After meeting with the rest of the team, Reid and Morgan headed straight to the crime scene. It was a quiet ride. It was obvious Reid's mind was much too busy to be involved in any lighthearted conversation, although Morgan knew their previous talk would not be forgotten.
Since Reid knew his way to the suite, a police escort was not required. The two were alone inside, riding with nothing but the hum of the gears for company. Morgan wasn't sure if Reid was concentrating on the case or still upset from earlier.
Reid involuntarily yawned, rubbing the tired from his eyes. "Did you get any sleep last night?" Morgan asked.
"No," He muttered fighting to ward off his exhaustion. "I've got too much on my mind... hopefully Hotch is right and this will lead us in the right direction."
"It will. If we don't find it here, Prentiss will get it out of Riley. I'd seriously be surprised if we don't at least know who our unsub is by the end of the day." Morgan stated.
He wanted to feel reassured by that, but he just didn't. He probably wouldn't feel better until this killer was in custody. The door chimed open and Reid gathered what little confidence he had as the two men stepped onto the floor.
The crime team was just about finished as Reid and Morgan arrived. The new manager was keeping watch by the door, barely acknowledging the agents as they stepped in. The two ducked under the crime tape and came in one by one. Morgan took an immediate look around the room, nodding with approval.
"Nice, kid." He called, taking a quick scan of the place. In the next room, he spotted the bed, still made neatly and the partially melted candles all along the room. "I'm sorry you had to give all this up for our cheap hotel."
"Don't be... it's not like we got to enjoy it." Reid explained as he began a sweep around the sitting room. It was fairly clear; they hadn't spent much time in here as it was. He stepped through the double doors into the bedroom, his eyes alert and active as he searched for the obvious clues.
"What do you mean?" Morgan wondered. "You guys must have had a couple of good days before you got caught up in this, right?"
"If you must know," Reid muttered as carefully pushed open the bathroom door, "And I know you must, Riley and I haven't really been together since our wedding night."
He took a quick look around the bathroom without stepping in. Water was still flooded on the floor, ruining the robe and the nightgown left behind. The water sat in the tub with the bubbles fizzled away, cold for certain. The streak of blood had dried on the porcelain. There was no hope of getting any evidence in here.
"Really?" Morgan asked. Reid wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he swore there was pity in his voice.
"Really." He answered, looking at him as if to prove his point. "I know you find this whole circumstance very humorous, but I'd appreciate if you'd refrain-"
"Oh, come on, kid. I'm not going to make fun of you." He interrupted, waving it off. "I know I teased you before but, honestly I feel bad. You guys have been through enough, you don't deserve to have your honeymoon ruined... especially by some deranged killer."
"Thanks," He mumbled. He walked over to the bed, beginning to search on the bedside table. Reid's fingertips danced over the wood, trying to find what his eyes couldn't see... but they found nothing. "I wish I could figure out how we encountered this guy, it might give us a clue."
"Okay, well, let's think about that." Morgan said, taking the intuitive to check on Reid's side of the bed for evidence. "Did you guys talk to anybody strange or suspicious since you got here?"
Reid's first thought was back on the plane. The grumpy man who glared at him every time Reid kicked his chair. But that was immediately dismissed. The McClarens had to have been murdered while they were on the plane, Reid and Riley themselves were his alibi.
"There was the girl at reception... then Marcy Lemon... the bell boy who brought up our bags... he's a possibility. He saw me carry Riley over the threshold, he would have known right then we were newlyweds."
"Then why didn't he strike you guys the first night?" Morgan's voice was muffled as he was looking under the bed. He came back into view and tossed a red sock onto the bed spread. "You left that under there."
Reid ignored it, dropping to his knees to check under the bed. His search was a lot more important than a red sock. "Well, after that was Lemon's assistant, who's dead now... then Inspector Bradbury... after that we spent most of the time at the station..."
At that, he sat back on his knees, confused. Morgan stood back and watched him as he frantically kept searching. "What are you looking for, Reid?"
"Riley's rings," He cried, his fingers feeling along the soft carpet under the table. "She left them on this table last night and now there nowhere to be found!"
"Maybe she left them on the sink or on the dresser over there." Morgan suggested.
"No, she always sets them here." He pointed to the table top as he got back to his feet. "Ever since I proposed, she's always put her engagement ring right on her bedside table... so she can put it back on as soon as she wakes up." Shaking his head, he checked around the table again. They had to be here.
"Reid," Morgan called, trying to get him to relax. "They're not there. The unsub must have taken them."
That could not be true. No, he promised her. He swore he'd get them and put them back on her hand. This was the one promise he had to keep. "Why..." He mumbled. "There's no evidence the unsub takes trophies... why would he take her rings?"
