Previous part of Unstoppable.
***
Chapter 41
Horatio was on his cell phone the next morning talking with Vlad when Calleigh dashed past him, almost knocking him over. "Hang on a minute, please, Sir," Horatio said. "Calleigh, what's wrong?"
"The report just came in, someone found what's left of Megan's body," she replied. "Out in a house on Star Island and it's a blood bath."
"Who else is out there?" Horatio asked.
"Frank and Eric," Calleigh replied.
"Wait one minute, Calleigh," Horatio said. "Vlad, could I call you back? I've got a crime scene I need to go to."
"We will assemble the warriors and send you the best, Horatio," Vlad said. "They will go directly to Nevada, eliminate anyone left in the nest there and then meet you in California. Constantine is delaying his visit until this is finished. Call me in two days and we will finalize our details."
"I'll do that," Horatio said. He tucked his phone away and looked back at Calleigh. "Sorry about that, how did I not hear about this crime scene, Calleigh?"
"I don't know," she said. "You want to drive?"
"I'll follow you," he said with a small smile.
****"I think we have a new gang in town, Horatio," Frank said. The pair was standing just outside what was probably meant to be a ballroom, letting the team process the interior. "I heard a report come in about some mangled bodies out in the Glades. It got filed as gator attacks, but with this on top of it, I don't like it."
"It does seem a little too coincidental, doesn't it?" Horatio asked. "What do you know about the other victim?"
Frank snorted. "It took them a while to find his head, but he's been ID'd as the house owner, Richard Hunter," he said. "Whoever was in here with him really did a number on both him and Megan. I know she had a stalker, you think that's linked in here?"
"I don't know, Frank," Horatio said. "I'm curious why Megan's here at all. Calleigh said that Megan has been showing fear of the dark and nighttime, but went running out of the lab as the sun was setting last night. Something happened to bring her out here, and I want to find out what it was."
Speed glanced back. He'd caught a ride with Eric, planning to call Horatio in if there was evidence that needed to vanish. "I'm not seeing a purse, bag or cell phone in here," he said. "Megan's cross is missing too, Horatio."
"Her cross?" Frank asked.
"She carried a family heirloom cross in her pocket at all times," Horatio replied. "It's a lovely piece of work, Italian I think, and old."
"Well hell, it's probably been pawned and someone's enjoying the money," Frank said.
"I wonder where her bag is though," Horatio said. "Speed, let's go take a look out back and see what we can find."
"Yeah, beats being in here," Speed said. He whispered something to Eric and exited out into the hall. "It really reeks of blood in there."
"Both bodies almost completely drained," Horatio said. "That means something too. Frank, we'll be back."
"You two be careful out there."
"We will."
The pair walked slowly out into the garden, looking around them for evidence. "We're alone," Speed said. "H, she didn't have the cross with her last night when she got here."
"So the question comes, Tim, where is it," Horatio said. "Let's sweep through the yard. It's possible we're missing something here."
"Great, just what we need. More mystery," Speed sighed.
***
Chapter 42
"Can I come in?"
Horatio looked up at the tap on his door and saw Rebecca standing there with a plastic bag in her hand. "Of course, Rebecca, shut the door behind you," he said with a warm smile. "What can I do for you today?"
"I wanted to bring you your dinner from last night," she said. She set the bag down on his desk and sat down in one of the chairs. "Did your crime scene last night link into the one out on Star Island today?"
"We're not sure," Horatio said. "There's three different sets of bodies all killed in very similar ways. I'm waiting for a couple of calls from my informants before I make the call that these cases are all connected."
"Poor Megan though," Rebecca said. She shifted in her seat and Horatio caught a glimpse of metal under her shirt. "Was it her stalker that got her, do you think?"
Horatio mentally called for Speed, something he hadn't done in years. He needed his partner in the office to decide their next step. "I don't know," he said aloud. "There was a man dead in the Star Island home that we found New York identification for, so it's possible that he was Megan's stalker, but with him dead as well, it's hard to say one way or the other."
"I'd hate to think that her stalker was working with someone and that someone turned on both of them," Rebecca said.
"You mean like your boss out in California, bitch?" Speed commented from just inside the still closed door.
"What the hell? Where did he come from?" Rebecca demanded, jumping up.
"You never know where Speed is going to pop up," Horatio said with a small smirk. "Sit down, Rebecca. We know who you're working for. Take off Megan's necklace and put it on my desk. Slowly. You are in over your head and you haven't heard half of what we're able to do."
She reached up and unclasp the cross chain. "I found it," she said.
"I'm sure you did," Horatio said. He picked it up and sighed. "Megan put her faith in something that could never have saved her. There was no way to warn her of the true dangers, but I had hoped that maybe her fear would help keep her safe."
"Also the last innocent to die in this war of domination your stupid boss wants to start," Speed said. "Did he promise you eternal life, youth and beauty, Rebecca? I only ask because that would take a miracle and isn't something anyone would be able to do unless you have about ten grand lying around somewhere."
