Evolution, a Spencer Reid/Criminal Minds Fanfic

Chapter 22. The Italian Connection

Dr. Carol Bescardi watched Reid dash down the hall toward the waiting area. She couldn’t help thinking that the exit was in the same direction.

“Don’t worry. He’ll be back.” Rossi took a seat in the examination room and motioned for Bescardi to do the same.

“In the meantime, we should talk. I want to be sure we’re on the same page when it comes to Dr. Reid’s contribution to your studies.” Rossi watched Bescardi’s apprehension as she allowed her subject to disappear from view. At last, she closed the door, ensuring their privacy, and took a seat.

“Dave, I already agreed to all your restrictions. What more could you possibly want?”

Rossi expelled the long-suffering sigh of a man who knows when he’s being played. “The very parameters you agreed to also give you ammunition, Carol. They tell you how important it is that Reid’s condition…talents…abilities…whatever you want to call them, remain private.”

The doctor licked her lips and blinked. From where Rossi sat, it looked almost flirtatious, as though some of Bescardi’s personal arsenal was being brought to bear on him. Rossi took a deep breath and regarded her with an expression so bland, it shouted that such tactics were useless.

“We have a common heritage.” He smiled. “One that is hallmarked by strategizing and manipulation. I can’t help thinking that you’re already toying with the idea of extending Dr. Reid’s participation past any point with which he would be comfortable.”

“You make me sound like a monster. How would I do such a thing?” She was still trying to sway him with her natural gifts. Her lips pouted a little too much. With a manicured hand, she patted lustrous, dark hair, drawing his attention to one of her best features. She shifted position in her chair in ways that accentuated her curvaceous figure. Rossi appreciated, but didn’t fall prey.

“Let’s pretend you’re as smart as we both know you are. And as driven. When my young friend’s three sessions with you are over, I suspect you’ll have a great deal of information and knowledge you didn’t have before. But you’ll want even more.” Rossi leaned back, crossing his arms as he watched Bescardi’s carefully composed features. She wasn’t giving anything up. He’d expected no less.

“The first thing you will be tempted to do is keep Dr. Reid against his will. We both know that won’t work, because I, or someone just as potentially lethal, will be with him to ensure his freedom isn’t compromised.” Rossi’s eyes were steady, cataloguing Bescardi’s every reaction with his profiler’s training.

“The second thing you’ll consider is blackmail.” Bingo. Her eyes flickered ever so slightly. “If you reveal Reid’s identity and the identities of those at the Bureau who’ve helped you gain access to him, a number of careers and at least one life will be irrevocably ruined.” She watched him with half-lidded calculation. “But you haven’t yet realized the consequences for yourself. All you see is your own success. Accolades. Awards. Recognition. A career whose impact will almost certainly live long after you and I and Reid are gone.” Bescardi’s eyes glistened. Rossi could tell she’d imagined these very things. She’d probably lulled herself to sleep at night with just such imagined accomplishments. He shook his head.

“Carol, I’m going to do you a huge favor and tell you exactly what would happen should you take any steps to reveal Reid’s or mine, or any other agent’s role in your research.” Rossi leaned forward, forearms braced on his knees, hands clasped. Bescardi held her ground, lifting her chin in defiance, making Rossi think she had not only considered blackmailing Reid, but had actually begun mapping out a plan. One which she believed to be extremely viable.

“As you know, my career is two-fold. As a senior agent in the FBI, I have extensive contacts in government. As a prolific and successful author, I am equally well-connected in the publishing world.” Rossi leaned closer, aiming himself at his target.

“If you threaten us in any way, Carol, three things will happen. First, I will use my contacts in government to dry up all federal and state funding for this institution. Second, I will use my considerable influence as an author to make sure no additional work of yours will ever be published. Third, I will instigate a campaign in both my areas of expertise to discredit you and anything you have accomplished to date. You will end up unemployed, unemployable, and a laughing stock; a professional joke.” Bescardi’s posture hadn’t changed, but she no longer looked as vibrant as when she’d taken a seat.

“So tell me, would you risk your future as well as your past accomplishments? Would forcing Reid to submit to a lifetime of testing be worth the complete destruction of your own professional life?” When she swallowed and her shoulders slumped, Rossi smiled inwardly. He hadn’t been totally sure of the outcome. When Bescardi had referred to the girl in the waiting room as a ‘subject,’ he’d wondered if she had already crossed the thin line between dedication and fanaticism. He was relieved to see she hadn’t.

He was also relieved to see she could be a gracious loser.

Bescardi relaxed, no longer posturing or posing in an effort to appeal to the man before her. Her dark, red lips spread in a genuine smile, broadening into a rueful laugh.

“Alright, Dave. I see your point. What’s more, I concede your point. But there is another possibility I would like you to at least consider.” Rossi raised his eyebrows, encouraging her to continue. “What if Dr. Reid willingly decides to continue with me, maybe even to join the Center on a permanent basis? Would you and your Bureau accept that?”

Rossi returned her smile. “If Reid elected to do that, I would have to be very, very sure that he wasn’t being coerced in any way whatsoever.”

The battle was over. At least for the time being. The two Italians regarded each other with mutual respect, leavened with just a touch of distrust. Rossi was sure Reid would never abandon the BAU in favor of this paranormal clinic. But he was also sure Bescardi would try to persuade him to do just that.

xxxxxxx

Reid watched the door to the waiting room swing shut behind the girl. Anastasia Kassandra. With-a-K.

His return trip to the room where Bescardi and Rossi waited was at a sedate pace, allowing him time to examine the encounter he’d just enjoyed; to turn it over in his mind and relive it several times over. It gave him a better understanding of the conflicting feelings he’d had about continuing this relationship with Dr. Bescardi and the Paranormal Investigation Center. He’d dreaded coming here, knowing that Bescardi wanted to possess him, to own him the way she would a lab animal whose sole purpose was to provide her with data. But he’d also felt drawn. There was something waiting for him, looking for him just as he was seeking it. Some reason he had to make this appointment and keep it. With inward vision Reid watched the feathery settling of her hair and that first, brilliant flash of blue. As he walked down the hallway, he knew he was smiling and probably looked a little…well,…goofy.

He didn’t care.

It was only when he realized he hadn’t gotten her last name that the reality of the situation supplanted the pleasure he was feeling. No phone number. No address. No last name. Again, Reid thought Morgan would be tearing his nonexistent hair out if he knew.

But the lapse in his happiness was only momentary. It didn’t matter. He knew he’d see her again. As he turned the knob and opened the door to where Bescardi and Rossi waited, he heard the echo of her voice, telling him not to worry, telling him she’d wait.

He believed her.

Spencer Reid was astounded and mystified to realize he trusted a total stranger. He was a man of science whose analytical mind demanded proof and evidence. But this was different. He knew it was tied in some way to the strange evolution his brain was experiencing.

For the first time since it had begun, he was eager to see where it would lead.

For the first time since it had begun, Reid was looking forward to tomorrow.