"You guys got away." Morgan stated. "He probably came back after you guys left... maybe he took the rings... as a reminder."
At that, he had a fleeting thought to call his wife, just to hear her voice and make sure she was safe. But he didn't. Riley hated it when he was overprotective. He turned, getting back to searching the suite. The sooner they finished here, they sooner he'd see her at the station.
Moving to the other side of the bedroom, Reid started to rifle through their luggage for any other missing items. Morgan's destination was the windows, checking the locks and trying to see if anyone outside could have been watching them.
"At least you're safe with us." Morgan pointed out, testing the structural integrity of the lock. "It's going to be okay, just try not to think about it too much."
"That's good advice." Reid replied. "I just need to take my mind off of it... maybe it would help if I thought about you and Emily instead."
With a groan, Morgan looked up at the ceiling for a moment. "I thought we covered this already."
"Think again." Reid corrected. "In what way do you and Emily think what you're doing is a good idea?"
"We never said we did." He corrected. It seemed investigating the crime scene had slipped both their minds. "You know you can't judge me kid, after the things you've done."
Reid met his eye, deciding to level with him. "What I did with Riley back then was wrong. I admit that and accept that, and it could have ruined my career and broken up the team... but the circumstance was different."
"How was it different, Reid?" He yelled, loud enough to be heard by anyone in the next room, were they not alone. "They only difference is Riley didn't work on the team."
Reid was amazed. Morgan wasn't stupid enough to miss something so obvious. "Because... I was in love with her. I wouldn't admit it in the beginning, but I know as well as you did then... I loved her."
Tensing up, Morgan's eyes darted away. "Yeah... you're right."
He turned away just a split second before Reid's jaw dropped. If he were trying to hide it, Morgan was very poor at it. "Oh my God..."
Morgan would give anything to end this conversation right now. It was his turn to check the bathroom, wondering if ruining his shoes on the wet floor was worth getting away from this discussion.
"You're falling for her." Reid announced.
He had to admit, when Garcia had theorized it a few days ago, he was skeptical. Now, seeing it with his own eyes, it was crystal clear. "So... you guys have been together... for over a year?"
"We're not together!" Morgan argued. "For some reason you're having trouble getting your enormous brain around this so listen to me while I explain. Emily and I spend the night together, but that's where our obligation ends. We're not committed, we're not tied down, we're free to do whatever we want. That is the extent of our... relationship."
His attention remained in the bathroom. His shoulders were hunched and Reid had a fear if he kept going, Morgan was going to slug him. But he couldn't let this go. "It doesn't seem like that's the extent of it. Look, Morgan, I'm not going to tell you what to do. I'm not going to warn you or anything, but... it's just things like this don't usually turn out well... and someone usually gets hurt. I don't want that to happen."
Finally, Morgan turned around. It was his turn to be shocked. "You can go to Hell, Reid. If you even think that I would do anything to hurt Emily, you don't know me in the least. I would never cause her pain if I can help it. How dare you think otherwise!"
Reid pursed his lips slightly as he hesitated, unsure how to say this. "I wasn't talking about Emily."
Morgan's anger dissolved and he was somewhat confused. "Reid..." He spoke slowly, "you're worried... she's going to break... my heart?"
With a shrug, "Come on, Morgan, I've been down this road before. I don't regret anything that happened. I'd go through it again in a heartbeat... but I went through hell because I was in love with a girl... if you feel this strongly for her and you keep this up... you'll get hurt. I don't want to see you in that pain."
"Well, you're timing couldn't be worse." He announced. Letting out a sigh, he shook his head. "Emily and I had a fight after we left your room this morning... and we're done." He left out Emily's threat to transfer out of the BAU. One crisis at a time.
"Just like that?" Reid wondered. "How can you let her get away?"
"I'm getting advice from you on that subject?" He said with a cock of his eyebrow, amused.
"No, but I figured you would learn from my mistake." He corrected. "Does she even know how you feel?"
He was done with this. "It wouldn't matter, she doesn't want me. If she did... I would know."
With that, he hurried into the sitting room again. Reid quickly followed, not so easily shaken. "Not necessarily. Emily is not the typical floozy you take home after drinking. She's a special kind of girl, the kind that doesn't come along every day. Emily doesn't have a tendency to put what she wants first... she deserves a different approach."
"You need to drop this, Reid." He snapped. If he didn't shut up soon, he was going to end up hitting him. And not just because he didn't want to admit he was right.
"Just explain to me why you can't just be straight with her?"
"I don't recall your intelligence including the aspects of romance and relationships!" Morgan cried, whipping around. "Being married a week does not make you an expert."
