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Hadley Bridges never knew that heights bothered her. All the life she spent on the ground, surrounded by people who did anything but love her. She thought that the roof would be peaceful, now with the wind rushing through her hair, tugging at her clothes, she thought differently. But there was no turning back. The window was already nailed into place, she was the only one who could open it again. Now she just had to wait, it felt like she was miles away from the ground. Maybe this was a good thing. Maybe she needed this, needed death, to prove how hurt she truly was.
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Mackenzie McBride officially hated holidays, she loved her family but god damn, they were so nosey when it came to what she did while away at her program. She consistently escaped into the basement to dance, and even then she had to lock the door so no one would barge in on her. Her mom was the worst, she would constantly check on her at night and whenever she was out skateboarding, her mom called at least fifty times. Mackenzie always answered the phone, the one time she didn't, a police man had to find her since her mom freaked out. Now, Mackenzie spent the time in her room looking through cold cases and updating everyone every once in a while. It was weird being one of the only ones who went home for the winter, Cassie was already home in Denver, and the rest of them didn't really have homes. She was excited for Cassie and Deans wedding in the spring, it was gonna be fun. Suddenly her phone rang and Mackenzie rolled her eyes, thinking it was her mom again checking in. She instantly froze when Sterlings name popped up. She clicked answer and only got two words.
"Airport, Now."
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Mackenzie nearly had to use her self defense maneuvers to get out of her parents grips as they said goodbye. They weren't happy about her being pulled away so soon, but this was a part of the job. She climbed onto the jet to see everyone looking up at the TV screen, concern spread across their faces like a wild fire. Mackenzie listened to the report and instantly her stomach dropped.
"There is a thirteen year old girl up on the Empire State Building right now, she had somehow managed to climb out and nail the window shut, leaving only an inch of space between the wall and window where officials had been trying to communicate with her."
Sterling pulled out a file and placed in on the table between seats, getting everyone's attention.
"It's the first time I honestly have no idea where to begin," she said rubbing her forehead. Her and Briggs looked exhausted, she guessed the twins were once again refusing to sleep.
"I'll start," Cassie said as she flipped open the papers and looked through them "her name is Hadley Bridges, she's thirteen, we already know that. A custody battle happened four years ago when she was nine between her father and mother, her father won sole custody and-" she stopped, her eyes widening as she looked at Dean and handed him a paper. He took in a sharp breath and Mackenzie looked at both of them confused.
"What?" She asked and Dean shook his head.
"She's had problems with school, showing up with bruises on her wrists, most recently on her neck. School had contacted home several times and even took a statement from her. Yet nothing's been done," he tensed his jaw several times. Michael looked equally pissed.
"So we are not in this for her, we are in this for him?" Lia asked. Mackenzie thought back to when she stood in the lighthouse roof. She requested the FBI, she had a feeling Hadley didn't.
"Yes," Briggs answered after few seconds of silence "Sterling, Sloane and I will scope out the house, look into his past and everything. Lia will interview the father along with Michael. Mackenzie, Cassie, and Dean, you guys are on damage control, anything happens, is she says anything you will report back to me or Sterling." He directed just as the plane took off. Mackenzie sat down and looked out the window. This was it, her first real, active case since she joined that and higher stakes than anything else.

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