Reid made it back at ten to five. Riley hadn't returned yet. Good, he wouldn't have to explain anything. He didn't want to lie to her, but telling her this would just upset her. It was one thing being preoccupied, but he had actually attempted to get involved with the investigation. That was a little selfish to do on his honeymoon, he knew that. But for some reason, he just couldn't walk away.
Now, though, he'd be able to get it out of his system. He had done everything in his power to help and had been turned down. He was grateful to be out of options and now could focus on the rest of his trip.
He sat on the freshly made bed and removed his shoes. His exhaustion was beginning to catch up to him. He lied back on the pillow and closed his eyes, hoping to get ten minutes sleep at least before Riley returned.
Just before six, he heard the door open. Reid hadn't fallen asleep yet, unfortunately, but was happy to see Riley just the same. A beige and pink paper bag was clutched in one hand. She abandoned her shoulder bag in one of the armchairs, glancing at him on the bed.
"I'm sorry, did I wake you?" Riley asked, setting her shopping down.
"No, I hadn't fallen asleep yet," He replied. That wasn't a lie. Keeping the truth may not have been completely honest, but at least it wasn't a lie. "Did you find what you wanted?"
"Yes," she replied with a satisfied smile, "and I think you will be very pleased, Dr. Reid."
He sat up, hoping she'd show him what he had to look forward to. "What did you buy me?"
Setting her coat and scarf aside, she walked over to the bed. Reid loved how she looked in her jeans and oversized lavender sweater. It was an anomaly how her clothing hid her body so well, yet made him want to touch her even more. Riley sat next to him. "You'll see," was her answer, running one hand teasingly over his corduroy leg.
Reid intended to argue, but instead let out a yawn. Riley's smile faded, looking concerned. "Maybe you're too tired to go out tonight. You can rest and… we can go out again tomorrow."
"No," he answered sternly. "No, I neglected you today because I was so distracted. You deserve a night out."
"Distracted, by what?" She asked, not suspecting he was still thinking about the case.
"Anything that's not you these next two weeks is a distraction," He assured. Again, not a lie. He wanted to give her his complete attention. "I want to take you out to dinner, like we planned."
Riley smiled, brushing his cheek. "And then you can find out what's in my bag." She added with a smile.
He grinned with her. "I look forward to it."
"You won't be disappointed." She added. "Now, I'm going to get a shower and get ready for dinner. Why don't you try to take a nap again?"
Reid nodded, "Sounds perfect. Ready to go… say eight?"
"Eight it is." She stood up, leaning to give him a kiss. Her eyes sparkled as she looked over his face one more time, her delicate fingers running through his hair. The feel of those fingers never got old.
She slipped her wedding and engagement rings off and set them over on her beside table. At last she headed into the bathroom, taking her shopping with her. Reid watched her until the door closed. He leaned back on his pillow and closed his eyes, trying to figure out how he had gotten this lucky.
Marcy waited on the corner puffing on a cigarette. It had been a long day. She'd be happy when this whole homicide was behind her and the hotel could get back to normal. She may be young, but she was a more competent manager than her predecessors. The hotel had turned over a bigger profit in her six months working here than the last six managers before her. There were few complaints from the guests and the staff was kept fresh and competent. One employee that didn't meet her requirements, Marcy would drop him without a second thought. She was not here to be friendly, she was here to make money and be successful. The Grislow was only a stepping stone to something bigger, anyway.
At last, the sound of footsteps were behind her on the street. "Sorry," Andrew called a few feet away. "I couldn't get away. Patricia was complaining about a problem in the laundry room."
"What's the problem?" Marcy asked bitterly, letting her smoke out into the chilly air.
"Nothing you need to worry about," he smiled, leaning in to kiss her. He met her lips, with the bitter taste of nicotine on her breath. Andrew was not a smoker, but he could put up with it if he had the chance to be with her.
Their kiss ended and she stared at him with a pair of wide, powerful eyes. There was no question who the Alpha Dog was in this relationship. Marcy tossed her butt on the concrete, "So… drink at O'Grady's?"
Even if he refused, she'd force them to go there anyway. He nodded, his hand sliding onto her waist. She pulled herself away. "Later,"
She was such a tease, always making him wait. "You always say later. I don't want to wait for later."
A soft smile spread over her. She acted tough, but there was a sweet loving girl in his Marcy Lemon. "Too bad. You are under my authority, and you will do as I say." She glared at him alluringly. "Understood?"
"Understood." He growled, leaning in for another kiss.
Down the alley next to them came a crash, and Andrew had an uneasy feeling. Their lips separated. "Let's go," he said taking her hand.
They headed down the street. Both had a chilling sensation as they made it down to the intersection, refusing to look behind them. If they had, they may have noticed the shadowy figure peering out at the them from around the alley. It didn't follow, back tracking and heading in the other direction. It had more important people to take care of this evening. Marcy Lemon and her cladestine lover were safe for the time being.
At eight o'clock, they left for dinner. Nothing could distract Reid from Riley now, from the minute she walked out of he bathroom. She had yet to fail in stunning him, wearing an outfit of a dark blue dress that shimmered when the light hit it, a slit on the side just a few inches below her hip. Her hair swept back in a barrette of a matching color. She knew he loved her hair swept up like that.
The evening was bliss. Time seemed to slip away from them, the only thought pulling Reid away from the moment was the occasional reminder what was waiting for him when they got back. He had to be the luckiest man in the world to have this amazing woman care about him like this, and he began to wonder why exactly he couldn't focus on her in the first place.
Just before eleven, the cab dropped them off at the hotel. Reid wasn't even worried about checking for messages at the desk, wanting to get Riley upstairs as soon as possible. They waited for the elevator. Reid had his arms wrapped around her from behind, both trying desperately to keep their manners in the lobby. Mostly empty, which was no surprise for this time of night, but enough guests so they weren't totally alone.
