Miguel and Raul entered the house as Lester, Emilio, and Hector cooked dinner while tending to the children. "Have you heard?" Miguel asked, cupping Stephanie's cheek when she stood to greet him properly.
"Yes," Stephanie sighed. "It was the same when I went on maternity leave with Alejandro. Whoever is doing this wants the director to think I'm responsible. There's only one person I know who doesn't like me."
"Josh Morgan," Miguel and Raul said together.
"He has it stuck in his head that I'm like his ex-wife, Belinda, and I'm using Miguel to advance my position in the FBI while hooking up with Ranger," Stephanie explained, shaking her head. She loved Ranger, but nothing except her death would make her leave Miguel.
"Does he believe you got your job through nepotism?" Raul asked.
Stephanie shrugged. "Grandpa had nothing to do with Agent Jareau hiring me as the intern. I wrote the exams with the recruits and passed with flying colours. Agent Jareau asked me to apply for the internship. I competed with the other potential candidates who recently graduated from college or university for the position. Grandpa knew I had a meeting with Agent Jareau, but that was the extent of his involvement," she explained. "When Ruby left the FBI to work with her husband, I was offered the job. The board voted for it. Director Hastings said it was unanimous and offered me the position."
"Hastings offered you the job knowing you were about to start maternity leave," Miguel added. Stephanie nodded, letting Raul know Miguel was correct.
"Why would Josh do this?" Raul asked.
"He probably blames Stephanie for my request to change partners," Miguel surmised.
"I think he wants me to pay for his ex-wife's sins," Stephanie argued. She shook her head and continued researching Josh Morgan's background, hoping Josh wasn't involved despite the evidence proving he was at least partially responsible.
"Why are you conducting the in-depth investigation? Aren't you the liaison?" Raul asked. "And why are you discussing this with us?"
"I am the liaison. Part of my job involves digging into details to determine if and when I need to bring the agencies together to solve the issue. And I'm discussing this with you two because your latest report for the director indicated the issue," Stephanie explained, hoping they understood what she had attempted to say. She glanced toward the kitchen, smiling when Lester loudly described her workout routine for the morning and what she hoped to accomplish in only four months.
"Who did the director assign as Josh's partner?" Miguel asked when it became apparent they could quietly continue their conversation.
"Bart Benedict, but he transferred to the LA office," Stephanie explained. She stopped talking when Lester finished telling his story. Stephanie typed everything out on her computer to explain the situation further. She told the men that Nicola had discovered Bart had requested a new partner because Josh was trying to direct his life. When the director couldn't find someone in the Quantico office to trade, he sent Benedict to LA and brought a new agent to town. Stephanie was trying to find the name but had trouble pinning them down. The man or woman probably had killer computer skills or friends in high places.
"Dinner's ready," Lester called from the kitchen. He didn't want to interrupt Stephanie while she explained the situation, which occupied her attention when they got home. Lester was happy to keep the children busy as Stephanie worked. Mateo was reasonably easy to watch. Giving him a bottle, changing his diaper and talking to him in Spanish always calmed him.
Stephanie sent Derrick Hastings an email asking for a closed-door meeting. He replied with a time for the following day. She hoped he would approve of her plan. There was only one way to trap Josh. Stephanie shut down her laptop to join the men in the dining room for dinner. Her stomach grumbled at the fine Mexican cuisine the men prepared. Miguel walked Raul to the door when he mentioned going home to Isabella and the girls. Stephanie smiled when Miguel joined her at the table a few minutes later.
Everything was delicious. The flavours made Stephanie's taste buds rejoice. She moaned her satisfaction as she ate a second helping of everything Emilio and Hector cooked. Alejandro ate the chicken and rice dish Emilio made especially for him. It wasn't overly spicy but had enough for Alejandro to enjoy.
Alejandro wanted Stephanie to put him to bed. She fed Mateo his nighttime bottle and passed him to Miguel. Stephanie bathed Alejandro before dressing him in his Batman pyjamas. She sat on his bed to read him a story, smiling when Miguel entered to rock Mateo to sleep in the rocking chair. Miguel could have used the one in Mateo's bedroom, but he wanted the boys to share the moment. It would become a routine after that night.
Mateo and Alejandro fell asleep before Stephanie reached the end of the story. She returned the book to the shelf, keeping it with Alejandro's other favourite books. Stephanie kissed Alejandro's forehead and tucked the blankets around his torso. He smiled in his sleep. She brushed Mateo's cheek with her finger and motioned, with her chin, for Miguel to follow her.
