Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds, or any characters associated with it.
Chapter 12: Losing Your Head
The team had come running at Emily's scream. Rossi, who was closest, placed a hand on her arm, to steady her.
They all gaped at the package. This killer was getting very personal.
Tears filled Emily's eyes. "Why?" She whispered, as they began to fall. Rossi pulled her into a hug.
Hotch stepped forward to examine the package. "No return address," He said.
"Did you really expect there to be?" JJ asked, horrified.
"Look, in her mouth," Reid said suddenly.
"Pass me a pair of gloves," Hotch instructed. Morgan obliged. Hotch opened Elizabeth's mouth gently, pulling out a piece of paper.
"Two lost, seven more," Hotch read.
"Seven?" Garcia found her voice. "We only know of six more victims!"
--
The unsub now was packing victim number two for delivery. This one needed only a much smaller box.
--
Hotch had sent Emily home. Rossi had gone to check missing persons for anyone near to the team.
--
The unsub laughed as he tied the blood-soaked white ribbon around the box.
He delivered it to the BAU.
--
"The next package was addressed to all of us," Hotch told them.
Together the team made their way down to the front desk. "Who's going to open it?" JJ asked softly.
"I will," Hotch answered. He stepped forward, and tugged on the ribbon. The box fell open. Inside was just a head, no body. The eyes were glued open, just as Elizabeth's.
Reid paled, and stepped backward, into Morgan. Morgan immediately grasped the younger man's forearm. "Reid? Who is it?" He asked.
"My-my-my father," He stuttered.
"Check the mouth," Rossi said quietly. "Maybe there's a note, like before."
Hotch nodded, and found the note.
"Three now, six to go, this one was for Spence. He wanted to see him dead, I obliged."
Reid paled even more, though Morgan didn't believe it possible. "Reid, man, you can't blame yourself for this."
"Why not? The unsub is right. I did want him dead, for a good portion of my life, now he's dead, and it's my fault," Reid said quietly.
A/N: Well, I'm sorry this is taking so long, but Elizabeth has gone to New York, so it's harder to bounce ideas off her. Let me know what you thought, and any guesses as to the identity of the unsub should be PMed to me.
