Chapter 14 –
Hotch frowned as he turned to drive the SUV up the dirt path, hearing Morgan sigh he slowed down and glanced at his colleague.
"I don't like the look of this Hotch."
"We need to be careful, he is a trained soldier the cabin may well be booby trapped."
"As well as the road going up."
"What are you suggesting Derek, that we go on foot?"
Hotch slowed the vehicle right down as he turned to face Morgan but the look of concern on his face ensured that Hotch stopped the SUV.
"I think that it would be safer, yeah."
Hotch nodded his head before he turned around to look at Reid who had a slight expression of apprehension adorning his face.
"We'll follow Morgan's lead ok Reid?"
"Yes, yes of course."
Reid stuttered momentarily before he followed Morgan's lead and stepped out of the SUV, instinctively un-holstering his gun as the three of them as they moved, Morgan using hand signals before the cabin came into sight and smoke continued to rise from the small chimney and the three of them stopped behind a large shrub.
"There's a trip wire across the path."
Morgan's whispered voice was barely audible but Reid and Hotch soon got the picture as Morgan pointed to the thin piece of wire.
"Right no rushing, slowly we go up to the front door."
Reid and Morgan nodded, Reid's deep intake of breath loud enough to be heard above the rustling of the leaves as they bristled in the breeze.
He stretched out his arms in a set pattern, then his quadriceps before finally his neck, it was a routine he had learnt in the army, when he used to have to lie still for hours on end until he would pull the trigger. He had been in rural and urban environments and he had to admit to himself that this was one of the best, there was no way that they would be able to see him and after the deed was done no one would work out where he was and even if they did there would be no evidence, no indication that it had been him up there. As he watched he spotted the target, the photo had long since been consigned to his memory banks and there was no mistaking it was the correct one. He slowed his breathing right down as he concentrated hard until he pulled the trigger, he stayed still for ten seconds until he was satisfied that the bullet had hit and killed, then swiftly and silently he packed up his gear and headed down to his truck.
Morgan nodded his head as soon as he was confident that it was safe enough to enter the small cabin, it consisted of one room that had a bed in one corner and a small stone in the other.
"What the hell?"
Morgan frowned as he turned around and saw the large notice board that was full of photos and a large map in the middle, red lines were drawn from the photos to a point on the map, Morgan shook his head as he presumed that this was where the photos had been taken.
"He's been stalking them for some time then."
Hotch spoke firmly as he glanced at the photos before his finger pointed to one photo in particular.
"Who is this though?"
Hotch turned and looked at Reid and Morgan, Reid shook his head before he carried on trying to figure out if there was a particular pattern as Morgan took a step closer so he could get a better look at the photo.
"Crap!"
"What is it Morgan?"
The anticipation grew in Hotch's voice as he spoke while Morgan shook his head and rubbed his chin.
"That is the guy who was having coffee with Kate when JJ and I picked her up in New York, it's her boyfriend Hotch!"
Hotch nodded his head in acknowledgement, not saying a word as he got out his cell.
"Garcia we need you to find out where a...Morgan?"
"John, John Kersey, he goes to school with Kate."
"Did you get that Garcia, track him down and get him into protective custody."
Hotch didn't wait for a reply as he cut off the call and turned back to face Reid and Morgan.
"So what does this mean?"
"He wants to hurt Emily and knowing that we would move her to safety he has turned to a target that will cause them all pain."
"We need to arrange for the Ambassador's security to be stepped up too Hotch."
Hotch nodded in agreement at Reid and Morgan's assessments but his train of thought was interrupted as his cell rang, seeing Garcia's name on the display he quickly put it on speaker.
"We were too late!"
Garcia's painful sobs were audible to all of them as the three men bowed their heads before Hotch broke the uncomfortable silence.
"What happened Garcia?"
"He was shot from distance, died on the library steps. Did you want me to go and tell Kate?"
Morgan stared hard at Hotch as they listened to Garcia's broken voice but to Morgan's relief Hotch shook his head as he spoke.
"No we need your skills at the office Garcia. There is no way he'll come back here, see if you can identify the vehicle he is using."
"On it right away Sir."
"Thank you Garcia."
Hotch cut the call off and quickly dialled a familiar number as he turned away from Morgan and Reid.
"Jareau."
"Jen."
"Aaron is everything ok, are you all safe?"
"We're fine, he wasn't at the cabin."
"So why do I sense a slight apprehension in your voice?"
"There's been a shooting in New York."
"No! Who?"
"The young man who was having coffee yesterday with Kate, John Kersey, do you remember him?"
JJ's hand flew up to her mouth as she suddenly found words impossible to come by.
"Jen? Sweetie are you there?"
"I'm here Aaron, is he dead?"
"I'm afraid so."
"And you want me to break the news to Kate?"
"Sorry."
"It's not your fault Aaron, better me than some random agent, just give me five minutes to phone Alison to sit with the kids."
"Thank you Jen we'll be back in the morning, give the kids a kiss from me."
"Will do."
JJ puffed out her cheeks and stood up, quickly she tied her hair back in a ponytail before she walked through to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of water. The cell was still clasped tightly in her hand as she was about to phone the babysitter when the doorbell sounded, a heavy sigh left JJ's mouth as she checked before she opened the door.
"Ma'am?"
JJ was slightly aghast as Erin Strauss, dressed in jeans and a sweater stood on her doorstep but she quickly ushered her boss in before closing the door behind them.
"I heard the news and I wanted to help, I understand that you are going to break the news and thought that I could stay with the kids for you."
Erin smiled as she saw the confusion drip away from JJ's face before she nodded.
"Actually that would be great thanks, Henry and Jack are fast asleep and nothing will wake them until morning although Amy might wake up, she has a teddy that she likes."
"I'm sure that nothing that a nice cuddle won't solve though."
Erin smiled as JJ returned the gesture before she grabbed her bag and walked out of her house, dreading the conversation that she would have to have with Kate.