Chapter 10
Hotch was not a happy man, this case was going nowhere and getting more and more complicated. He also didn't like that his agent had a personal connection to the case and was obviously handing something.
Something about this case was off- the murders seemed insignificant as if it was just away to obtain attention and gather the real targets. He was worried about the note Reid had just received- after reading the threat Hotch noticed that Reid paled considerably as if he had just been harassed by a ghost.
Hotch was worried about this 'secret' that Spencer and his friends unknowingly share- What secret could a group of 26 year olds possibly share that could lead to their execution?
Reid sank into a seat, he felt worn and physically sick. He could feel himself aging from worry- he had to admit he had seen this day coming for a long time. He realised a long time ago that what connected his friends and himself also painted a large target sign on their back's by the people that would love to see them six feet under… problem is he didn't know who they are.
The letter had already been sent away to be fingerprinted but both Hotch and Reid weren't about to hold their breath for positive results- one the first note came back clean and two the UNSUB or UNSUBS were too organised for that.
So far the only working profile that they could see was that: a team of organised UNSUBS with sociopathic tendencies- which is shown in the notes as all knowing and conning as the notes has no trace back to them and they used the victims as tools to send a message for an un clear reason.
"Reid, can I have a word" it wasn't question
Reid nodded silently as Hotch gave the rest of the team a look to signal them to clear out of the room. As the team left they all gave Reid a concerned look- they were starting to get very irritated that he was clearly hiding something important from them that was case related.
When they were alone Hotch took no time to launch into his questions.
"Can you please explain to me what the hell is going on Reid?" Hotch demanded more than questioned
Reid suddenly became quite interested with how the floor worked with the way he stared at it intently.
"No I can't" Reid answered finally
"Why not?" Hotch asked sternly
"Because I don't know why this is happening!" Reid shouted raising to his feet
"But your hiding something" Hotch stated
"I can't tell you" Reid whispered looking down
"And why's that" Hotch was getting more irritated
"Hotch do you trust me?" Reid asked suddenly
"Of course I do, we all do" Hotch said a little softer
"Well then trust me right now and don't push your questions" Spencer said his voice serious "It's too dangerous and- you have to take me off this case"
"But-" Hotch tried to argue but Spencer interrupted
"No, Hotch- I can't work this case" Spencer said sternly "I did what I came here to do- prove Jade's innocence- the rest is up to you"
"Reid why are you doing this?" Hotch asked "This is not like you- usually you would fight to stay on a case no matter how close you are to the case. What has changed?"
"Before- I had nothing to lose"
SEVEN DEADLY SINS
The rest of the team gathered in the room that Reid worked on the geographical profile. They were all distressed and severally confused. This case was driving them all insane. They felt everything that they held dear to themselves as a team being tested. Loyalty. Trust. Friendship.
They were scared, scared for Spencer, scared that he was in trouble, scared that he hiding something and scarred that Spencer wasn't coming to them.
"Well? What you guys thinking?" Morgan asked "What's going on?"
The team silently shook their heads silently.
"What about that note? What do you think it could mean" Rossi asked "You guys have known Reid longer- what secret could he be hiding that could get him killed?"
"Not that I know anyway- Spence is always good at keeping a secret" JJ sighed
"Yea, come to think of it" Morgan stated "Everything we know about his past is his education and very little about his home life"
It was true, they knew about his life at school, snip bits of his bullying, they were sure that they won't know anything about his mom or his broken home life if it didn't come up in the Fisher king case a few years back. Reid was always one to focus on the present and right now in the present- Spencer was a possible victim.
The door opened and only Hotch entered the room.
"Where's Reid?" Rossi asked
"He has requested to sit the rest of this case out" Hotch sighed
"He what?" Morgan demanded
"He told me it's for the best- especially since he received a threat" Hotch explained "He does make a good point. He is a potential victim- so is his friends. It's better for the case this way"
"But this is Reid we are talking about he would never just give up on a case like this" Emily said confusion evident in her voice
"I asked him and he basically has everything to lose this time" Hotch informed them
"What does that mean?" JJ asked
Out of the whole team she was the most worried about the change in his behaviour before this case they were always so close. In his own quirky way he was the best friend that she ever had… he was sweet and understanding, a great listener and although he did ramble on about statics but she found it endearing. What none of the team know was that the 'date' Spencer asked her out on after his birthday was actually his way of reaching out and asking for a chance to get to know each other outside of work- he told her that she reminded him of one of his closest friends. Even though she knew this was neither the time nor the place it didn't stop her from wondering which one.
"It means that I'm trusting you all too solve this case" Came Reid's voice from the door
The team turn to face him- they were all so engrossed in the conversation and their own brains trying desperately to wrap itself around their ever growing confusion.
"Reid, man will you please tell us what is going on" Morgan asked in exasperation
"I can't- but trust me like I trust you" Reid begged "You guys will figure it- that I promise"
He turned to leave and JJ followed him out and into too the police car park- not calling him until they were out of ear-shot.
"Spence, I want to talk to you" She called out to him
Reid stopped, waiting for her to catch up to him. He put his hands in his pockets and looked down to the ground. When JJ was standing beside him they stood in silence for a moment until Spencer broke it.
"Susie" Reid said
JJ looked around confused "Sorry what?"
"You met all my old friends and you were curious as to which reminded me of you" Reid explained "I could see it in your face when you meet them all. Profiler"
"I wasn't going to ask" JJ told him
"I know you won't but I wanted you to know because you and Susie are two of the most caring people I know- you both are the glue that has kept my two groups of friends together"
"I know what your doing- you're trying to lighten the mood" JJ stated "I have a question for you… And you have to be honest with me"
"Go ahead" Reid said coolly his hands slipping into his pockets
"Are you in danger?" JJ asked "Do you know what is going on?"
"Technically that's two questions" Reid informed her
"Spence… please" JJ sighed tears brimmed her eyelids
Reid opened his mouth to reply but was interrupted when the door opened and Morgan and Emily walked out.
"Hey guys- are we interrupting something?" Emily asked giving the pair an unreadable look
"No, nothing" Reid said turning away from JJ "Where are you both headed?"
"Jade Collins apartment" Morgan answered "Hotch wants us to once and for all prove her innocence so that we can concentrate on the real UNSUB"
"That's great thanks" Reid said relived "Do you mind giving me a lift?"
"Sure- to where?" Emily asked slowly
"UM…. Well- my friends and I share an apartment here in Vegas" Reid stammered "The one you're headed too"
"You and your friends can afford a six to seven room apartment?" Morgan asked shocked
Reid simply shrugged and started towards the car. Morgan and Emily shared a concerned look before the following him. JJ stood alone in the car park and she silently allowed a stray tear to roll down her cheek. Although Spencer didn't give her a straight out answer she knew- she knew in her heart that yes he was in danger… but the question was did he know who was doing this?