"Tim," Horatio muttered with a fond smile.
"There's no way you'll be able to get me out of here," Rebecca said. "I'm protected by forces you don't understand."
"Bet your life?" Horatio asked with a smile.
****"Horatio, do you think we should worry about how easy it was for us to get her out of the lab like we did?" Speed asked later that night. They were out on the boat where no one would be able to find the body. "I mean, we did whammy her, but someone should have noticed."
"I think word got out that I asked her out on a date," Horatio said. He smiled as the first shark appeared near the boat. "How many did you call in?"
"As many as I could reach," Speed said. "Shame to waste the blood like we did, but I'm still pretty full from last night. Not to mention we did need the information."
"Yes we did," Horatio said. He picked up Rebecca's body and threw her overboard. "Enjoy the meal, my friends."
Speed sighed. "So now we just have to go out to California and eliminate this would-be king that thinks he's taking America from the two courts," he said. "From us and our families."
"We'll have to verify the information Rebecca gave us, but it does give us a slight edge," Horatio said. "Life will never settle down again, Tim, but maybe we can keep things to a dull roar for a few years here. It will have to beat the problems we're facing now."
"Yeah, I don't think things are going to be that easy," Speed sighed.
***
Chapter 43
"So, I heard from Constantine," Speed said, leaning in the door to Horatio's home office. "He wants to pull Jesse to come and lead one of the stealth forces to help us retake California, but there's been a snag."
"Jesse is close to wanting to bond with Greg and won't leave him alone around all the other vampires living there."
"You've talked to Jesse?"
Horatio smiled. "Two days ago. He said that Gil and Nick bonded and are both happier than they probably ever have been. That library has something to do with it, I'm sure," he said. "Greg's still feeling really out of place, but is slowly learning that's normal for baby vampires and the healers there are treating him like something very special. Which is good to hear, otherwise they would find one very pissed off warrior talking to them."
Speed moved into the room and sank down in his favorite chair. "Yeah, it's got to be hard for all three of them being transformed vampires in a world where there haven't been any for close onto sixty years now," he said. "I'm just glad to hear that no one is treating them like freaks or mistakes. That was my main worry sending them off like we did."
"Until we can get remote courts established here in the states, I think we're going to have to rely on our friends and networks in Europe for problems like this," Horatio said. "The two courts is going to put out word that we're forming a third court here and will welcome vampires that want to come to the states, work hard, and ultimately keep their loyalty to Constantine and Vlad."
"Sounds like a problem waiting to happen," Speed sighed. "Still, we'll need to get at least one remote court set up for babies and children to be taught in. Where are you thinking is the best place for that?"
"I thought out in the mountains in Colorado," Horatio said, leaning back in his chair. "Remote enough that we won't have to worry about people constantly stumbling over it and food stocks would be easy enough to maintain for everyone living there. The only dangers we would really have to worry about would be fire and snow."
"Which we can protect against," Speed said. "As long as I never have to go live there during the winter, I'll agree, but it's possible we'll need more than one."
"I've got feelers out for possible locations," Horatio said. "I'd never make you live there, Tim, so get that look off your face. We're basing here, although I would like to set up a second court on the west coast. I've got a couple of old friends in mind to live there and take care of the day to day affairs for us while we're not in residence."
Speed sighed. "You would put them there, wouldn't you," he said. "You're right that they'll be perfect for it, even if it does mean putting up with them complaining about it for the first ten years the court is in operation."
"It'll be good for them," Horatio said with a smirk. "I've already cleared it with the two courts. Once we get this so-called king out, we can have his lands if we want them."
"Is he up north or down south?" Speed asked.
"San Francisco."
"We might as well take it over. I don't want to risk wild fires and it's not like we have to be there in the winter," Speed said. "If anything, it could be a break from the sweltering humidity we have to deal with down here in the summertime."
"You, Tim, can gripe about anything," Horatio said fondly.
"Yeah, that's why you love me so much."
"One reason among many, Tim," Horatio said. "One reason among many."
***
Chapter 44
"Horatio, can I talk with you for a minute?"
"What can I do for you this morning, Rick?" Horatio asked, not turning around.
Stetler came up next to him. "Rebecca Nivens is missing and the last time anyone saw her was when you and Speedle walked out of the building with her," he said. "Care to explain?"
"She was helping us with Megan Donner's murder," Horatio replied. "I dropped her off at her apartment before supper last night."
"Can anyone confirm that besides Tim Speedle?"
"It's possible one of her neighbors saw the Hummer," Horatio said. "You'd have to ask them. I'm sorry she's missing, do you want me to send a team over to check her place?"
"I'll send night shift. Your people are too loyal to you," Stetler said.
"Now then, Rick, that's not fair," Horatio said. "We're all loyal to justice. If there's nothing else, I was on my way to a crime scene."
"That's all for now."
"Until later then," Horatio said. He walked over to his Hummer and got in. "That's a complication we didn't see coming."
Speed snorted. "Good thing we were able to whammy a couple of her neighbors then, isn't it?" he said. "It does make me wonder who the hell called in and reported her missing."