Miguel waited until Stephanie kissed Mateo's cheek before placing him in the crib. He stroked Mateo's nose and tucked him beneath the blanket. When Miguel stepped from Mateo's bedroom, he closed the door and accepted Stephanie's extended hand. They returned to the main floor to spend a few more minutes with their guests before leaving for their homes.
Stephanie and Miguel made slow, sweet love without Mateo waking up to interrupt them. She pulled one of Miguel's shirts over her head, using it as a nightgown. Miguel chuckled while tugging on his boxers. He tossed a pair of panties to Stephanie, knowing she would be upset about getting a bottle for Mateo while half-dressed.
Mateo woke up at midnight and again at five. Stephanie sang softly to Mateo for his midnight feeding. Since Miguel was awake by five, he handled that feeding, letting Stephanie sleep a little longer and enjoying the time alone with his son. She woke up at six when Miguel brewed coffee and made breakfast. Stephanie got Alejandro ready for the day, grabbing a few more outfits for Gia to change him.
Alejandro followed Stephanie down the stairs as she carried her clothes to the main floor washroom. She tucked them inside the drawer she had emptied for this purpose.
Miguel kissed Alejandro's forehead when he sat at the table. Stephanie ruffled Alex's hair as she placed the eggs, sausage and toast dish near his hands. Alex grinned before digging into his breakfast. Stephanie quickly went to the basement to gather the clothes Alejandro had soiled the previous day when he failed to get to the potty in time.
"I'll fold, Sweetheart. You sit and eat," Miguel ordered. Stephanie rolled her eyes but let her thoughtful husband tend to the clothes. He folded them with military precision and ease as Alejandro watched in fascination. "Remember, Alejandro, domestic chores such as folding laundry and washing dishes are not the woman's sole responsibility," Miguel said, giving Alejandro sage advice while making Stephanie happy.
"I help," Alejandro replied.
"Finish your breakfast and wash your hands. You can help me put these clothes away," Miguel suggested. Stephanie giggled when Alex shoved the food into his mouth, barely chewing before swallowing.
"Not so fast with the sausages, mi hijo. You'll choke," Stephanie warned, pulling the sausage from Alex's hand. She cut them into more manageable pieces.
Miguel waited for Alejandro to follow his instructions. Stephanie finished eating and went after Alejandro, hoping he remembered to use the potty. She cautiously opened the bathroom door, finding Alejandro sitting on the toilet. His face displayed pride in making it to the washroom without peeing his pants.
Alex proudly exclaimed, "I did it! I pwoud."
"I'm proud of you too, buddy. Now, wash your hands so you can help Papa put the laundry away," Stephanie said. Alejandro moved his step stool closer to the sink. He stretched on his tippy toes to reach the tap. Stephanie braced herself to catch him if he fell, but Alejandro managed to wash his hands without assistance.
Alejandro ran past Stephanie to help his Papa. He chattered excitedly as he followed Miguel upstairs. Stephanie shook her head and entered the living room where Miguel had left Mateo in the playpen. Mateo was sleeping peacefully, his lips pursed as though dreaming about eating. Smiling, Stephanie reached into the playpen to stroke his cheek. He smiled before returning to his dreams.
Raul picked up Miguel, and they rode to the office together. They had an early meeting with the other BAU agents to discuss the latest human trafficking ring. It seemed like an endless battle. Whenever they caught and arrested one group, another had taken over. The men at Rangeman would need to visit Mexico soon. Miguel hoped he and Raul could accompany the team since they had the credentials to remove the men from Mexico instead of having the local police handle the situation. It was that upcoming mission someone in the FBI was compromising.
Gia arrived in time for Stephanie to leave for her meeting with Derrick Hastings. Stephanie let Gia know Hector would be there shortly after Rangeman's morning meeting. Gia wished Stephanie luck.
Stephanie had gathered every piece of the puzzle required to prove her case to the boss and felt she was on the correct path in capturing Josh and his accomplice. Accepting the job offer at the Pentagon was the last resort. She was good at her job, and the Pentagon wanted her to work with them. Stephanie had declined the position since she was on maternity leave with Mateo and loved her career at the FBI.
