"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
― Margaret Mead
"How'd it go with Mr. Summers?" Reid asked as you entered the room, he was still analyzing the recordings with Garcia. "He said he doesn't know who would do this since he doesn't have that amount of money anywhere on him." Crystal sighed as she sat down, "It would make sense that the kidnapper would go after the Mitchell's since according to Mr. Summers they have money even with financial trouble, but Mr. Summers has nowhere near $500,000 on him." Reid nodded his head listening, "Maybe the kidnappers want to make him suffer?"
"Kidnappers?"
Reid grabbed the notes and brought it over to her, "Yes kidnappers, see look at the wording of 'Trying to not follow his instructions will result in my death' but then she says right after 'You have 24 hours after midnight before we start sending you pieces of your child to bury for their funeral'. See? They switch from saying 'his' to 'we' which makes me suspect that there are two or more kidnappers involved." Crystal scanned the notes that Reid had written all the recordings on and he was right, they all said this.
"Good catch Doc, I would have missed this if you hadn't pointed that out or if it wasn't in writing." Crystal was looking at the notes still, so she didn't see the way Reid's eyes widen a bit at her compliment.
He cleared his throat, "Well, yeah uh thanks." Crystal raises an eyebrow at him now that she's looking at him, "You okay there Dr. Reid?" He nodded this time and went back to his seat, and if you didn't know better you would think he looked a bit flush.
Maybe not complimented enough? Gotta change that, everyone needs to hear compliments.
"Garcia have you found anything on the Mitchell's and Summers?" Hotch asked as he stood by the board. "Nothing more than we already know from the file, I did find that Mrs. Summers medical bills were paid for in full by the Jay Mitchell. Apparently he was close to Rebecca Summers before they met their significant others and he even paid for some of the funeral costs. Rebecca was diagnosed with breast cancer 5 years ago and it's been a battle since. As for the last cell phone locations they put their last locations at the Summers resident before either dying or being shut off."
Crystal nodded, "Awfully nice of himto pay for her medical bills, try looking into their kids school records to see if there is anything weird please if it isn't to much trouble." Garcia feigned an offended look, "Honey I could do that with my eyes closed." She typed on her laptop for not even 5 minutes before results were given to Crystal, "Riley is a model student, very good grades and has many academic awards. The Mitchell's are...well they aren't the worse I've seen, but I'm shocked their parents are okay with these. They seem to have a lot of written up forms such as skipping class, leaving early, smoking, talking back, and I could go on."
Bunch of bad apples sheesh.
"Can you dig into their financial problem? How bad is it?" Reid asked as he continued analyzing the notes, "Whoa, according to their bank records one credit card has been overcharging over their limit for the past year. Looks like they are trying to sell their house to cover the payment overdue on the card, wonder who did this?" Garcia continued typing hoping she could find out who's credit card this was.
"Most likely Savannah, Mr. Summers said she was a shopper." Crystal stated as she sat down, she started to write down measurements. She did this every time she had to many thoughts on her mind.
"I hope you got something from Mr. Summers, all we got from the Mitchell's was screaming and arguing." Morgan said as he walked in while sighing, Rossi chuckled as he walked in after him. "Well there was also the one where Mrs. Mitchell tried to hit on you." Garcia laughed, "Trouble in paradise?"
"You have no idea, anytime Me or Rossi tried asking a question ended up with them yelling at the other saying 'why didn't you say anything' or 'why did you say it'. These people were a mess and I feel like they are hiding something from us."
Reid looks confused, "How so? Did they say anything?"
Rossi sat down, "Well if I'm being honest I wouldn't even think the Mitchell's had kids if we weren't on this case. No family pictures, no pictures of the kids, nothing to indicate that they even have children at all. Mr. Mitchell wasn't even a mess about the kids being gone since all he could think about was who was going to be the star quarterback for the next game if Jonny is gone and Mrs. Mitchell was working on her campaign to be reelected for council. The only time they would talk about their kids was if they were asked a question."
Crystal frowned with this information, what kind of parents are worried about their public images more than their own children? "Did you guys ask about Riley Summers?" Morgan nodded, "Yeah and they told us Riley was a bad influence on the twins, and said that if it weren't for the Summers and Mitchell family going way back then they wouldn't have let Riley be anywhere near their children."
"Did they say why?" Morgan looked at Crystal, "Did Mr. Summers say different?"
Crystal nodded, "Riley is a very intelligent and kind girl. I don't see how she could be a bad influence since she's at the top of her class." Morgan raised an eyebrow, "Mrs. Mitchell told us that Jonny got caught cheating on a test and has been acting out while Savannah has been sneaking cash, she claims Riley was the reason behind it. They also said that Riley was always coming over to mooch off of them."