"Our enemy out in California would be my first pick," Horatio said. He pulled out into traffic with a sigh. "This stops both of us from joining the fight out there, Tim. Stetler would raise a fit if we left town right now."
"I'll call Vlad and let him know," Speed said. "You're going to need to be on the ground for this one. Kid was snatched from the middle of a kiddie play area and killed in the restroom. The mother is in the hospital being treated for shock."
Horatio growled. "When we find this guy, he doesn't see the inside of a jail, Tim," he said. "He's mine."
"I was expecting that," Speed said. "So we need to be sure we're the ones to find him."
"The others already there?"
"Waiting for you. Patrol locked the place down, we've got some really angry people in there," Speed said.
Horatio glanced over with a grim look. "Then they're about to get a lecture on what it means to be a decent human being, Tim."
"Looking forward to that."
***
Chapter 45
Frank looked down at the body and sighed. "I'd hoped to get a chance at this bastard," he said. "Tried to run?"
"He grabbed a young woman as a hostage," Horatio replied. "She's being treated for shock by the EMTs. I was lucky to be able to get the shot. I wasn't expecting him to look around the girl's head to tell me something."
"Well, can't say he's a great loss to the world," Frank said. "Probably better not to put the victim's mom through a trial anyway. That'd just tear her up even more."
"Yes it would," Horatio said. "I was wondering when our friendly IAB officer would show up. Seeing him twice in two days is two times too many."
"Stetler getting on you 'bout something?"
"He thinks I murdered Rebecca Nivens and dumped her body somewhere," Horatio said.
"Idiot. Don't he know you wouldn't kill one of ours?" Frank asked.
"Apparently not. Rick."
Stetler paused and looked around. "We spoke with Rebecca's neighbors, Horatio," he said. "I'm hearing two different things from them. Several say you did drop her off, but some say you didn't."
"Maybe they didn't see us then," Horatio said.
"Or maybe you're lying to me."
"I'm going to go get the witness' statement," Frank said. "Calleigh have your gun, Horatio?"
"She does and she'll make the final report. Thank you, Frank," Horatio said. "Rick, do you think I would be able to, somehow, get only some of Rebecca's neighbors to say that I dropped her off and would be stupid enough not to do the same to all of them?"
"I don't know what to think," Stetler said.
"I think that the ones that told you they saw the Hummer did see us and the ones that say they didn't, did not," Horatio said. "It's certainly the most logical answer, and one that I would accept on any case. You know as well as I do that human beings are fallible and that's why we rely on science and evidence rather than solely on eye-witness testimony."
Stetler sighed. "I'm not sure how you're doing this, Horatio, but I know you have something to do with Rebecca's disappearance."
"I wish I could say that I was," Horatio said, "if only to tell you where she is. I'm sorry she's missing, but I don't know where she is or what happened to her. Now, if that's all, Rick, I have a dead child molester and murderer to deal with."
"This isn't over, Horatio."
"Until later then, Rick," Horatio said.
****"He's going to be a problem," Speed commented after hearing about the whole exchange. "Vlad called, but the way. They're on the ground in Nevada and taking care of the remains of the nest there. He thinks they'll be in California in three more days."
"Moving quickly then," Horatio said. "I'll keep an eye on Rick Stetler. We can't make him vanish, no matter how much we might want to, because that would draw too much attention to us, and that's something I want to avoid as much as we possibly can. I'm just not sure what we can do about him."
Speed snorted. "I suppose we could hit him over the head and then whammy him," he said.
Horatio chuckled. "He's got a hard head, Tim, it wouldn't work," he said. "But we'll keep it in mind for a back-up plan."
"Too bad we can't give him a bite."
"He'd be sour."
"I'm the one that's supposed to be sarcastic, you know," Speed pointed out.
"I know, Tim, but I couldn't resist that one," Horatio said with a smile. "We'll work something out. It'll just take some time."
***
Chapter 46
"So when are you planning to talk with your friends about managing our new estate for us?" Speed asked the next day when the pair was driving to the lab.
"I thought that I would wait until we knew we had the estate before talking with them," Horatio replied. "You know that it'll take them time to decide if they want to do it or not. I think they will, and be happier doing that than they are, but I don't want to force or trick them into anything. I've also got feelers out for an estate in the upper part of the Rocky Mountains, somewhere we can make the retreat for the children and infants."
"So we've got all of that to worry about on top of Stetler sniffing around," Speed said. "Great, our day is off to a fantastic start and we haven't even had our coffee yet. I don't know if I even want to look at the assignment board. I just know what something bad is waiting for us. Hell, with the way everything has been going lately, I'm willing to bet that I'm going to end up in the water before much longer. You know how much I hate swimming."
Horatio glanced over while they were stopped at a red light. "I know how much you claim to hate swimming, Tim. I also remember how often I had to pull you out of the water when we were in Greece for several years after the Second World War," he said. "I thought you were trying to become a fish."
