It was a vigilant forest ranger who spotted the truck about an hour later as it rattled down a dusty fire trail.
As he said later, "I know the Mercer's truck and I could tell that that wasn't their dogs bouncing around behind the front seat."
He immediately called in the coordinates and then continued to discretely follow the truck. The Fairfield City Police, in conjunction with the Michigan State Police, quickly closed in on it and, after a brief chase through the woods, both adults were tackled to the ground. Paige had fallen at the beginning of the chase and been left behind. Thankfully, she appeared to be unhurt.
"She's our granddaughter," Mrs. Mercer screeched as she was handcuffed. "We'll get her back!"
"You never had her to start with," Carl snapped at her. "And, besides, I think you will both be going to prison for a long, long time."
"We didn't do that much wrong," Mr. Mercer complained. "Just took that spoiled kid for a ride. She did nothing but scream and carry on the entire time."
"You assaulted a public servant while she engaged in the performance of her duties," Hotch pointed out. "And that is a felony. Theoretically, you could go away for life."
"Lawyer," Mrs. Mercer demanded. "I want a lawyer!"
"Paige, are you okay?" Laurel was sitting on the ground with her arms around her sobbing daughter, holding and rocking her. "Don't worry. Aunt Lois and Uncle Joel are on their way and, when they get here, we can take you to the hospital."
"I don't want to go to the hospital," Paige sobbed. "I want to go home!"
"I know, Sweetie, but we need to get those bumps and bruises checked out," Laurel told her gently. "And, besides, if you don't go, Missy won't go, and she really needs to get that bump on her head checked."
"Missy?" Paige asked, looking around. "She was really nice and they hurt her."
"I know, Honey, and that's why both of you have to go to the hospital," Laurel said. "Now, I see your Uncle Joel's truck pulling up. Let's stand up, go on over, and catch our ride."
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
"How is everyone?" Hotch strode into the hospital waiting room. After making sure that Paige and Laurel were safely on their way to the hospital, he had stayed behind with the police, outlining the various charges against the Mercers and making sure that they were securely locked up in the local jail.
"They want to keep Missy overnight to check for a concussion," Lois reported. "Strictly as a precaution."
"Paige has been cleared to leave," Joel told him. "Laurel is with her now getting instructions and signing paperwork."
"She was mostly shook up," Lois explained. "However, she did get a tetanus shot. Heaven only knows what was in that truck cab."
"I assume Missy has family," Hotch said. "Have they been notified?"
"Her husband is on his way over," Joel replied. "He should be here any minute now."
"We'll wait until he gets here," Laurel said as she and Paige walked into the waiting room. "We need to apologize to him for what happened."
"It's not your fault," Lois told her. "You had no way of knowing what the Mercers were planning to do."
"But I feel bad about it," Laurel explained. "I know their reputation and I should have expected something like that."
"Listen to Lois," the man's voice came from behind her. "It's not your fault. You are not responsible for their actions. And, from what I understand, Missy is going to be just fine."
"Lance Chancellor," he introduced himself. "I'm Missy's husband." He held out his hand to Hotch.
"Aaron Hotchner," Hotch replied, shaking hands. "And, you have to at least let us know if there is anything we can do for you and Missy. We put her in a potentially dangerous situation. I should have suspected something."
"You're with the FBI?" Lance questioned.
"Yes," Hotch confirmed. "The Behavioral Analysis Unit."
"Well, there is one thing," the man smiled at him.
"Name it," Hotch told him.
"I teach at the Fairfield High School," Lance explained. "And, every fall we hold a Career Day for our students. Could I get you to come and give a presentation?"
"Just let me know the date." Hotch took out a business card and handed it to him. "And, not only will I be there but I will bring several other members of my team with me as well."