Chapter 9 –

Reid raised his eyebrows as he watched Dave and the loud combination of expletives that left his mouth as he kicked the dirt around the SUV before he slammed his hands on the hood.

"Well I suppose that's better than taking his frustrations out on Davis."

Hotch let out a deep heavy sigh as he turned and looked at Reid who frowned as the two men walked slowly over to where Dave was still letting out his anger.

"To be honest after reading his file I thought that he would say something even if it was to antagonise us."

"Unfortunately Sam Davis isn't stupid, he has spent years planning this, staying silent no matter what we said or showed him was the perfect way to annoy us."

Reid nodded his head as the two of them stopped, eyeing Dave carefully as he turned his head and looked at them, the anger sill clearly evident on his face.

"I want the contents of his cell."

Dave's voice was low as he spat the words out before Hotch held out a cardboard box.

"Already taken care of, I suggest that we head back to the jet and regroup."

"Have you heard from Morgan or JJ?"

Dave glared at his friends but they both knew that the anger wasn't directed at them as Reid examined his cell.

"They're now driving back."

"Good."

Dave nodded his head as he climbed into the driver's seat of the SUV, Hotch opened his mouth ready to protest but thought better of it, and at least they would now get back to the jet quickly with Dave driving.

JJ could feel the eyes bearing down on her and Morgan as she glanced briefly at him before she closed her eyes momentarily and it was at that point that Kate finally took the opportunity to confront them.

"I knew that he would find out! So dad got you to run background checks on John did he? Let me guess he is a serial killer waiting to happen?"

Kate threw her arms up in exasperation as Morgan started the SUV and slowly pulled away, keeping a watchful eye on the traffic and for anyone who might be following them, breathing a sigh of relief that he didn't have to give Kate any explanation.

"No sweetie it's nothing like that, I'm really sorry to turn up unannounced but we just need to get you home."

JJ smiled as she turned around and looked at Kate, immediately noticing that her emotion had changed from one of anger to one of concern and worry.

"What's happened? Is it mom? Dad?"

The words flew quickly out of Kate's mouth as she looked anxiously at JJ but the older woman smiled reassuringly while she shook her head.

"Everybody is fine, there has been a security alert and your mom and dad are just being cautious."

"Ok but why didn't them come themselves?"

"They've both been called in and well we volunteered, it's been a while since we've seen you!"

The grin on JJ's face was infectious as Kate rolled her eyes and smiled back.

"But it was a good thing that we did come, now come on kid give me the low down on this guy, I want to make sure that he is good enough for you!"

Morgan laughed as he glanced in the mirror and winked at Kate whose groans filled the vehicle as she leant back and closed her eyes.

"Is it too much to ask for just a tiny piece of privacy?"

"Yes!"

JJ and Morgan spoke in unison as soft laughter filled the car and in her mind JJ was pleased as she knew that when they got back Kate's world was going to get turned upside down.

He sat on the hard mattress and turned his back to the metal door, yet again he had been moved, this time to a cell that was entirely devoid of anything except for the essentials. Sam knew that they would be watching him, the tiny camera in the ceiling was well hidden but he had anticipated being moved there and had mentally prepared himself for this stage of the plan. Bending down so he could be certain that his face was obscured he finally allowed the smile to creep across, it really was working and working exactly as he planned. The silent treatment had been difficult, they had stroked his ego and at times he had nearly broken but finally he had won out and he knew that it was time to move to the next stage. The instructions had been given to the one person he trusted implicitly and that they would be watching closely for the response of the BAU agents, then the correct correspondence would be chosen and dispatched to the soldier, the war had definitely begun.

Emily jumped up at the sound of the doorbell, thoughts about Kate were at the forefront of her mind and she quickly wanted to see if it was her at the door but as she stood up Emily felt a firm but gently hand on her shoulder.

"I'll go Emily."

Alex smiled as she spoke, trying to ease Emily's frustrations but Alex knew that she was fighting a losing battle.

"Ok but if it's Kate send her through to me."

"Of course."

Alex nodded as she walked out of the room subconsciously reaching and placing her hand on her weapon as she walked towards the door, stopping to check who was there before she opened it.

"Erin."

Alex tried not to let her annoyance show as she held the door open just wide enough for Strauss to enter, now Deputy Director of the FBI Strauss was still held in contempt by most of the BAU but her connections obviously still served her well as she nodded her head at Alex.

"Where is everybody?"

"Emily and Garcia are in the dining room at the back."

"And Rossi, Hotchner and Reid are now travelling back from McCleary."

"You seem better informed than I am Erin."

"Have you heard from Kate yet?"

"No but JJ let Garcia know that they are now bringing her back here and should be back any moment now."

"Good as soon as she is here we need to move Kate and Emily to a more secure place."

Alex raised her eyebrows but Erin ignored her and walked through the house.

"Hello Agent Prentiss."

"Ma'am?"

Emily raised her head in confusion as she looked at Alex who just shrugged her shoulders while Erin reached down and picked up the photos, examining them closely for a few seconds.

"We need to move you from here straight away Agent Prentiss, I'll arrange for Agent Morgan to bring Kate to the safe house."

Emily opened her mouth to reply but Strauss had already turned so that her back was facing Emily as she spoke quietly and quickly into her cell, leaving Emily to wonder what else had happened.