"Yeah, like that can happen," Speed said. "I hate what humans are doing to the planet, Horatio. I hate watching the news and seeing reports of global warming, pollution, chemical spills, and animals dying because humans can make money off them. I hate that the home I've helped protect for generations is dying because of the very people I've helped to protect."
"You are in a mood this morning, Tim. What's going on?"
"I'm sick of idiots," Speed said, slumping down in his seat. "Especially that one."
Rick Stetler was standing on the steps to the lab, staring directly at them. Horatio sighed. "Now there, Tim, I have to admit we're in complete agreement. I wonder what he wants on this fine morning."
"Only one way to find out."
"Two, but only one that I want to use," Horatio said, parking in his usual spot. "Although if he keeps harassing me, option two might start to look more attractive. I'll see you inside."
"Yeah, I'm taking the backdoor," Speed said, slipping out of the Hummer.
Horatio smiled fondly, got out, retrieved his briefcase from the backseat and headed in towards the lab. "Good morning, Rick," he said.
"Horatio, some new information has come to my attention about Rebecca and I want to talk with you about it," Stetler said.
"Certainly," Horatio said.
"In your office," Stetler said.
"If you want." Horatio headed into the lab and up to his office, unlocking the door. "What did you want to talk with me about, Rick?"
"When did you buy a boat, Horatio?" Stetler asked.
"Several years ago, when I had more free time," Horatio replied. "I keep debating selling it, but Eric borrows it on weekends to go diving, so I just haven't got around to anything with it. Why?"
"Because someone told me that you took Rebecca on your boat the day she vanished and you came back without her," Stetler said. "You never mentioned this to me, so I want to know if you just forgot or if you were hiding something from me?"
"I never mentioned it because I haven't taken the boat out in weeks," Horatio said. "I'm not sure who is lying to you, Rick, but it sounds to me like someone is trying to get more money out of you by fabricating evidence."
"I had night shift check your boat for blood, Horatio, and they found some."
Horatio took the piece of paper Stetler held out and looked it over carefully. "Fish blood, Rick," he finally said. "Not human so I'm not sure why you're even mentioning this. Unless it is your intention to harass me. If it is, I'm going to take steps to report this, Sergeant."
Stetler flushed. "This isn't over, Horatio. I know you're lying to me about Rebecca and I'm going to find out what happened to her."
"You do that," Horatio said. He folded the copy of the report in half and placed it on his desk before going around the front and retrieving the small bug Stetler thought he'd planted. Horatio grinned and looked around his office. He loved hide and seek.
***
Chapter 47
Speed looked at the bag Horatio placed on the desk next to him in the trace lab and made a face. "Seriously?"
"It would seem that someone is hoping I'm stupid, Speed," Horatio said. "I've deactivated every one of them, but I think that it's time for us to look a little more closely at this mystery informant Stetler has. It would seem someone had the boat out the other night and I didn't know about it. So, now, I want to know who it is that's trying to frame me for murder."
"You've got a lot of enemies," Speed pointed out. His eyes flicked to the side for a moment and then focused back on Horatio. "The boat isn't common knowledge though, especially with how rarely you're out on it. I think Delko and I had it last, didn't we?"
"Possibly the time before last," Horatio said. "Did you do any fishing while Eric was diving, Speed? Apparently there was fish blood found."
"Nope, I just sat in the cabin and read, keeping an eye on his camera while he was down, just like always," Speed said. "Eric didn't bring anything back up with him this time around. Just empty reefs, well, empty of anything interesting."
Horatio nodded and picked up the bag. "I think, Speed, that I want to go and take a look at my boat. Grab your gear and meet me in the Hummer, please. I want a second pair of eyes on things," he said.
"Sure."
"Thank you." Horatio headed into the shadows near the rear door to the trace lab and held out the bag. "I believe that these are yours, Rick," he said softly.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"If I find out you are lying to me, Sergeant, then I will go and speak with the Chief," Horatio said just as softly. "Planting bugs without a warrant is illegal, and I would not want to have to report that IAB is using illegal means in an attempt to trap the officers of this department." He caught Stetler's eyes with his own, trapping the other man with his gaze. "Do I make myself clear?"
Stetler took the bag and stalked off, not saying a word. Horatio shook his head. "Eric."
"How long's he been acting like a spoiled bitch?" Eric asked softly.
"Such language. Since Rebecca vanished," Horatio replied. "It would seem that Stetler believes I had something to do with it all."
"Must have hit his head harder than usual or something," Eric said. "What can I do to help?"
"Let Calleigh know that IAB is sniffing around more than usual and keep your eyes open for bugs planted in the labs," Horatio said. "I found five in my office that were placed overnight. It would seem that someone is out to get me, Eric."
"Too bad he's being so stupid about it," Eric said.
Horatio nodded thoughtfully. "Stupid, yes, but possibly on purpose. We don't have all the facts here, so let's all be careful, okay?"
"Yeah, you got it, H."
"Thank you. Speed and I are going to check my boat. It would seem that someone borrowed it without permission, and I want to know who."
