Part IV
It was fast approaching midnight, but no-one was even considering going home. Hotch did, however, insist that they all take a break and they went out as a team to an all night diner to get something to eat.
Garcia had found the book she remembered Reid carrying around - 'The Ashley Book of Knots' - and brought it with her, looking over it after they placed their orders.
"My God, no wonder he was going on about this. There are over three thousand knots in this thing."
Leaning over slightly, Morgan took a look at some of the illustrations.
"Why are you reading the book itself, Baby Girl?"
"What if the knot was to lead us to the book instead of to the type of knot it was? Reid would know I'd remember the book eventually. It might be a long shot, but I have to be doing something."
Rossi reached over and gave her a light pat on her arm.
"That's a good idea actually, but let's think back over the one he used. Anything come to mind to anyone with Corned Beef?"
Hotch frowned thoughtfully.
"I'll admit it that the first person that sprang to mind was Doyle. Perhaps one of his old associates?"
Morgan picked up his coffee cup as he shook his head.
"I don't suppose we can rule that out, but this doesn't feel like their style to me."
Giving the book in Garcia's hand a thoughtful look, J.J. spoke up.
"Pen? Does that book give any history or trivia about the knots? Maybe you could tell us more about the knot and it might ring a bell."
Bobbing her head in agreement, Garcia flipped to the back of the book and ran her finger down the index to see what page to go to and then paused.
"Guys? That knot has more than one name. It's also called a Salt Pork knot. It's designed so that you can keep tightening it during the cooking process as the meat shrinks."
They all fell silent again as their food was delivered, then Rossi spoke again.
"Corned in cooking terms means that something was marinated in a brine solution."
Morgan took a bite of his sandwich as he thought.
"What if we're looking for only one part of the words as a connection? Like corned, beef, salt or pork?"
Rossi nodded thoughtfully as he looked at the surface of his coffee.
"Corned and salt are pretty much one and the same."
Garcia chimed in again.
"Reid's brain works on another level, but we aren't slouches either. We can figure this . . ."
Everyone stopped and looked toward Garcia as something obviously clicked for her.
"I need to get back to my computer. I don't want to say anything because I could be totally, totally wrong and if I am, I might distract you guys from another possibility."
With a frantic wave, she signaled their waitress.
"Excuse me? Could I get my meal packed to go and a takeout cup for my coffee? It's really urgent - thank you so much."
As she bustled away from the table with renewed energy, Hotch looked back to the others.
"She's right. Let's continue brainstorming on this, but let's try another angle. Can anyone think of any LEOs that have been hostile, especially toward Reid?"
Not doing much more than picking at her food, J.J. shrugged.
"We run into a lot of them that aren't particularly happy to see us, but there's a big jump between not liking to cooperate with us and with kidnapping one of us. Wait. They called here, didn't they? Can we get the phone records? I know a lot of calls come into the building, but we know the approximate time of day that Strauss received the call, so that should narrow it down considerably."
"We'll turn that over to Garcia when we get back. For the moment, I don't want to distract her from whatever lead she may be on."
"So? We're going with the thought that an actual officer is involved, Hotch?"
"An officer is involved, either directly or indirectly. We aren't only talking about a man in a uniform, we're also talking about a van that also appeared to be an official vehicle."
"Well, we can eliminate any that aren't with a sheriff's department."
"That doesn't really eliminate all that many, Morgan. But you're right. It's a start."
They ate slowly. Hotch had the feeling that they were pretty much not even tasting their food. He knew that he was only going through the motions himself, He knew he needed food to keep going, so he was eating, but he might as well have been eating cardboard for all the enjoyment he was getting out of it. Only the coffee seemed to have flavor and he got another refill of that as the waitress checked to see if there was anything they needed.
They were all quietly thinking over what to try next when Morgan's phone rang. Seeing it was Garcia, he quickly answered.
"Talk to me, Baby Girl. Tell me you found something good."
"I found something alright, but it isn't good. I hope you've all finished eating because I need you back here asap. I'll have everything in the conference room ready to show you guys when you get here."
"We're on our way."
Just from hearing the one-side of the conversation, Rossi was already moving to the register to pay for their meals while the others were heading for the door.
"Garcia's hunch must have been right. She's setting up the conference room to fill us in."
"Let's not keep the lady waiting."
Genuinely hopeful for the first time in hours, they headed back to their offices to see what Garcia had to tell them.