Shortly after her arrival at headquarters, Miguel texted Stephanie that their meeting had just ended. With the director's approval, Josh Morgan left to question patrons at the local restaurant where the unknown subject was last seen. He exited the building from the side entrance instead of the front, where Stephanie went. She thanked Miguel for the update, assuring him she didn't accidentally bump into Josh.
Stephanie went to see Derrick Hastings, the FBI's BAU department director. She hoped he would arrive at the same conclusion. Her palms were damp when she shook his hand, abiding by the formalities upon requesting a meeting. Stephanie sat in one of the chairs assigned to visitors. She cleared her throat and launched into the intel she collected and why she suspected Josh Morgan was behind the betrayal.
Derrick listened as Stephanie described the trap she wanted to set for Josh. She would work with Rangeman's best IT technician to get everything situated. "Why aren't you using Nicola to assist?" Derrick asked.
"I know she isn't involved, but I want to protect her from the potential backlash if I'm right about this. It wouldn't surprise me if Josh claims Nicola fabricated the intel. Having the trap set without her input would be best in maintaining her department's integrity," Stephanie explained. She wanted Hector to set the trap.
"Who do you suspect is assisting Josh?" Derrick asked.
"His partner or another government official trying to replace you with Josh," Stephanie replied. She failed to mention that Josh was seeking her termination from the FBI. Part of the trap was to issue a statement of her dismissal and see who gloats.
"Why would Josh do this to you?" Derrick wondered. However, he suspected it involved the Rangeman contract and the Pentagon trying to transfer Stephanie to their offices.
"I negotiated to bring Rangeman on board to assist with the difficult cases. The FBI prides itself on their tenacity and research to capture the criminals. However, there are places where the FBI needs to infiltrate that having the military or Rangeman's assistance keeps the civilians safe," Stephanie reasoned.
Derrick nodded because her logic was sound. "Show me," Derrick said, pointing to Stephanie's laptop. She opened it and went to the intel both she and Nicola gathered. The issues began when Stephanie accepted the liaison position during her maternity leave with Alejandro. It escalated until her return, when it stopped.
"Nicola and I noticed an uptick in activity now that I'm on leave with Mateo. It's worse this time around," Stephanie explained. "I'm afraid anyone on the outside looking in would assume I'm the culprit."
"Can someone hack into your home network?" Derrick asked. It wasn't something Stephanie had considered. She raised a finger and called Hector.
"Hola, hermano. What do you need?" Hector answered.
Stephanie smiled as she asked, "Is it possible for someone to hack into my home network or work computer?"
She listened as Hector's fingers clacked across the keyboard. "No. I secured both and detected no traces of anyone tampering with your router or connecting another cable. Your home doesn't contain bugs or other listening devices," Hector replied. "Let me check the baby monitor."
Stephanie rolled her eyes as she waited for Hector to return. "Is he at your house?" Derrick asked.
"Yup. Hector promised to be there during our meeting in case I needed to have him check things around the house," Stephanie replied, making Derrick grin. He loved her preparedness for every situation.
"The baby monitor is secure, and nobody has access to the nanny cam in the nursery. Your home is secured from electronic threats," Hector explained.
"Thanks for checking, Hector," Stephanie replied.
"De nada," he said and hung up.
"Should we get this started?" Stephanie asked.
"Yes." Derrick watched Stephanie type her termination papers. She included the correct signatures and departments. He noted the date and time, recording the details in his report to indicate the paperwork was written to draw the perpetrator into the open. Derrick encrypted and saved the file to a flash drive, removing all access to his computer in case Nicola happened to be assisting Josh.
That night, after Derrick issued the memo, the arrogant asshole went to the local bar and purchased a round of drinks for everyone. Josh wasn't aware Pete Bolton from Rangeman Boston was in the bar, waiting for his cousin, Bobby Brown and his friend, Lester Santos, to arrive for drinks. Pete sent a message to the guys to pick up on the video call, but don't talk. Bobby raised a brow. Pete panned around the bar, showing Bobby and Lester what Josh was doing. They thought Josh was an idiot, especially when he called his friend, Wally, to brag.
Lester paid the waitress to flirt with Josh to find out who he was speaking to on the phone. She waited until she brought Lester's receipt with the details written on the back. "Thanks, gorgeous," Lester said without looking at the receipt. He gave her a few hundred dollars, which covered more than the food and beverage cost.
"Well? Who was he talking to?" Bobby asked when they got into the Rangeman SUV. Pete had taken a cab to the bar. He planned to hitch a ride back to Rangeman with Bobby to stay in his apartment.