Id better get some sleep, Riley thought. The woman seated next to her already seemed to be dozing.
Riley tilted her chair back and closed her eyes. But instead of falling asleep, she found herself remembering Jillys play.
She smiled as she recalled how Jillys Persephone had bonked Hades over the head and escaped the Underworld to live life on her own terms.
Remembering how she had first found Jilly made Rileys heart ache. It had been night in a truck stop parking lot in Phoenix. Jilly had run away from a miserable home life with an abusive father and climbed into the cab of a parked truck. She had fully intended to sell her body to its driver whenever he came back.
Riley shuddered.
What would have become of Jilly if she hadnt stumbled across her that night?
Friends and colleagues had often told Riley what a good thing shed done by bringing Jilly into her life.
So why didnt she feel better about it? Instead, she felt pangs of despair.
After all, there were countless Jillys in the world, and very few of them were ever rescued from terrible lives.
Riley couldnt help all of them, any more than she could rid the world of all vicious killers.
Its all so futile, she thought. Everything I do.
She opened her eyes and looked out the window. The jet had left the lights of DC behind, and outside there was nothing but impenetrable darkness.
As she peered into the black night, she thought about her meeting that day with Bill, Lucy, and Meredith, and what little she knew about the upcoming case. Meredith had said that the three victims were shot from a long distance by a skilled marksman.
What did that tell her about the killer?
That killing was a sport to him?
Or that he was on some kind of sinister mission?
One thing seemed certain the killer knew what he was doing, and he was good at it.
The case was definitely going to be a challenge.
Meanwhile, Rileys eyelids were feeling heavy.
Maybe I can get some sleep, she thought. Again she leaned her head back and closed her eyes.
*Riley was staring at what looked like thousands of Rileys, all of them standing at odd angles toward each other, becoming smaller and finally vanishing into the distance.
She turned a little, and so did all the other Rileys.
She lifted her arm, and the others did as well.
Then she reached out, and her hand came in contact with a glass surface.
Im in a hall of mirrors, Riley realized.
But how had she gotten here? And how was she going to get out?
She heard a voice call out
Riley!
It was a womans voice, and somehow familiar to her.
Im here! Riley called back. Where are you?
Im here too.
Suddenly, Riley saw her.
She was standing directly in front of her, in the midst of the multitude of reflections.
She was a slight, attractive young woman, wearing a dress that looked many decades out of style.
Riley immediately knew who it was.
Mommy! she said in a stunned whisper.
She was surprised to hear that her own voice was now that of a little girl.
What are you doing here? Riley asked.
I just came to say goodbye, Mommy said with a smile.
Riley struggled to understand what was happening.
Then she remembered
Mommy had been shot to death right before Rileys eyes in a candy store when Riley was only six years old.
But here Mommy was, looking exactly the same as when Riley had last seen her alive.
Where are you going, Mommy? Riley asked. Why do you have to go?
Mommy smiled and touched the glass that stood between them.
Im at peace now, thanks to you. I can move on now.
Little by little, Riley started to understand.
Not long ago, she had tracked down her mothers killer.
He was now a pathetic old vagrant living under a bridge.
Riley had left him there, realizing that his life had been punishment enough for his terrible crime.
Riley reached out and touched the glass that separated her from Mommys hand.
But you cant go, Mommy, she said. Im just a little girl.
Oh, no, youre not, Mommy said, her face radiant and blissful. Just look at yourself.
Riley looked at her own reflection in the mirror next to Mommy.
It was true.
Riley was a grown woman now.
It seemed strange to realize that she was now much older than her mother had lived to be.
But Riley also looked tired and sad in comparison with her youthful mother.
Shell never grow any older, Riley thought.
The same was not true for Riley.
And she knew that her world was full of trials and challenges still to be endured.
Was she ever going to get any rest from it? Would she ever be at peace for the rest of her life?
She found herself envying her mothers timeless, eternally peaceful joy.
Then her mother turned and walked away, disappearing into the infinite tangle of reflections of Riley.
Suddenly there came a terrible crash, and all the mirrors shattered.
Riley was standing in near-total darkness, up to her ankles in broken glass.
She gently pulled her feet out one by one, then tried to make her way through the wreckage.
Watch your step, said another familiar voice.
Riley turned and saw a rugged old man with a lined, hard, and weathered face.
Riley gasped.
Daddy! she said.
Her father smirked at her surprise.
You hoped I was dead, didnt you? he said. Sorry to disappoint you.
Riley opened her mouth to contradict him.
But then she realized he was right. She hadnt grieved when he had died last October.
And she certainly didnt want him back in her life.
After all, hed scarcely ever said a kind word to her in all his days.
Where have you been? Riley asked.
Where Ive been all along, her father said.
The scene began to change from a vast expanse of broken glass to become the outside of her fathers cabin in the woods.
He was now standing on the front stoop.
You might need my help on this case, he said. It sounds like your killers a soldier. I know a lot about soldiers. And I know a lot about killing.
It was true. Her father had been a captain in Vietnam. She had no idea how many men hed killed in the line of duty.
The scene began to change from a vast expanse of broken glass to become the outside of her fathers cabin in the woods.
He was now standing on the front stoop.
You might need my help on this case, he said. It sounds like your killers a soldier. I know a lot about soldiers. And I know a lot about killing.
It was true. Her father had been a captain in Vietnam. She had no idea how many men hed killed in the line of duty.
But the last thing she wanted was his help.
Its time for you to go, Riley said.
Her fathers smirk twisted into a sneer.