"Hey," Riley said, turning her head to meet his eyes. "I'm really glad your back."
"What do you mean?" He asked, letting his hand slide down the fabric of her dress, lingering on her exposed thigh.
"It just seems…" she hesitated, trying to find the right words, afraid saying this may ruin their perfect evening, "ever since we got here… you've been really distracted... like you were a million miles away. I was beginning to think you didn't want to be around me."
"That's ridiculous," Reid replied, leaning to place a kiss below her ear. "I'm sorry I've been distant, I wanted so desperately to give you my full attention." He thought for a moment, "Wait… is that why you wanted to go shopping by yourself today?"
"Well… yeah." She replied with a guilty shrug. "I mean, I wanted to do something for you to help you relax… but I thought if I gave you a break from me, I could kill two birds with one stone."
His nose in her rose scented hair, he retorted, "I did not need a break from you. I was just tired and… had trouble shutting my brain off. You were the only thing I wanted to think about." He moved in order to kiss her neck. "But I have managed to clear my head and all I want to do is be with you and celebrate our marriage."
"Oh," she uttered with a smile, "Then I guess you don't need the special evening I've planned."
She felt him grin against her skin. "Well… maybe I'm not completely relaxed yet."
Riley giggled and turned in his arms so she was facing him, meeting his lips. One hand slipped into his hair as he brought her body against him. The guests in the lobby were completely forgotten as they began to lose themselves in the moment, silently begging the elevator to hurry up.
"Dr. Reid?" a voice asked.
Immediately, Reid and Riley pulled apart. They both looked embarrassed, like two teenagers caught in the back of her father's car. They had been joined by Leonard Bradbury, trying to look calm after such a tiring night.
Riley, having no idea who this man was, seemed nervous this man knew her husband's name. Reid had not expected to see him again. He had thought about stopping by before they left, just to say goodbye and a thank you for being so helpful, but that was it.
"Inspector Bradbury," Reid said, trying to stay calm. "This is a surprise. Uh…" he put his arm around her, "This is my wife, Riley. Riley… this is a friend of Hotch's, Inspector Leonard Bradbury."
"Oh," she said, a bit more pleasantly. She offered her hand. "Nice to meet you, sir."
He took her hand, shaking it cordially, "A pleasure, Mrs. Reid. Aaron's told me so much about you. And congratulations on your marriage."
She swallowed apprehensively. "Thank you."
"Is something wrong, Inspector?" Reid asked.
"Well," He paused to clear his throat, "I was going to leave a message for you at the front desk. However, I saw you waiting for the elevator and I thought I would just speak to you directly."
"What about, sir?" Reid looked to Riley, staring at him curiously.
Bradbury took a deep breath. "You asked me to contact you if there was any new information on the case, correct?"
Reid was suddenly interested, barely noticing the confused and worried look on Riley's face. "There was another murder?" he asked.
"A double homicide," He explained, "At another hotel just a few blocks away."
"Are you sure they're connected to the McClarens?" Reid asked.
"Well, we haven't gotten a full report back yet," He explained, "But the man and woman were killed in a similar way as Mr. and Mrs. McClaren, respectively."
Not knowing the facts of the case yet, he didn't know the separate ways the men and women had been murdered. But even now he could tell the MO was the same. "I see."
"I'm sorry," Riley interrupted, "Why exactly are you talking to him about this? We're not here for work."
"I understand that, Mrs. Reid, and I'm sorry, but your husband did offer his assistance." Bradbury explained.
"Oh, did he?" Riley asked, turning to look at him. Reid was too terrified to meet her eyes. "And when exactly did he speak with you?"
Having no idea Riley was not informed after their meeting today, Bradbury answered. "This afternoon, just after five. He wanted to offer his help on the case here in the hotel."
"Is that a fact?" Riley's attention never left him. At last, Reid bit the bullet and turned to her. She gave him a fake smile, "No wonder you didn't get any sleep."
The elevator door opened finally. Riley stepped on without a word. Arms folded over her chest, protecting her like a security blanket. She pressed the button for their floor and waited. Riley wouldn't even look at him. He knew her well enough to know he was in trouble. A lot of trouble, and he didn't know what to say to her. Especially right now with someone watching.
Bradbury took the intuitive to speak up, "Dr. Reid… if you are still willing to help… I can justify your assistance now."
At last, Reid looked to him, "Really?"
"I'm certain both these events are committed by the same killer," he announced, "I don't have proof yet, but I have a hunch the others are as well. I don't believe higher authority would have a problem using your expertise."
The door to the elevator started to close. Reid held his arm on the door to prevent it from shutting him out. It was slow; who knew how long it would take once it separated them? "What can I do?" he asked.
He took a glance at Riley. He seemed to get the message she had not been consulted on any of this. "Please don't feel obligated to help, Dr. Reid… but if you are willing, you could meet me at Scotland Yard tomorrow morning. Say nine?"
Reid didn't know how to answer that. He wanted to help, and now that he knew he could, he wouldn't be able to think of anything else. "Um… I… I'll call you in the morning and let you know if I can make it."
"Very well," He replied, though he sported a kind smile. "I hope to see you then, just the same. And it was nice meeting you, Mrs. Reid."
"Likewise," Riley said, soft and kind. Though the glisten in her eyes could not be denied.
With that, Bradbury left the couple alone. Reid swallowed nervously, stepping on the elevator as if it were taking him to the gallows.
Riley pressed for their level. The doors slid closed. They rose, the car seeming even slower going up. "Are you okay?" Reid asked.
She stood at least a foot away from him. "I'm fine," she replied, her tone dangerously soft. They rode in silence the rest of the agonizingly slow way.
