Chapter 9
Garcia's voice crackled through the speakerphone as the team gathered.
"Okay pumpkins, I found something interesting," she announced. "Emma officially quit the swim team the day before she disappeared. Her parents didn't know, and neither did her teammates, likely because it hadn't been disclosed. Here's the kicker: the resignation email came from one of the library's computers at her school."
Morgan leaned forward. "And who else was there?"
Garcia paused, tapping at her keyboard. "There was one other login on a different computer at that time... a male student, a junior named Alex Turner. Not much on him so far, but it's a lead."
Emily's eyes narrowed, focusing on Emma's
picture on the board. "Why would she quit?
Especially if her parents pressured her so hard."
Hotch's voice cut through the tension. "We need to speak to Alex. JJ, Morgan find him and talk to him. We need to know if he saw anything or if Emma shared why she was quitting..."
The team couldn't shake the strange decision Emma made. Why would she step back from the thing that defined her, right before disappearing?
Garcia's voice crackled again through the speakerphone before Hotch could delegate further tasks.
"Hold on, team, I have more" she said, and everybody froze. JJ and Morgan, who were on their way out, turned back to hear what Penelope had to say.
Our friend Alex? He's a known troublemaker with a track record of hooligan behavior: minor vandalism, fights, you name it. And get this: both he and Emma accessed the same church website that evening from the library 'Sanctuary of Grace.'"
Hotch's expression focused as he listened.
Garcia continued, "But there's more. Alex also checked some questionable medical sites, an Instagram account connected to a user named 'SilentLight42,' and an online shoe store. Emma, however, logged out after sending the email and visiting the church site. No interactions with the other sites."
Emily exchanged a look with Morgan, a wave of unease passing between them. The church link sparked concern, hinting at something deeper, related to her own past with religious strictness and hidden secrets.
"Good work, Garcia," Hotch finally said. "JJ, Morgan, make finding Alex your top priority. Reid, Prentiss, talk to Emma's teachers and classmates again. See if the church connection rings any bells."
They all nodded, the new lead fueling their sense of urgency.
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Hotchniss - Bonds, Deals and Running
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