"I'll let Cal know."
"We'll call when we're on our way back," Horatio said. "Thank you, Eric."
He headed back to his office to grab his kit and then went out into the parking lot, finding Speed at the Hummer. "How many?"
"Four so far," Speed said, holding up the small electronics. "I think you should check your house when you get home tonight, Horatio. This is really getting out of hand, and there's no way to know if he's broken in there or not."
"I think it might be time to speak with my lawyer," Horatio said. "This is quickly becoming harassment, Speed."
"Yeah, no kidding."
Horatio looked back towards the department and a slow smile spread across his face. The lawyer was a vampire that came to the country in the middle of the 1800s from the courts. She loved a good argument, and it seemed that Horatio would soon have the perfect one just for her.
***
Chapter 48
Horatio stepped out into the sun after spending several hours talking over various options available to them to deal with Rick Stetler. None of them were fast, but both vampires wanted to keep their activities as shadowed as possible until they chose to strike. He had just pulled his phone out of his pocket to call Speed with an update when it rang. "Horatio," he said, heading towards the Hummer quickly.
"H, it's me. I need you."
"Aaron?" Horatio paused, stepping to the side, out of the sun. He'd never heard the younger vampire sound so upset. "What's wrong? What happened?"
"I've been set up," Aaron replied. "I've been set up to fall, and I took an innocent with me. Please help me, H. I don't know who else I can call."
He started for the Hummer again. "Hang on for me, Aaron," Horatio said. "Stay there and do not move no matter what. Keep everyone out except for me. Do you understand?"
"Yeah, and I will. Just hurry."
"Fast as the plane can get me there. Text me an address."
"Okay."
Horatio ended the call, even though he hated to leave his younger brother alone when he was so obviously distressed about something bad. He called the airport to get the plane ready, and then called Speed. "It's me."
"What's wrong?"
"Aaron just called. He's in trouble and needs my help. I'm going up there, Tim."
"You know Stetler is going to jump on this the second he gets wind of you leaving town," Speed said. "It's not like you can really write this off as a family emergency. Even if that's what it is."
Horatio sighed. "I'll deal with Stetler when I get back," he said. "I'm not sure what else I can do right now. Vlad's people are hunting groups that should be ours by rights. It's possible that Rick might have to disappear, Tim."
"I'll get in touch with our helpers in Italy and see if they're available," Speed said. "So much for slow and legal, H."
"Slow and legal will still work if he does not push me when I get back," Horatio said, pulling up to the private hanger. "I'm at the plane. I'll call when I know more."
"You taking your sword with you?"
"Of course," Horatio grinned. "Aaron sounded as if he were almost broken, Tim. I'm going to find out who was stupid enough to hurt my baby brother and then I'll take care of the problem."
It was Speed's turn to sigh. "Be careful. I don't like that I can't come up to watch your back. This could easily be a trap, Horatio."
"Tim, I'm counting on it."
*~*Horatio took a taxi from the airport to the address Aaron sent him. His senses were on high alert as he walked from the street into the building, and up to the apartment where Aaron was awaiting his arrival. He knocked in sequence on the door and stepped back to wait. The door opened and Horatio almost swore when he saw his younger brother. Aaron Hotchner was red-eyed and pale, as if he hadn't fed in several weeks. The younger vampire was wearing a white t-shirt, probably his undershirt, and black slacks. "H."
"I'm here," Horatio said softly, moving into the apartment, shutting the door behind him. "Are we alone?"
"Just Spencer, and he's, well, he's...."
"Hey, it's okay," Horatio said. He put his sword down by the door and pulled Aaron into a tight hug. "I'm here and I'm not leaving until we work this out, Aaron. Come on, let's sit down and you can tell me the whole story from the beginning."
Aaron Hotchner was Horatio's sire's fourth child, and the only other one still living. He'd adored Horatio when he was growing up and tried his hardest to be just like his older brother, but Aaron was not a fighter. So he turned his attention to studying the humans that he lived amongst, and was one of the founding fathers of Criminal Profiling. He curled up in Horatio's lap so many times as a child and when he was growing up, and did the same when he and Horatio sat down on the sofa to talk. "I don't know where to start," he muttered, face hidden against Horatio's neck.
"Start with who owns this apartment," Horatio said softly, rubbing Aaron's back.
"Spencer Reid, one of the agents on my team," Aaron said. "If transformations were still allowed, I would have already done it to Spencer, Horatio. He's an amazing young man that could bring so much to our lives as vampires. I thought I'd managed to hide my interest in him, but Gideon noticed and called me on it."
"Your team leader, right? Jason Gideon?"
"Yeah, that's him. About two months ago, Spencer started coming to work with dark circles under his eyes, bruises, and what looked like handcuff bruises on his wrists," Aaron said. "I wanted to ask him about it, make sure he was okay, but Spencer is closer to Gideon than anyone else on the team, so I left it to him. Gideon called me into his office to let me know that Spencer was dabbling in sexual kink and he was concerned that Spencer was going to be hurt. I didn't want to believe it. There were no signs at all that Spencer would be into the scene, and I thought there was another reason for the bruises, but Gideon insisted that Spencer confessed to him about his activities."
