“Cannoli?” Maura knew she shouldn’t but this woman
describing Jane as a cannoli intrigued her.

“Sure, cannoli, you know, hard and crunchy on the outside
and sweet and soft on the inside” Garcia smiled and waited.

Maura laughed for the first time since Jane and JJ were
taken.

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Rodriguez was oh so grateful for the dimmer lighting it
allowed him to filter in with other officers who were coming and going between
the three floors.  It wasn’t long before
he made it onto the sixth floor.  He
wasn’t anywhere near the room, having up on the other side of the floor but he
was on the same level.  He learned a long
time ago that the best place to hide was in plain sight.  That’s exactly what he planned to do.  He needed to get an idea of their exact
location, their security and their routine.

He could be a patient man when he needed to be.

Chapter 17

Hotch finished his call and looked back at the others.  “There is still a problem with the electrical
panels.  They can’t figure out how he
rigged it but trying to take the systems back online will shut off sections and
they’ll have to cycle through an eight minute start up cycle.”

“How much longer can they work with the backups?” Morgan
asked.

“Another hour or two tops, they’ve been running full bore
all this time.” Hotch said.  Looking at
his team he saw the realization of what he was saying.

“Are you saying we’re going to be without power for eight
minutes?” Frost said.

“Yes and no, my understanding is that essential circuits to
critical sections, operating rooms, neonatal ICU, CICU, and ICU are going to be
addressed as quickly as possible but without dangerously interrupting service
to patients.  A lot of the monitors and
sustaining equipment have back up battery power so we may briefly be without
elevator service and lights.” The impact of his statement hit them all.

“Hotch we can’t just hole up here in the dark even for just
eight minutes.” Prentiss paced angrily in front of the group.

“The exit lights are on battery power, so we’ll still have some light.” Looking up and down the
hallway, he pointed out the light along the ceiling that resembled runway
lights.  They activated when main and
backup power was shut off.

“This is ***** crazy,” looking at Frost, Korsak knew what
was going through the younger detective’s mind.