Hotch got a call from Morgan, saying he was still working on the connection between the girls, so Hotch took his spot for the autopsy. Gideon, Catherine and Grissom also accompanied him.

"What's the official cause of death, Doc?" asked Catherine, walking into the cold morgue.

"Well, it was the blood loss that killed her from the bullet wound. However, as you can also tell, there are severe signs of strangulation. It looks like he used a belt, but gave up and settled for the gun. That is the weird part, however," finished the doctor.

"What's so weird about that?" asked Gideon. "It takes a lot of strength to strangle someone. The unSub probably just got tired and fed up."

"Yes, that's probably true. But the past victims have all been strangled, without being shot. Why would your 'unSub' as you like to call it, change his MO?"

Hotch examined the bruising on her neck. "That is odd…" he pondered. "Look at these wounds, though. Their weak and not smooth at all. The unSub seemed to have difficulty with this girl. Can you tell if she fought back?"

"She was unconscious. Head wound hidden under the hair," motioned the doctor, revealing a mass of bloody hair on the back of the head. "Subdued, just like the others. But I think I might have the answer for you."

Grissom eyed the doctor. "And that would be…" He always had a flair for the dramatics, Doc did.

"I found a small blood drop on our vic's neck. I sent it up to trace and it's not Alyssa's, so it's most likely our killer's. Wasn't in the system, however, but it's better than nothing and we're sending the search farther than just Vegas."

"So the killer injures himself," starts Gideon, piecing it together. "Maybe a hand or arm. He tries to strangle her, like he usually does, but his injury prevents him from killing her. Alyssa might start to wake up a bit, try to struggle, so he panics and shoots her instead."

"That's good. He's getting sloppy," said Grissom, eyeing the girl's pale face.

"And now we have some way of identifying him when we see him," said Catherine, looking over at her boss.

Finally, they were getting somewhere.

….

Morgan felt like smacking his head against a wall. They had spent the last hour trying to find ONE LOUSY CONNECTION between the vics. So far, all Morgan could tell was that they liked pink. Not much of a lead…

Of course, it was Reid who found something. "Hey! Wait, this might be something," he said, excited.

While Morgan and Greg grew excited, Sara just rolled her eyes and stood behind the young doctor.

"Look next to their beds, do you see that?" he said, speaking very fast.

"Books, genius. Pretty much everyone has them next to their beds," huffed Sara, eyeing the so-called genius.

"Hmm, really hadn't noticed," said Reid sarcastically and Morgan eyed him. The only time he saw Reid lose his temper was with the whole 'losing his gun' thing years ago.

"Look closer, Sara," motioned Reid. "Look at the authors, to be more exact. They're all 15th century famous writers!" Reid was excited again.

"See? Margery Kempe, Sir Thomas Malory, William Dunbar…they were all well known. These girls all have the same preference in books, maybe that could be some kind of link?" said Reid, looking eager, turning his attention to Morgan.

"How did you know that? About the authors, I mean," asked Greg, still squinting at the picture.

"My mom was a professor of 15th century literature. She used to read that stuff to me when I was little," said Reid, not really paying attention as he pulled out his phone.

"When you were little? Seriously? No wonder you're a genius," laughed Greg. Sara just glowered, but secretly, was a little bit impressed.

Before Reid had the chance to dial, Morgan's phone began ringing.

"Hey Baby Girl, we have a job for you again. I was just about to call you," said Morgan.

"Well, hold your horses Cowboy, because Garcia has an awesome connection that you just might want to hear!" she said and Morgan could picture her smiling.

"Does it have anything to do involving books?"

"Why do you wound me? That was my surprise, dumby! You stink!"

"We still don't know what it is Penelope, so before you go calling me mean names, you still might be able to surprise me," laughed Morgan.

"Humph," huffed Garcia. "Very well. So after checking into their backgrounds, they really couldn't be more different, personality wise, it appears. Two were jocks, one a pianist, two were debate team leaders, and one social recluse, it appears. However, they all went to the same library according to their library cards."

"Library? Which one? Did you do a background search on the employees? Wait, let me put you on speaker," said Morgan excitedly. They could have their first suspect….

"Already ahead of you, Baby. It's called Williams Public Library and it is located—"

"On fifth street, right? Right across from Dales Theater?" asked Reid, interrupting Garcia.

"What is it, National Kill-Garcia's- Bubble Day? You too, Sweet Pea? Don't join Morgan!" exclaimed Garcia.

"Oh, um, sorry. Proceed please," said a blushing Reid.

"Well, as my Junior G-Man so wisely put it, it is indeed located on fifth street. I did a background check on most of the employees that might fit the oh-so-tiny profile you provided me with, and so far, I got nada. I still have a bit to go, though." Garcia was finished, slightly dismayed.

"You're the best, Baby Girl. Keep it up and update, por favor!" said Morgan.

"Humph, yeah, whatever." She hung up.

"Sorry, she's a bit of a drama queen," laughed Morgan.

"So we could tell," said Greg. Sara was staring at Reid again.

"How did you know where the library was?"

Reid looked up, noticing her attention was on him. "Oh, I grew up here before moving away when I went to college. But I still visit because my mom lives here. I used to go to that library when I was younger," he said, looking uncomfortable under the attention.

"Huh," said Sara, but not in a mean way. In more of a…surprised way.

"I'm gonna call Grissom. He's going to want to know about this," said Greg, pulling out his cell.

"Yeah, looks like we're taking a trip down to your favorite library, kid," said Morgan, smiling.

…..

Author's Note:

Hope you liked it! Please Reid (hehe) and Review por favor, as Morgan so kindly put it!

With love, MissdaVinci77