Horatio rubbed Aaron's back. "What happened next?" he asked softly.
"Gideon and I went to one of the rougher clubs, and there was Spencer, sitting at a man's feet, hands securely cuffed behind him with metal cuffs," Aaron replied just as softly. "They looked like the same sort of cuffs my team carries, and Spencer was fighting them. I thought that he didn't want to be there and that was why he was fighting against the cuffs. Gideon said that Spencer was still being trained and that he would be punished for moving like he was. The punishments for that particular club were whipping and group sex. I had to leave, Horatio. I couldn't watch any of that happen to Spencer. Not with how much I'd come to love him. When he came to work the next morning, he was limping and couldn't sit down. My heart broke because I knew the signs. He hadn't been whipped."
"Then what happened?"
"I watched him grow thinner and more pale, and then Gideon came and told me that Spencer left the club scene because it wasn't what he was looking for," Aaron said. "He handed me an envelope and said that Spencer asked him to bring that to me because it wouldn't look right for him to give it to me himself, and he didn't want to cause trouble for me at work. I waited until I was alone and then read it. The letter was a confession, H. It was Spencer's handwriting and, in the letter, claimed that he'd been trying to find something to ground him. Something to help him with his focus, but nothing he'd found worked for him. He was too focused on me and it was impacting his work. Spencer wanted to know if I would come over for dinner and stay the night. I didn't reply immediately because I wasn't sure what to think of the whole thing, but Spencer kept looking at me with these eyes, puppy eyes, H, and I just couldn't say no. So we agreed to last night."
Horatio reached down and pulled Aaron's head up so he could look into his younger brother's eyes. "You were set up," he said softly.
"I raped him," Aaron almost wailed. "He'd never been penetrated before and there was so much damage, H."
"Is he still alive?"
"Yes. I nicked my finger and spread my blood inside him to help the damage heal, but that was all," Aaron said. "There wouldn't be enough blood there to cause him any lasting harm, but he's gone, H. I can't reach him."
"Aaron, listen to me for a second," Horatio said softly. "I think that there's another vampire on your team, one you didn't know about because he's a different bloodline than one you've ever encountered before, and he's been using Spencer Reid in an effort to get to you. Let me up and I'll go check Spencer for you."
"What am I going to do, H?" Aaron asked, sliding over onto the sofa. "How do I live with myself?"
"You were a pawn, Aaron. You are as much a victim in this as Spencer, and I'll help you both, okay?" Horatio said. "Let me go take a look at the young man and then I'll take care of the rest of it."
"How?"
Horatio grinned. "No one messes with my family and survives to tell others about their deeds," he said. "Wait here, Aaron, and I'll be right back, okay?"
***
Chapter 49
Horatio walked down the hallway towards the bedroom, mind turning through all the information Aaron gave him. If Jason Gideon were a vampire, it was possible that young Spencer had been in a trance whenever he was at the club, when he wrote the letter to Aaron, and at other times. Horatio hoped that the young man wasn't, that there was some other influence involved, because there was no way he would be able to finish the transformation of the young man, and it was possible that Spencer would remain in a trance for the rest of his life because, unless his so-called vampiric master chose to reverse the trance, there was nothing Horatio would be able to do. It was one of the limitations of the bloodline. With a small sigh, he pushed the door open and went inside.
Spencer was lying in the middle of the bed, eyes open and staring up at the ceiling. He was breathing, but there was no other movement from the bed. Horatio moved over and looked into the young man's eyes. They were vacant, but that could be because Spencer was hiding deeply within his own mind rather than because of a blood-induced trance. His pulse was steady and there were no obvious signs of bleeding. Horatio sat down on the bed next to Spencer and tilted his head to the side, searching for any traces of bite marks that weren't fresh. As best he remembered, Aaron tended to bite his partners a lot, especially when he grew close to climax. There wasn't anything that would be able to help him.
"Can you hear me, Spencer?" he asked, taking the young man's hand in his own. "My name is Horatio and I'm here to help you. Squeeze my hand for me if you can hear me." He sighed. "All right. I'm going to have to go and have a little chat with your mentor, Spencer. There are questions that I need answers to that you aren't able to give me. If you're hiding, you need to come back. The pain should be gone by now, and you're safe. No one is going to hurt you again, Spencer. I promise you that."
He pushed up off the bed and headed back down the hall to the living room. "I can't tell, Aaron," he said. "It's possible he's in a trance and it's possible that he's hiding. Without a bloodline link, there's nothing I can do for him right now. I want you to stay here and stay on guard while I go and talk with Gideon."
"What are you going to do, H?"
"I'm going to find out the truth, Aaron." Horatio picked up his sword. "I'm already in a bad mood because of idiots keeping me from my duties to my kings. If Gideon won't tell me what I want to know, then I'll make him. Stay here and don't leave for any reason until I'm back. Call in sick to work if it ends up taking me more than tonight to get answers, okay?"