"See, that's your problem! You need to stop deflecting. You've always treated me like I'm some kid, well guess what? The tables have turned. I've got more experience in this area than you do, so listen to me. If you love her, if you want her to be with you - only you - then be a man and just say so! Sit her down, talk to her and tell her how you feel."
Morgan knew he was right. Accepting defeat he let out a loud sigh. "And if she says she doesn't want me?"
"Then you do what you have to do to move on." Reid answered. "She may not feel the same way... but then again, she might surprise you."
It wasn't like he could ruin this any further. But annoyed with Reid, he rolled his eyes and turned away again, getting back to work.
"Just think about." Reid added, feeling like he had failed. He could feel their team breaking up already.
The sitting room seemed like a waste of time, being so neat and untouched. The men skimmed over it anyway. "So you really have no idea who this unsub could be?"
"No one who fits what we've already determined of the profile." Reid replied. He rubbed one of his eyes as he walked, still trying to ward off this growing fatigue. He stood before the little table with their forgotten dinner. He spotted the teacup sitting on the linen. The little bit of coffee sitting in it was most certainly cold.
After a loud yawn, Reid grumbed. "I wish I could have had some coffee this morning."
Morgan gave a chuckle, "Me, too. We'll stop and get some when we're done."
"With a lot of sugar." Reid added, going to take one last look in the bedroom.
He stopped in his tracks as an epiphany suddenly struck him. Backtracking, he returned to the table, looking over the contents for coffee. There was creamer containing milk and bowl holding a small amount of liquid sugar.. Thinking back, the evidence now was obvious; the shattered teacup at the Waterfall... there was an empty cup at the assistant's desk in Lemon's office... it was so obvious, why hadn't he thought of it before?
"Oh my God." Reid muttered, looking into the puddle of syrup, drying up quickly.
"What is it, Reid?" Morgan wondered.
Without another word, Reid hurried to the hall. He found Lemon's replacement, standing in his solitude. "Who delievered room service to this room last night?"
"I don't know," Was all he replied. This was the last thing he wanted to deal with, especially the first week on the job.
His patience was not to be tested at the moment. "I need you to find out. Because whoever brought up that order is responsible for poisoning my wife and he needs to be brought in for questioning."
The manager became very solemn. This was a very serious matter and being difficult would only make this worse. "I'll find the information for you, straight away."
"Thank you. Two inspectors from Scotland Yard will be here shortly to escort them." Reid assured.
"Very well, sir." And with that, hurried to the elevator. Reid watched until he was gone, Morgan joining him in the hall. He'd heard the whole thing.
"You really think the waiter is our unsub?" Morgan wondered, skeptical.
"I don't know, that would be a bit too easy." Reid replied. "But I know how the poison got into the victims. He mixes it with sugar water, just like I suspected. The victim has tea or, in Riley's case, coffee, mixes in the sugar concoction and is none the wiser until they're intoxicated."
"You wouldn't even have to know the victim uses sugar." He added. "Assuming someone adds a sweetner to their drink is a smart bet. It's offered automatically with room service, the unsub would just have to switch the real sugar with the cocktail when the tray's unattending. It's got to go through at least five different people before it's ready to be brought up."
Reid nodded, looking back into the suite. His arms folded over his chest. It explained a lot, and it gave them a good lead to follow. They were still missing something, though, and had no idea what. Irritated and edgy, Reid pushed past Morgan into the room once again, desperate to find another clue.
Emily and Riley stopped at a corner store on the way to breakfast that morning. It was the most productive of decisions, but after a stressful week and a brush with death the night before, Riley felt she needed something to calm her nerves. She flicked the lighter and quickly lit a cigarette, taking a long drag.
Exhaling with relief, the white smoke drifted into the chilly, London air. Meeting Emily's eyes, she said regretfully, "Please don't tell Spencer."
"Don't worry about it." Emily shrugged. Riley offered her the pack, but she waved it off. "No, thanks, I quit a long time ago."
She shoved the pack into her bag. "I keep promising Spencer I'll quit. And believe me, I've been trying... it's just, every now and again... especially when I'm nervous or he's out of town... the only thing that relaxes me is one of these."
The girls started to head down the sidewalk, walking at a leisurely pace. "I understand. I'm so sorry you're having such a tough time. I knew you were worried about this trip... I just hoped all the worry was unprecedented."
"No more so than me... where are we heading, anyway?" Riley asked, looking around as they reached the corner.
"Oh, there's this really great diner nearby that I love to stop at when I'm in London." Emily explained. The street clear, the girls began to cross over. "I know England is not known for it's food, but you'll love this place. I'm sure you're starving after last night."
Riley flicked some of her ash onto the street. "Yeah, and I bet I'm not the only one."