Crystal was now confused, Mr. Summers claims the kids were always at his house most of the time and that Riley was a good kid, which she might believe more, but then the Mitchell's claim that Riley was a bad child who influenced their kids to act out.
"According to Mr. Summers they would hang out mostly at his house while he was at work and that even if the twins have flaws they are good kids. This isn't making sense, their stories don't match up."
"Well we're about to make it more messy." Crystal turned to see Emily and JJ coming in, "Apparently the Mitchell's were throwing the party, but then left out of nowhere with Riley. I'm guessing this is when the kidnapping happened and no one realized."
They threw the party?
"Was it not for a birthday?" Emily shook her head, "According to the kids who went this was because the football team was looking to make playoffs this year and Jonny wanted to celebrate. Why'd you think it was a birthday part?" Crystal continued writing measurements, "Mr. Summers told me Riley said she was attending a birthday party, I think she must have lied to him since he wouldn't have let her go otherwise. Apparently Jonny was a player and he didn't want him messing with her."
JJ got up to look at the board with all the information they had gathered so far, "Why take Riley? The Mitchell twins make sense since there could be motive behind their kidnappings since the parents have money and are well respected, but why Riley?" Emily pondered for a moment, "She might have just been at the wrong place at the wrong time, maybe the abductor just couldn't risk killing her or just taking the Mitchell's without being caught with Riley being there."
Reid didn't look convinced, "Maybe the target was Riley? According to the detective she was a normal girl in the town which wouldn't cause an uproar if her dad was always at work, so maybe the abductors tried to take Riley but realized the twins were always with them so they took all three of them?"
"Abductors?"
Crystal nodded, "Dr. Reid found that the recordings mentioned 'we' when saying the messages, so there is a high chance of there being more than one abductor involved especially if they took three teenagers out of nowhere."
"Baby girl can you get me a list of any reports of people being followed or anyone lurking outside the high school? You might have to go back 5 years." Morgan asked and Garcia immediately started typing, "Of course my sexy lump of chocolate goodness."
Hotch rubbed the bridge of his nose, "We need to figure out the truth if we're going to help these families get their children back, did the Mitchell's explain why they aren't here at the station?"
Rossi nodded, "They said it was an inconvenience during this time since they are busy right now and if we needed to question them we know where to find them." Hotch's jaw clenched, or maybe it was just Crystal's imagination?
"Tell them that their children are missing with the potential of not coming back alive as well as another girl's life if they are not willing to cooperate with us. Tell them I also suggest they come down to the station to help with the investigation so we can clear up what happened at the party that lead to the kidnapping because they less than 12 hours left before they receive the first piece of their children, sorry for the inconvenience but I want these teenagers to come back alive in one piece." Hotch got up and left the room.
Definitely saw his jaw clench.
Crystal now understood why Derek and Emily are a bit wary of saying something out of line to Hotch, the man was not one to be messed with.
"Well who's gonna make that phone call?" JJ asked as she took a seat next to Crystal, "I can't since I'm going to go back and talk to Mr. Summers again, so why don't you call Morgan? Mrs. Mitchell seems to have taken a liking to you." Rossi nodded in agreement, "Great idea Archer, she might be more willing if he calls her."
Morgan glared at both of them while Garcia eagerly shook her head in agreement, "Haha so funny you two. Fine, I'll give them a call to see if they're willing to come down. I'd wait for the Mitchell's to get here and question them together, maybe the facades will come down if they have to confront each other. We don't have that much time left to find these kids."
Crystal nodded as Morgan stood up to go make the call in a different room, but for some reason Crystal's phone started ringing, "Sorry guys, can I step out for a moment?" Emily and JJ nodded at her while Rossi waved his hand at her so she stepped out to take the call.
"Archer speaking."
"Hey Chris, am I bothering you?"
"Tyler? Is there a problem?"
"So a little birdie told me you found out about Mom's dinner plans."
Crystal sighed, "Ty I don't have time for this right now I'm on a case."
"Look, I'm not trying to tell you how to live your life. If you want this life I won't stop you, but I can't help you with convincing mom and dad. That's what you have to do on your own, I don't really want my baby sister going out and getting hurt but I know you can handle yourself so just be careful. Just wanted to give you a heads up that mom isn't going to give up easily on you coming home or going back to teaching."
"Thanks Ty, I appreciate it. I'll think of a way to convince them somehow."
"Good luck on your case."
Her brother hung up, she appreciated that he was worried but still respected this is what she wanted. She just hopes that she can convince her mom the same way, maybe she could-
"Is there a problem Agent Archer?" She spun around, Hotch stood behind her. "Oh, sorry no. I had a personal call to take, so I came out here. Agent Morgan is calling the Mitchell's right now to get them here at the station, once they arrive I plan on questioning them with Mr. Summers at the same time to hopefully get the truth out since we are working on limited time."