Aaron sighed. "Yeah. Okay. There's no vampire in the area linked to Constantine, is there?"
"No, but we can always take Spencer to Miami and have Tim look at him if it turns out to be his bloodline," Horatio said. "I'll be back as soon as I can, Aaron. Stay strong for Spencer. He needs you to guard him right now."
"I'll do my best," Aaron said.
*~*Jason Gideon lived in an apartment not far from Spencer Reid, but the difference in neighborhood was remarkable. Horatio walked around the building a couple of times, looking for secondary entrances and exits. He couldn't sense a vampire around, but that just meant there wasn't anyone of his bloodline in the area. Finally he slipped inside and headed for the elevator. Horatio went up two floors below Gideon's, and took the stairs the last two floors. He wasn't sure if this was a trap for him or revenge against Aaron, but he wasn't going to walk into anything blindly. He finally tapped on the door to Gideon's apartment and stepped back, sword hidden under his jacket. "Are you Jason Gideon?" he asked, when the door opened.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Horatio, I'm Aaron Hotchner's older brother," he said. "Would it be possible to talk to you for a minute tonight? Aaron's been hurt badly and I'm afraid he's not going to be at work for several days."
"Come in, please," Gideon said, stepping back and to the side. "What happened to Aaron?"
"He was in an accident and is alive," Horatio said, looking around the front room. "I'm afraid he may never be the same again."
Gideon moved in towards the kitchen. "Can I get you anything to drink?" he asked.
"Water would be fine, thank you," Horatio replied, sitting down in the one chair that would not leave his back exposed. "I'm sorry for just turning up like this, but my cell phone battery died on the way here and I don't have my car charger with me."
"That's fine, it's not a problem." Gideon came back into the living room and handed Horatio a glass of water. "Was it a car accident?"
Horatio bit back a small smile when he noticed the other man wasn't breathing. "No, it wasn't," he said, setting the glass to the side. "I'm afraid that he was set up by someone close to him to do something so opposite his nature that Aaron has suffered lasting trauma from events. It's possible that he will have to leave his job forever because of what happened tonight."
"I'm afraid I don't understand. What exactly happened to Aaron?" Gideon asked.
"He attacked and raped someone that he loves," Horatio replied softly. He stood up and crossed to the other man. "Someone that he treasures more than anything else in the world, and he was greatly misinformed. Tell me something, Agent Gideon. Do you believe in vampires?"
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Right now, everything, because the one that Aaron attacked is in a trance," Horatio said. He looked into the other man's eyes and smiled. "A trance you placed him in, Agent Gideon."
Gideon broke and started laughing. "When did you figure it out?" he asked.
"You forgot to breathe," Horatio replied. He pulled out his sword and let it rest in his hand. "You, my friend, have messed with the wrong vampire."
"You're not a threat. No one in the Two Courts is," Gideon said. "You're led by scholars and weaklings."
Horatio grinned when five other vampires came into the room, all armed with short swords and daggers. "Gideon, let me ask you one question before you order your helpers here to attack," he said. "How old are you?"
"Two hundred years," Gideon said. "What's that got to do with anything?"
"Just curious," Horatio said. He moved forward, sword glittering in the light as he cut down all five vampires before one of them could make a move against him, ending up behind Gideon with his sword held against the other vampire's neck. "I'm over six hundred years old and have been fighting for most of those. I do not know where people keep getting the idea that the Two Courts are weak because our leaders have turned to study after many centuries of warfare, but we are not weak. We are strong, and now, my friend, I have permission to kill you. I think that it is time for you to talk, and you do not want to lie to me. I will torture you to get the truth, and no one will ever find your body."
*~*The sun was up when Horatio arrived back at Reid's apartment. He let himself in and, when he saw the living room was empty, headed down the hallway to the bedroom. Aaron was lying curled up next to Spencer, but not touching him, blocking him from anyone that came in the door. Horatio smiled and squatted down next to the bed, running his hand through Aaron's hair. "Hey."
"You're back," Aaron said, eyes opening. "What happened?"
"Gideon was a vampire from the clan that formed in Russia, but his blood was weak because he's far removed from the founder of the clan," Horatio replied. "I need you and Spencer to come to Miami with me. I've been in touch with Greece and they're going to send a healer over to work with Spencer. This is a blood-induced trance, and Gideon refused to remove it."
"You killed him, didn't you?"
"I had to," Horatio said. "Aaron, listen to me for a minute, okay? Spencer doesn't remember anything from the past six months. He's one blood infusion away from becoming a vampire, and you know what that means."
Aaron nodded. "There's no bringing him back out of the trance," he said softly. "He either stays like this for the rest of his life, risking death if anyone forgets to tell him to do something, or he has to be transformed. But there's a ban, Horatio. The kings won't allow us to do that."
"I spoke with them," Horatio said. "In detail and they both have agreed to talk about the situation. It's possible that they'll make a medical exception for the healer from Greece to transform Spencer. We can't do it, Aaron, but it's possible the kings will allow the healer to do it."
