore?"
"Very good, Mr. Hodges," Alex smirked. "Now can you guess the year?"
Hotch let out a grin, "I'm afraid I am not that good."
Alex held up an identical glass in her hand. "This is an eighteen-year-old scotch. Can you imagine having to wait eighteen years to see if all your hard work paid off?"
"No, I don't think I could be that patient," he grinned.
"Good things come to those who wait." Julian Sloane said as he stood behind the couple. "Oh, my dear Alex, you are a vision of loveliness."
Hotch stood up, "Mr. Sloane." The men shook hands.
"Please, we are all friends here. Call me Julian." He turned to toward the dining room. "I see our table is ready." He held out his arm, allowing them to walk toward their table first.
Alex took Hotch's hand and gave him a reassuring squeeze. The trio was seated and exchanged in welcoming small talk.
Reid sat at the bar and ordered a drink. He had a good view to keep an eye on their mark. He watched as all of Alex and Hotch's apprehension melted away and they eased into their characters.