FBI Headquarters
7:35 am
Nikki had just sat down at her desk when there was a knock on the door and Rob McShay walked in trying not to let the smile overtake his face and failing miserably. Nikki smiled up at him as he took a seat in one of the chairs facing her desk.
“Welcome back Nikki, it’s good to see you. I’m glad you decided to continue your work here, we really missed you while you were out”
“Thanks Rob, I don’t know if I’m making the right decision or not, but I think I can continue to help. If I am going to continue working these cases though, I would ask that my name is never made public. After PS, I don’t need anyone knowing who I am or where to find me” she said as her gaze dropped to her missing digit, a shudder running up her spine at the memory. Rob nodded and continued,
“I understand and that is not a problem. We are going to be working some high priority cases and have additional resources at our disposal. I am running the task force and you will answer directly to me.” Rob continued to explain their new direction and the type of cases they will be investigating, including their first case which involved several carjacking abductions. All young women and while the vehicles were later recovered, none of the missing women have been found. The working theory is that these women have been abducted to be trafficked. The 6 victims they know about so far all lived relatively close to the eastern seaboard so the suspicion is that once abducted, they are placed on a ship of some sort and taken out of the country very quickly.
Rob continued to fill Nikki in on the case and the evidence they have so far and he left her office to let her get back to work. Before Nikki could throw herself into the case, she wanted to let Simon know that she was staying with the FBI for now. She hit reply to Simon’s email:
“Dear Simon,
Well, right or wrong I decided to stay at the BAU. I went in to resign and they asked me to stay and continue to work special cases… with your help. Yes, you read that correctly. Apparently, the Director of the FBI is a fan, at least of the results you have gotten so far and they want you to continue to help if you are willing? They are perfectly willing to stand behind Bernard as the “Simon” killer due to the irrefutable evidence against him and are not worried about any backlash from your blog. By now I should be used to all of the crazy things that have been happening in my life since I met you, but it all continues to surprise me. What do you think, does that interest you or do you have other plans?
I miss you, waking up next to you and the feeling I have when I am in your arms. I can’t say that the thought of working with you isn’t appealing but I don’t want you to feel any obligation. Please tell Kevin and his lady congratulations from me on their engagement. Be safe and I can’t wait to see you again.
Nikki”
Nikki might have under-sold the appeal to working with Simon on the “almost up and up.” She thought about those young women being taken and sold into a life of horror and she was resolved to help stop those who are responsible. Nikki was beginning to embrace the understanding that maybe the end actually does justify the means. Criminals don’t play by any rules, the FBI might as well start playing by their own rules to stop them. Nikki hit the send button and with or without Simon’s help, she was going to do everything she could to stop these monsters from ruining any more precious lives.