"I'm already on my way to Michigan," Hotch told Rossi a short time later when he called him. "We've wrapped up the case here and, when the rest of the team flies back to Quantico, I am going across the lake to meet with Laurel's brother. Joel has already spoken with the local police chief, and he has contacted both the state police and the Department of Natural Resources. If Bradley Mercer is living in those woods, we will find him."
"There is some pretty dense forest in that area, Hotch." Rossi could overhear JJ pointing out. "I remember what it looks like from the times when we went up there for Career Day at the local high school."
"It is approximately 717,500 square acres of forestland," Reid's voice could also be heard over the phone. "And most of it is second growth trees and bushes which can be quite dense in some spots. Also, there are bear, deer, and elk living in the area."
"You will probably need some additional help," Rossi could hear Morgan volunteering. "I might not be much of a woodsman, but I can help organize a grid search if necessary."
"My dad and brothers used to go hunting," Blake's voice chimed in. "And, Paige does have a right to know what happened to her father."
"It sounds like you won't be going alone," Rossi chuckled. "Call me when you get there."
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
"The forest rangers started out searching the area where the Mercers took Paige when they kidnapped her a little over two years ago." Upon their return to Quantico, the team had immediately accompanied Hotch to his house to brief Laurel, Rossi, Paige, and Jack on their findings.
"We suggested that they start there because we figured that there had to be a reason the Mercers headed into that area," Morgan continued. "It didn't take the rangers long to located a log cabin that appears to have been built at least 50, if not more, years ago. The assumption is that the Mercers have been maintaining an illegal structure on state land for at least two generations."
"The rangers called in the state police and, when they entered the cabin, they found – human remains – lying on a bunk. Preliminary examination suggests a white male in his late 20's to early 30's who has been there approximately five to seven years. The initial assumption is that it is Bradley Mercer. Cause of death is still to be determined," Blake concluded.
"Three sons and all dead – No wonder they came unhinged," JJ said softly. "What will happen to them now?"
"Well, they lied to the Anchorage Police when they originally claimed Robert's body," Hotch began. "And then they moved it across state lines. They also concealed Bradley's death from the Michigan authorities, as well as maintaining an illegal structure on state land. So, it will be up to the prosecutors of both states to get together and determine what they will be charged with."
"And then all the various paperwork will need to be straightened out," Reid added. "Particularly the death certificates."
"Whatever happens, the Mercers will undoubtedly be going away for a long, long time," Blake observed. "And you two," she looked over at Laurel and Paige, "Will never have to worry about them again."
"There is one more thing," Hotch told the group. "Laurel and I have been talking and, after all this is straightened out, I want to formally adopt Paige. That is, if it is okay with her."
He looked over at his step-daughter. "I want to make sure that no one can ever show up here again and attempt to take you away from our family – Ever!" he told her.
"Does that mean I'll get to call you Daddy?" Paige asked excitedly as she threw herself into his arms. "I have always wanted to do that."
"You can start right now," Hotch told her with tears in his eyes.