"They've stood firm for almost seventy years, Horatio. 1946 was when the decision went into place. Why would they revoke it now?"
"They're not revoking it. They're thinking about adding a subclause to their ruling that in emergency situations, when someone has been brought to the brink without asking for it, that a healer can evaluate the situation and, if they believe it better for the person in question, with approval from the two kings, finish the transformation," Horatio said. "Sort of a medical emergency situation. Can you get away to come down to Miami with us, Aaron?"
"I'll quit if they won't give me the time," Aaron said. "Spencer is more important than my job at the FBI. I can work from the shadows again if I have to."
"All right. Then let's get Spencer ready to travel and we'll be in Miami by lunch. Tim's waiting for us, and I'm sure he'll have something ready for us, if not someone."
***
Chapter 50
Once the plane was in the air, Horatio settled Spencer as best he could and then took Aaron forward. "You have to be prepared for the simple fact that Spencer may not listen to orders from us because we're not of his bloodline," he said. "I've seen this before, Aaron, and it's not pretty."
"He's not going to die before the healer can reach us, is he?"
"No. No, he'll be fine for several days before he goes into a decline," Horatio said. "Spencer's trance is not unlike a coma, Aaron, and the healer will treat it as such until the final ruling comes from our kings."
Aaron groaned and ran his fingers through his hair. "What are the chances they'll agree, Horatio? You know them both better than anyone. What are the odds Spencer is battling?"
"I'll be honest with you, Aaron, I don't know. We just eliminated a pair that was transforming humans against their will, and Vlad extended protection to the babies," Horatio said. "On the other hand, as you pointed out, the ruling has been in place since 1946 and has never been violated by a member of the Courts who then lived. I hope that they'll agree because Spencer is a remarkable man that would be able to do so much good in the long term. There's nothing I can do to influence their decision any."
"So what do we do now?"
"Let's see if he'll listen to either of us," Horatio said. "The most important thing to remember is to think before you give an instruction because the human in the trance is not thinking for themselves."
"I've never done this before."
"I'd be worried if you had." Horatio dug out a bottle of water, opened it, and moved back to the row of seats where Spencer was lying. "Spencer, can you sit up, please?"
Aaron exhaled sharply when Spencer sat up suddenly. "Thank you," he whispered to no one in particular.
Horatio held out the water. "Spencer, I want you to take the bottle of water from me and slowly drink it," he said. "Sip the water, pausing to swallow and then breathe between each sip until the water is gone. Then put the bottle down on the floor next to you and lie back down. You need to sleep, Spencer."
"What about food?"
"Not while we're in the air. Fluids are the most important right now," Horatio said. "Tim will have some soft foods ready for him when we get home. Aaron, I need to tell you that I'm having trouble with one of the IAB officers. He's become fixated on the idea that I killed a woman and disposed of her body."
"Did you?"
"Of course, but she was a spy sent from a rival vampire that's attempting to assume control of America," Horatio said. "She was also indirectly responsible for the death of an innocent."
"No great loss then," Aaron said with a shrug. "How much trouble are you having?"
"Enough that I'm expecting him to be waiting at the airport for us when we land," Horatio said.
Aaron grinned. "I think I'll be able to help out with that," he said.
********Horatio gave Spencer detailed instructions as the plane was landing in Miami, and asked that Aaron wait in the plane until he was certain it was safe for him to come out. The plane taxied into the hanger and Horatio deplaned as soon as the pilot shut off the engine near the door. He wasn't disappointed. "Hello, Rick."
"Where did you run off to so fast, Horatio?" Stetler asked. "I thought you'd skipped town to avoid prosecution for murder."
"I was called north by a friend at the FBI that needed help with something, Rick," Horatio replied. "And I urge you to reconsider any attempt to charge me with murder before all the evidence has been evaluated by a neutral third party at another lab. Now, if you do not mind, I have had a long couple of days and I need to get home."
"You're not going anywhere but to jail, Horatio," Rick said.
"When did IAB start making assumptions?" Aaron asked from the top of the stairs. "It seems to me that the very charter for IAB cites neutrality and stability for their officers, and you, Sergeant, are about as far from neutral as it is possible to be."
"Who the hell are you?" Stetler demanded.
"My name is Aaron Hotchner," Aaron said, starting down the stairs to stand next to his brother. "Supervisory Special Agent with the Behavioral Analysis Unit of the FBI. Lieutenant Caine has been helping me with a small matter the past couple of days and I am perfectly happy to get involved in whatever matter it is you seem so determined to frame him for."
Stetler took a step back, but his glare didn't lessen any. "This isn't over, Horatio," he snapped.
"I believe it is, Rick," Horatio said. "My lawyer will be in touch."
"You'd really bring Hetty into this?" Aaron asked, glancing over at Horatio with a small smile.
"She already is," Horatio replied. "Go get Spencer, Aaron, and let's go home. I have a feeling that this problem with Rick is only just starting."
***
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