Oh, no, he said. Im just settling in.
His face and body changed shape. In a matter of moments, he was younger, stronger, dark-skinned, even more menacing than before.
He was now Shane Hatcher.
The transformation struck Riley with terror.
Her father had always been a cruel presence in her life.
But she was coming to dread Hatcher even more.
Much more than her father ever did, Hatcher had some kind of manipulative power over her.
He could make her do things that shed never imagined shed do.
Go away, Riley said.
Oh, no, Hatcher said. Weve got a deal.
Riley shuddered.
Weve got a deal, all right, she thought.
Hatcher had helped her find her mothers killer. In return, she allowed him to live in her fathers old cabin.
Besides, she knew she owed him. Hed helped her solve cases but hed done much more.
Hed even saved her daughters life along with that of her ex-husband.
Riley opened her mouth to speak, to protest.
But no words came out.
Instead, it was Hatcher who spoke.
Were joined at the brain, Riley Paige.
Riley was awakened by a sharp jolt.
The plane had landed in the San Diego International Airport.
The morning sun was rising beyond the runway.
The pilot spoke over the intercom, announcing their arrival and apologizing for the bumpy landing.
The other passengers were gathering their belongings and preparing to leave.
As Riley groggily got up and pulled down her bag from the overhead luggage compartment, she remembered her disturbing dream.
Riley was hardly superstitious but even so she couldnt help but wonder
Were the dream and the rough landing somehow portents of things to come?
CHAPTER EIGHT
It was a bright, clear morning by the time Riley got into her rental car and drove out of the airport. The weather really was wonderful, with a temperature in the comfortable sixties. She realized that it would make most people think of enjoying the beach or at least lying beside a pool somewhere.
But Riley felt a lurking apprehension.
She wondered wistfully if she could ever come to California just to enjoy the weather or go to any other place to relax.
It seemed that evil awaited her wherever she went.
The story of my life, she thought.
She knew she owed it to herself and her family to break out of this pattern to take some time off and take the girls somewhere just for the sheer joy of it.
But when was that ever going to happen?
She let out a sad, tired sigh.
Maybe never, she thought.
She hadnt gotten much sleep on the plane, and she was feeling the jet lag from the three-hour time difference between here and Virginia.
Nevertheless, she was eager to get started on this new case.
As she headed north on the San Diego Freeway, she passed modern buildings punctuated by palm trees and other greenery. Soon she was out of the city, but the traffic on the multi-laned freeway didnt diminish. The fast-moving procession of closely crowded vehicles wound among rough hills where the early sunlight accentuated a steep, brush landscape.
The scenery notwithstanding, Southern California struck her as less easygoing than she had expected. Like her, everyone in the crush of cars seemed to be in a hurry to get somewhere important.
She took an exit marked Fort Nash Mowat. After a few minutes, she pulled up to the camp gate, showed her badge, and was allowed to enter.
She had messaged ahead to let Bill and Lucy know she was on her way, so they were waiting by a car. Bill introduced the uniformed woman standing with them as Colonel Dana Larson, the commander of the Fort Mowat CID office.
Riley was instantly impressed by Larson. She was a strong, sturdy woman with intense dark eyes. Her handshake immediately conveyed to Riley a feeling of confidence and professionalism.
Im pleased to meet you, Agent Paige, Col. Larson said in a crisp, vigorous voice. Your reputation precedes you.
Rileys eyes widened.
Im surprised, she said.
Larson chuckled a little.
Dont be, she said. Im in law enforcement too, and I keep up with everything the BAU does. Were honored to have you here at Fort Mowat.
Riley felt herself blush a little as she thanked Col. Larson.
Larson called to a nearby soldier, who stepped briskly toward her and saluted.
She said, Corporal Salerno, I want you to drive Agent Paiges car back to the rental station at the airport. She wont be needing it here.
Yes maam, the corporal said, right away. He got into Rileys car and drove out of the base.
Riley, Bill, and Lucy got into the other car.
As Col. Larson drove, Riley asked, What have I missed so far?
Not much, Bill said. Col. Larson met us here last night and showed us to our quarters.
We still havent met the CO of the base, Lucy added.
Col. Larson told them, Were on our way to meet Col. Dutch Adams right now.
Then with a chuckle, she added, Dont expect a warm welcome. Agents Paige and Vargas, that means you especially.
Riley wasnt sure what Larson meant. Was Col. Adams going to be unhappy that the BAU was sending two women? Riley couldnt imagine why. Everywhere Riley looked, she saw men and women in uniform mixing freely together. And with Col. Larson on the base, surely Adams was used to dealing with a woman in authority.
Col. Larson parked in front of a clean, modern administrative building and led the agents inside. As they approached, three young men jumped to attention and saluted Col. Larson. Riley saw that their CID jackets were similar to the ones worn by FBI field agents.
Col. Larson introduced the three men as Sergeant Matthews and his team members, Special Agents Goodwin and Shores. Then they all entered a conference room, where they were awaited by Col. Dutch Adams himself.
Matthews and his agents saluted Adams, but Col. Larson did not. Riley realized that it was because she was Adamss equal in rank. She soon found the tension between the two colonels to be palpable, almost painful.
And as predicted, Adams did look distinctly displeased to see Riley and Lucy.
Now Riley was getting the picture.
Col. Dutch Adams was an old-school career officer who wasnt at all used to having men and women serve together. And judging from his age, Riley felt pretty sure that he wasnt ever going to get used to it. He would probably retire with his prejudices intact.