Chapter Text
CASSIE- Age 12
The FBI asked me if there was anyone they could call to take me in. I gave them my aunt Lacey’s number. I remember overhearing my mother tell her that if anything were to happen to her, Lacey gets full custody of me. I tell the agent interrogating me that. He’s trying to treat me like i’m a small child but I just turned 12, im not 5.
I know my aunt is currently in the FBI academy with 3 weeks left.
I know that because we were going to go see her after she graduated.
”Your posture and tone. You are stressed that you can’t get in touch with my aunt.” I tell the agent, saying what i observed.
”How did you- Look, she wont answer, sweetheart. Are you sure that’s the right number?” He asks. I was positive it was the right number.
”She’s taking one of her finales at the FBI academy.” I tell him and he goes to make another phone call.
”They are pulling her out of class.” He tells me.
LACEY
”Can I borrow a student?” The director of the FBI asks, stepping into the room i’m taking my finale in. I have 2 questions left. I answer them quickly and get up to turn it in and go sit back down.
”Who’s the student?” My instructor asks.
”Lacey Hobbes.” The director answers.
I stand up and grab my bag before going up to the man.
”I’m Lacey. Sir what do you need?” I ask.
“It’s regarding your sister and niece.” He tells me, walking out, expecting me to follow him.
He explains what happened and how the FBI is on the way to DC with Cassie.
“I would love to take her in but I need someone to watch her.” I tell him.
”We’ll put her in an FBI safe house till you graduate and find a place to live.” He tells me.
CASSIE
I get to the FBI academy after a few hours. Another agent named Tanner Briggs picked us up. He lets me sit in the front seat.
”You’re stressed. Your also recently divorced and suffering sadness from losing a marriage that was slowly cracking over time, you both just realized when it was already broken. You seem one minded and ambitious at times, could also be competitive. You also seem like a neat type A person. You prefer basketball over golf but want people to believe you like golf more.” I say, looking at Agent Briggs, breaking the silence.
”How did you know all that?” He asks.
”BPE. Behavior, personality, environment. I’ve been doing that since I was 4. My mom taught me. My aunt is in the FBI academy right now and took profiling classes. She called my mom asking to speak to me and said that what she learned in those classes, I was doing naturally. She says i’m a profiler.” I tell him.
He looks impressed and a few minutes later we pull up to the FBI academy. He opens my door and we walk inside, to one of the offices. An older man introduces himself as the director of the FBI. My aunt is standing there and she immediately wraps her arms around me.
“S-She’s g-gone..” I say quietly, holding onto my aunt, tears falling. After a few minutes of crying into my aunt, I look at her. “You’re afraid and concerned for me. You know that i’m gonna struggle and break down, closing everyone out.” I profile.
Director Sterling and Agent Briggs go outside and talk for a few minutes then come back into the room.
”She can either go into an FBI safe house or join a new program we are running. Agent Briggs said she’s a natural profiler and now that i’ve seen it for myself, I agree. This program is going to hopefully solve cold cases for the FBI. It’s completely up to both of you to allow Cassandra to join.” The Director speaks.
”N-new program if that’s okay with my aunt.” I answer and Lacey agrees.
”C-can I still be in contact with her?” I ask.
“Yeah. Of course.” The director answers and Briggs goes to print out the paperwork. He hands it over to Lacey to sign for me and she reads over it before signing.
An hour later, the FBI is handing me a phone and I get my aunts number. Briggs drives me to a victorian style home.
He goes up to the door and lets himself in, holding it open for me and closing it when I hesitantly enter. There’s an older man sitting on the couch, doing a crossword puzzle.
“Cassie, this is Judd Hawkins. He’s your caretaker.” Briggs tells me.
”Nice to meet you.” Judd says.
“Your ex military, you’re also going through grief. You do crosswords to take your mind off things.” I profile.
”How did you-“ Judd goes to ask.
”You have got to stop doing that.” Briggs cuts Judd off, looking at me.
”I can’t help it. It’s the way my brain works.” I tell him.
“Your accuracy is what scares me.”
“If it helps, he’s also scared of my accuracy.” A blonde boy, around my age speaks up while entering.
“Dean, this is Cassie Hobbes. She’s going to be living here with you and Judd. Natural profiler like you.” Briggs tells him.
“Nice to meet you.” I say.
Judd gives me a tour of the home, Briggs and Dean behind me. Briggs shows me to a bedroom that he says is mine.
”Get settled, dinner will be at 6:30.” Judd tells me. Him and Briggs leave, Dean lingers by my doorway, watching me for a moment before walking out, closing the door behind him.
I unpack quickly. I don’t have a lot of stuff that’s why.
LACEY
It’s been 6 months since I last saw my niece. We text everyday, call a few times a week. I have another 6 months till probationary year in the FBI ends.
Cassie shows up on my front porch for Christmas.
I got her a sweater and some books I know she doesn’t have. She told me she was thinking of saving up for a kindle. I got her that too.
She got me a candle and a necklace. Told me she saved up the money i’ve been sending her so she could get a Christmas gift.
The day she’s leaving, I slide $500 in her bag. It’s a very late birthday gift. I didn’t get to see her on her 12th in late May.
She texted me about it when she got back to the program she’s in and thanked me.
As much as I wanna see her more, it’s also a challenge.
I just hope she’s not spiraling about her mother..