Working the Case

     This is an excerpt from a Criminal Minds story I’m working on for fanfiction.  Jenny is my own creation and I claim her, but the Criminal Minds characters belong to their creator.   The dialogue will be written in story context when I post there, but for this prompt, this is what I did.   

     Jenny Wilkers blended in with the tour group making sure not to touch anyone or stand too close so that a slight movement from them would cause contact.  She needed the distance.  Her gaze went to the woman at the head of the group dressed in a period costume from the late eighteen hundreds.  She listened as the woman went over the guidelines, reminding everyone that it would be necessary to stay with the group and not wander off on their own.  Her voice became hushed as she said, “Part of the grounds have been closed off so the FBI can investigate a crime scene.”

     There were oohs and ahs, but she disregarded them.  Her attention was already focused on getting where she needed to go.  This was the dangerous part of her plan.  They might just throw her in a cell and refuse to listen, but she’d had no choice.  It was imperative that she do what she had so that lives would be spared. 

     She followed along as the tour began, the voice of their guide droning on yet not really registering as she listened instead the voice inside her that told her where she needed to go.

     It wasn’t until they reached the dark corridor that she slipped away from the group and made her way through the passage that would take her to where she needed to be.  The area was dark, but she didn’t need a light to help her move through the area, instead she followed the trail that she was seeing in her head.  When she reached the other end, she reached out to pull the lever that had the door opening.  As she stepped out, she made sure her hands were in the air as four guns were suddenly trained on her for several seconds before the weapons were lowered.

Hotch:  “This is a crime scene.  You’re not allowed here.”

Jenny:  “I had to come.  I know where Jack and Henry are.”

J.J. (rushing forward):  “Where’s Henry?”

Jenny:  “They’re both safe.  There was no choice.”

Hotch (a fierce look on his face as he stepped forward, his hand reaching out to take hold of her arm):  “Where are our children?”

Jenny (stepping back out of his reach):  “They’re safe.”

J.J. (with tears in her eyes):  “Who put you up to this?  You can’t be that much more than They’re little boys!  How dare you use them as pawns in some sick game?”

Jenny (Shakes her head):  “That’s not why I took them.  We can’t talk here.”

Rossi (stepping forward):  “Then maybe you’d like us to arrest you and take you back to the BAU office with us so we can get some answers.”

Jenny (wincing as she let out a sigh):  “That wouldn’t be my first choice.”

Morgan:  “Then just what is your end game, little girl?”

Jenny (pulling her bottom lip between her teeth and biting down slightly):  “It’s complicated.  I need to explain, but I can’t do it here.”  (She looked around at the scene, shuddering as her gaze landed on the spot where the body had been)  “This isn’t real.  It was staged to throw you off because you were getting too close.”

Rossi (an air of disdain):  “Let me guess, you think you’re psychic and taking the children was your way of convincing us to listen to you on this case?”

Jenny (turning to Rossi):  “No.  I know you don’t believe in psychics.”

Rossi (a smirk on his face):  “You’re right, I don’t.  So, why don’t you just tell us where Jack and Henry are so we can get them back where they belong?”

Jenny (looking at the four in front of her as Reed and Blake join them)

Blake (looking puzzled):  “Jenny?  What are you doing here?”

Hotch (turning to Blake):  “You know this person?”

Blake (Nodding):  “She’s in a couple of my classes.”

J.J.:  “She claims to have Henry and Jack.”

Blake:  “Why, Jenny?”

Jenny (looking hesitantly at Rossi):  “I’ll tell you everything, but I can’t do it here.  We need to get out of here, now!” (She stood still, facing them all down.)

Blake (nodding):  “All right.  Let’s move this back to the office.”

Jenny (shaking her head):  “He’s watching.”

Blake:  “Then where do you suggest we go?”

Jenny (hesitating before straightening to her full five feet):  “The passageway that brought me here has another branch that will lead us to a safe place.  But then, you have to be willing to trust me that this isn’t a trap.”

Hotch (studying her intently):  “Give us one reason why we should trust you.”

Jenny (looking around nervously before stepping forward so she was standing directly in front of Hotch, she lifted her eyes till she met his gaze, her voice a bare whisper of sound):  “Haley sent me to get him.  She wanted him to work the case with me.”

Hotch (stiffening):  “How long have you been stalking us?”

Jenny (shaking her head):  “Time’s running out.  Either come with me now, or it will be too late.”

Hotch, Reed, Morgan, J.J., and Rossi all turned to look at Blake. 

Blake (motioning toward the door Jenny had come through):  “Lead the way.”

     Jenny gave a brisk nod and led the team to the location she knew would be safe.  She knew they would want their answers, she just hoped they’d accept what she told them.  She already knew that Rossi would be a hard sell, but J.J. would be an easier sell.