Beauty and the Genius

Chapter 9

"After my parents died, I...kind of went off the rails for a while. I dropped out of Cal Tech. I lived underground, basically. But I kept teaching myself code. It was like the one thing that kept me together. Of course, my skills got me put on a list. Of people who could potentially do very bad things," Penelope explained.

"So they offered you a job?" Spencer asked, "Like Frank Abagnale. The Bureau figured if you can't beat 'em, hire 'em."

"Yeah, something like that."

"Garcia, what's on the encrypted file?" Morgan asked.

"I'm required to keep a record of everything the team does. And after my system got hacked and Elle got shot, I just didn't want anyone else to be able to get at you."

"I'll talk to the doctor, see if he'll clear you to leave," Spencer said and left the room.

Gwen went with Derek and Penelope, but not before doing her usual 'goodnight' with Spencer. Of course Penelope teased her all the way back to the apartment.

There was a police officer stationed out front. "Hi. I'm Mike Fleming. I'm on till midnight. Officer Cranbeck will be here after that, okay?"

"Thank you," Penelope told him.

"You're welcome."

Morgan led her to the entrance of the courtyard. "Come on, let's get you inside."

Penelope stopped to look at the bloodstain on the steps.

"Come on. It washes off. I promise," he reassured her.

They entered Penelope's apartment and Morgan looked around and laughed. "I, umm...I would expect nothing less."

Penelope laughed. "You should be flattered. Not many people are invited in off the grid."

Morgan spotted a film player on an end table. "Super-8?"

"Yeah." Penelope walked over to it and turned it on. A film of a younger Penelope started playing. "I always imagined myself fighting crime. My parents were hippies. I think it horrified them."

"Now why does that not surprise me?" Gwen teased.

"How old were you when you lost them?" Morgan asked.

"18. Drunk driver." Penelope turned off the projector.

Morgan picked up a piece of paper and examined it.

"I volunteer once a week to counsel family members of murder victims."

"Baby, you don't get enough of this stuff at work?"

"I look at those crime scene photos all day long. I can't know that those families are out there trying to cope and not do something to help."

Gwen rubbed Penelope's back and said, "You're a good woman, Penelope Garcia. Far too precious for this world."

"Thanks."

"You do know it was stupid to encrypt that file?" Morgan asked her.

"Yes, I know. Old habits, I guess."

"You need some rest. You both do."

"You're right." Penelope hugged Morgan. "Go. Be free, my love."

"Hey, I'm not going anywhere."

"I'm fine. I got my goon squad parked out front and a badass witch on my side."