Chapter Two.
The team had all boarded the BAU jet and were making the short journey to Boston from Quantico, Virginia. Emily sat apart from the rest of the team, lost in her own thoughts.
"So, we have 2 murder victims. Same age range and they are all brunettes. Both killed in the same way, stabbed in the abdomen and drowned. The M.E report shows no sign of sexual assault. Grace Fox is also in the age range and brunette." JJ reported, gazing at the files. "We obviously have a pattern here."
"He's evolving fast. 2 victims in a week and another girl currently missing. He's not messing about." Hotch added.
Emily ran her fingers through her hair and gazed down at the photo of Grace Fox. She couldn't believe it, Grace was the spit of her. Emily's mind was working overtime, she was trying not to get her hopes up. It had been 8 years, she'd come to the conclusion that Chloe was dead, although she'd never stopped looking for her. Morgen's comment back at the BAU had hit a nerve, she couldn't deny though, the likeness between Grace and her was uncanny. She debated whether or not to tell the team her thoughts, they didn't know about Chloe and she'd rather it stay that way but if there was a chance it was her she'd have too. Emily sighed and tried to concentrate at the matter at hand, even if it was Chloe, she was still missing and in the hands of a horrific serial killer.
"Emily." Reid said, taking a seat next to Emily. "Are you sure your okay? You seem out of it, its not like you."
The rest of the team were now doing their own things, so it was a perfect time for Emily and Reid to chat.
Emily braced herself, if she could trust anyone, it was Reid.
"Look Spence, I need you to keep this to yourself for now. It may be my brain overreacting and making things up."
"Okay, go on. I'm here for you."
"8 years ago, my 7 year old sister Chloe went missing. Her body was never found. I thought she was dead, I never stopped looking for her. I kept in contact with a sketch artist who provided me with up to date sketch's of what she may look like now. And the resemblance to Grace is unbelievable. I really think it might be her."
"Wow. Why did you never say anything before. We could of helped."
"I couldn't. I have nightmares every night about her being kidnapped. And flashbacks of Chloe telling me there was somebody at her window."
Reid put his hand on Emily's shoulder.
"We'll work this out. I won't tell the others, but I really think you should. They can help."
"I will In time, just let me make sense of it first."
Reid nodded.
"I'm here for you."
The BAU team landed in Boston and made there way to Boston P.D to meet the team they were to be working with and get set up. As the team walked into the building, all heads turned there way and several people shot them dirty looks. A lot of police units did not take kindly to the FBI even though they were only there to help, it was like they were a different species. A middle aged man approached them,
"Hello, I'm Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Hotchner and this is SSA Emily Prentiss, Derek Morgen, Jennifer Jareau, David Rossi and Doctor Reid." Hotch said to the man holding out his hand.
"Hi, I'm Detective Eric Sanders." He said shaking Hotch's hand. "Excuse some of my rude colleagues. Some don't seem to understand that the FBI are only here to help." Raising his voice slightly. "If you'd like to come this way, you can set up in one of the conference rooms." Eric led the way to a room to the right.
The conference room was large, a long table ran up the room with chairs around it. There were whiteboards and a noticeboard along the walls.
"This is perfect. Thank you Detective Sanders." Hotch said.
"Please call me Eric. I'm so sorry about some of the lot out there, most are so old fashioned."
"Don't worry about it. Our main concern is finding Grace Fox alive."
Emily shuddered and Reid shot her a look that said 'you need to tell them'. Emily knew, but she just didn't feel ready. If it was Grace than Emily may have a very different life ahead of her. She knew her mother wouldn't be pleased, in fact Emily suspected that she was happy to have rid of the child.
"Reid, you stay here and set up a geographical map." Hotch harped.
"Eric, we'd like to interview the girl's teachers. Which schools did the girl's attend?"
"They all attended Haven High Technology College."
"Right, the rest of us will go there now and interview the teachers. This case needs to be slick and fast paced, we want to find Grace alive."
Emily fought back tears, what the team didn't know that if Grace was found dead, she would never know if it was in fact her sister and that would tear her apart. Although she had presumed her dead for many years, she always had the hope that one day they'd be reunited.
When they arrived at the school, Hotch told everyone their jobs.
"Emily, you and JJ go and interview the counsellor. I'll go and see the headteacher and Derek and David go and see the English teacher. We'll meet back at the station."
The team dispersed.
"You okay Em?" JJ asked, obviously concerned for her friend. "You don't seem yourself."
"Yeah. I've something to tell the team after we've done this." Emily replied, making the decision to just tell them.
"Okay." JJ paused, and wondering what was going on with her friend today. She'd not been right since they had found out about their new case. The pair arrived at the counsellor's door and knocked and entered.
"Miss Talbot?" JJ addressed. "My names Agent Jareau and this is Agent Prentiss, we're from the FBI."
"Morning. I guess your here about the dead girls. So tragic."
"Yes, we need to ask you a few questions, if that's okay."
"Sure sure, sit down." She gestured to the empty seats in front of her desk.
"Thank you. So, did you know any of the girls personally?" Emily asked.
"No, just from passing. They never came to me for advice."
"How about Grace Fox?"
"Her, I know. Lovely girl but very troubled."
"How do you mean?" Emily leaned forward, interested. But she didn't know if she could bear to hear anymore. It was bad enough her being missing in the clutches of a serial killer let alone other problems going on too.
"I really don't know how much I should say. I mean confidentiality and things you know, its very strict."
"Please Ms Talbot, it could help us find her." JJ said, leaning forward.
"Okay. Well, she used to come to me a few times a week expressing that she didn't feel as though she belonged to her family. She said she had flashbacks to when she was younger, about having an older sister and living in a different house although her parents insisted they'd always lived there."
Emily took in a breath.
"She says she'd secretly search through her parents belongings and couldn't find a birth certificate or any pictures of her as a baby or any in fact until she was 11 years old. Then she was adamant she must of being adopted so then went snooping for adoption records, but her father found her and hit her, telling her to stop being so nosey."
Emily's eyes flicked with fear. Her suspicion had being confirmed, it was too unlike to not be.
"Did you report this to child services?" Emily asked, trying to keep the anger out her voice.
"I admit I didn't. The reason is Grace is a very troubled child. I've had other children come to me and tell me Grace is making herself throw up in the toilets and self harming at lunchtime."
Emily blew up.
"Are you stupid?!" She seethed. "Don't you think that maybe what she was telling you was the truth and that's why she was hurting herself, aye?" Banging her hands on the desk. "Your supposed to be a counsellor for gods sake!"
"I'm sorry." Jenny said, shrinking into her chair.
"Thank you Ms Talbot, we'll be in touch if we have any more questions." JJ said quickly, pulling Emily up by the arm and leading her out of the room, before things could get more heated. She cared for her friend a lot and didn't want her to get into trouble, she knew something was going on with Emily. Garcia, Emily and JJ were the best of girlfriends. The door slammed before them and JJ turned to Emily.
"What the hell was that about?!" JJ whispered.
"Can we please go back and meet the others, I'll explain then."