Kings in this world should imitate God, their mercy should be above their works.
William Penn

A Month and a Half Later

Merci stared at the computer screen in silent, painful shock. She didn't need to read it again; she wasn't likely to forget it, even without Spencer's eidetic memory. She read it again anyway.

A Las Vegas court dropped the charges on a couple accused of four counts of kidnapping and three counts of murder. Blake James and Vanessa Reeves' lawyer reportedly proved that the prosecution had no case without the testimony of the fourth victim.

That's all there was. Two sentences. No turn page, no on-going investigation, nothing. This was all she had, other then the nausea that had been creeping up on her. She hit the Escape key angrily.

"You're M.J. Reid right?" a boy said, slipping into the chair beside her. "From AP Calculus?"

Merci had started going by her initials to keep people from discovering her past. Spencer still called her Merci, but even the adults she knew used her new identity. She nodded, hair falling across her face. "Yep and you're Dez Chester. It's short for Desmond, I presume."

"Good guess. Your full name, on the other hand, is a complete mystery."

"And it'll stay that way, if you don't mind. What do you want?"

"You don't have any friends here, do you?"

"What is with men and always wanting to control the subject?"

"I was going to ask you to a Halloween party my parents are throwing. They seem to think I should have a date."

Merci looked back at her computer screen. "I should warn you, I'm only fourteen and my brother works for the Federal Bureau of Intimidation. I'm not exactly girlfriend material."

"Oh really?" the young man asked, skeptical. "What's his title?"

"Supervisory Special Agent Dr. Spencer Reid of the Behavioral Analysis Unit. Why are asking me now? Halloween isn't for another two weeks."

"Wanted to get to know you."

After five silent minutes, Merci said, "I'll go, but I need a favor."

---

Spencer stood, pulling out his phone. He dialed Merci's number quickly.

"You've reached M.J. Sorry I missed you. Leave a message." Then the phone beeped.

"Hey, Merci, it's your brother. We have a case in Texas. I'll be home as soon as I can. Call me when you get home, okay?"

As he slid the phone back into his pocket, J.J. said, "Don't be so worried. M.J. can handle herself."

"This is the first case that's been this far away since I brought her here. What if she gets hurt?"

"She's just like you, Reid. She'll avoid any situation that will lead to trouble."

Spencer's phone rang instantly. "Reid."

"Hi, Spencer," Merci replied. "Do you have a case or something?"

"Texas. Behave yourself, okay?"

"Duh," the girl replied. "Oh, and can I hang out with a friend today? There won't be any drinking."

"What's her name?" he asked warily.

"His name," she corrected. "Desmond Chester. He's in my AP Calc class. He invited me to dinner. His parents will be there."

"How long have you known him?"

"How long have I lived here?"

"Call Garcia if something happens, understand?"

"Got it, go to work." The younger Reid hung up.

ANAMFYW:

This will not be the last we see of Vanessa.