Hotch nodded at her answer, "Good, JJ can help assist you when you question the families." He turned around ready to enter the room, "Excuse me Agent Hotchner?" He turned back around, "Is there something wrong Agent?"
"Are you alright?"
"I don't think I quite understand what you're asking."
"You seemed a little heated before, and excuse me if I'm over stepping my boundaries, but I'm hear to listen if you need to talk." Hotch looked at her in silence and Crystal thought she might have just made a mistake.
"I appreciate that Agent, but I'm fine. Thank you and I'll keep that in mind, let's get back to work." Hotch turned around once again and went back into the room with the team, and for a moment Crystal thought she noticed his face relax a bit. When she entered the room again she put her phone on the table as Garcia started to question her personal call.
"Boyfriend calling?" This made Crystal laugh, "No not my boyfriend calling."
"Who's got a boyfriend?" Morgan asked as he came back from his call to the Mitchell's, "The Mitchell's are on their way, I can't guarantee they will cooperate better now though." Hotch nodded, "That's fine, we'll have to work with whatever information we can get from them. JJ, I want you to question the families together with Archer when they arrive."
JJ smiled at Archer which she returned, "If the call wasn't you boyfriend then was it an ex lover?" Crystal smiled at Garcia's question, "No Garcia not an ex lover, just my older protective brother calling in to make sure I'm okay. He's also just letting me know my mom isn't backing down about me leaving the field for good."
Emily smiled, "She's worried, is it the last case that set her off?" Crystal nodded, "Yeah I was a bit reckless on the last one, so she's really worried now. Don't worry you guys can't get rid of me that easily." This made JJ smile and Morgan laugh at her words. "Well I hope not, maybe we could all charm her to be on your side." Prentiss rolled her eyes at Morgan's words, "Derek I think if her mom met you she would demand she leave that second." JJ said while laughing at Morgan as he put a hand over his heart.
"Excuse me Agent's? Mr. Summers would like to speak to you all." The detective was back with Mr. Summers not far behind, "I remembered something but I don't know if it's important..."
Crystal beckoned him to sit down, "Anything helps Mr. Summers, please have a seat." He sat down while nervously playing with his wedding ring again, "Riley told me the reason she really wanted to go to the birthday party was because Jonny was really upset that his dad was going to have to cut him from the team. Apparently he got cheating on a test? His dad was pretty upset, so she wanted to cheer him up by hanging out with them to attend the birthday party...that's why I let her go."
Crystal really wished the Mitchell's would get here quickly, they needed to sort out what really happened for these kids to be taken so easily. "Mr. Summers, I'm sorry to inform you but the party was not for a birthday party. According to the other teenagers who attended the party, the party was held by the Mitchell twins to celebrate the team most likely making the play offs."
"I don't understand? Riley and I went to pick out a gift for the birthday party, she wouldn't lie to me...." This peaked Reid's interest, "You guys bought a present?" Mr. Summers nodded, "Yes, she told me it was a girl from her school's birthday. Michelle? Macy? Something like that, but yeah we bought her a nice bracelet as well as a hair barrette to match."
Reid had a look of realization on his face and apparently you weren't the only one who realized this, "What's on your mind pretty boy?"
"What if Riley really did think she was going to a birthday party?"
"I don't follow."
"Think about it, she bought a present and everything and she was with people she thought she could trust. Maybe the reason they left early wasn't because they were taken, but to have an alibi. If Riley really thought it was a birthday party then Jonny and Savannah could have lied to her stating that they were at the wrong address-"
"Which gives them the perfect opportunity to slip away without any suspicion." Crystal finished for Reid. Of course Riley was to smart to go off with anyone she didn't know, but why did they do it? "This something we can go on, but we don't have any solid proof. We need something other than theories." Hotch stated as he eyed a livid Mr. Summers who looked to be shaking with anger or fear.
"Agents the Mitchell's have arrived, would you like me to bring them in?"
"Yes." Crystal answered as she stood up, she needed answers.
Things are starting to make a bit of sense, but I need some answers from the Mitchell's as proof to back me up.
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Author's Note:
Hey~ Today was Labor Day so no school, so I thought I would surprise you guys with another chapter! But this might be it for me until maybe this Saturday or whenever I can get a break to write. I know this doesn't sound interesting, but I'm not that good with coming up with cases. I'll try better for the next ones that I do originally I promise! Hope this story is getting better for you guys and please remember this is a slowburn, so no instant romance at first (Maybe some crushes/pining or obliviousness might happen)~ Thank you for reading and please vote if you enjoyed!
See you in the next update~