She met Emily's disturbed expression with a sweet simper. She felt so guilty, putting her own desires ahead of her friend's problems last night.
"We didn't plan that, you know." Emily shook her head. "We don't normally engage in that while on a case, it's just... we've been having a tough time-"
"Em, it's okay," Riley chuckled. "It's nice someone's having sex on my honeymoon."
Unable to help it, Emily smiled. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. We promised we'd keep it a secret and I know you don't work on the team, but... it was just easier this way."
"I'm glad you didn't tell me. The first time is one thing, but I couldn't know that secret and not tell Spencer. You saw how angry he was before, he'd furious with me right now. Attack or not."
"I have to admit, though, it's nice to finally admit the truth to someone." She sighed, like a huge weight had been removed from her body. "You have no idea how hard it is to keep up this facade."
"I can't believe you guys did this for a whole year." Riley mentioned. "So you were never fighting, it was entire act?"
"At first, we were fighting." She explained. "But after the Nathan Harris case... we came to this understanding. In front of people we knew, we pretended to hate each other... behind closed doors, we gave into our attraction."
"No offense, but that's kind of a cold way of putting it." She noted.
"Honestly, that's all our relationship is... or lack thereof, should I say." Emily clarified. "We came to an understanding... we're basically just friends with benefits. We can date and be with whoever we want, we keep the emotion out of it and we continue with this until the flame burns out."
But her words didn't match her expression. The way her eyes darted away, the sad way she hung her head as she spoke. The woman was tormented by her emotions.
"So, I'm right in assuming you haven't told him you want more?" Riley asked, exhaling more smoke into the air above her.
Shocked, Emily looked at her. "What makes you think that?"
"Come on, Em, I recognize that attitude. That's me, two years ago when I was in Seattle." Riley said.
She hadn't realized that. Emily couldn't forget seeing Riley and Reid together, struggling with trying to accept how they felt. She and the others had attempted to push the two in the right direction. "I'm not going to lie... taking away the player side of him, Morgan is such a fantastic guy. He's so sweet... he planed the most romantic evening with all my favorite things... he got up early, just to surprise me when I was inspecting your place... and sometimes... I catch him looking at me... and I never feel more beautiful."
"Whoa wait," Riley cried, grabbing her arm to stop them both. "You checked on the apartment... with Morgan?"
"Yes," Emily answered, apprehensive.
She really hoped she was just out on a limb, but her instincts told her otherwise. "You two were alone in our apartment... and you're... friends with benefits?"
"Um... yeah," She tried to sound casual, but it came out as a nervous squeak.
She hesitated a bit. "Please... just to put my warped mind at ease... assure me you didn't have sex in my bed, Emily."
Emily gasped and immediately assured, "I changed the sheets before we left."
"Oh, my God, Emily!" Riley cried, loud enough to gain the attention of a group of uniformed kids walking to school.
"I'm sorry, we didn't plan that, either." Emily cried.
"I can't believe you..." She noticed the teens and lowered her voice, "you had sex in my bed!"
"It was Morgan's idea." Emily said, smiling guiltily.
Riley couldn't help but match it, "It better have been damn good, that's all I have to say."
"Well, if you makes you feel any better... last night was our last time." Emily turned, facing down the street again. They stood at another corner, waiting to cross.
Concerned, "What do you mean? What happened?"
Reluctantly, Emily explained the fight she and Morgan had after leaving the Reids' room that morning. It felt like a bad dream... if only she could just go back to those last few moments.
"Morgan was very definitive in his statement. I'd say there's no use to argue." She finished.
"And that's it?" Riley asked. "You're not going to fight for him? Go after him? Admit you were wrong?"
"I wasn't wrong!" Emily yelled. "I'm tired of this... I'm tired of him and needing to chase everything in a skirt. This is over and I couldn't be happier about it."
"Right," Riley added, at last tossing her butt on the ground. She stamped it with her foot for good measure. "And I've never done anything immoral with my patients."
"When we get back to America, I'm requesting to transfer out of the BAU."
It was Riley's turn to be stunned. She looked to Emily with worry, as if afraid she was falling ill from a mental disease.
"What?" Emily snapped. Anything to get that pathetic look off her face.
"How can you just let each other go?" She asked.
With a roll of her eyes, "I'm really getting advice from you?"
"Let's take my past history out of this equation. As a therapist, let me just say this..." She paused, clearing her throat. This needed to come out as clear as possible. "You can't just let each other go, not when you care so much about each other. You can use the excuse about your job or your age or your reputation, but the truth is you're scared. Emily, you're too afraid to admit the truth."
"Why wouldn't I admit it? Explain that to me, Dr. Parker." She was starting to get angry and wasn't sure what would come out of her mouth if she became anymore upset.
"You afraid of being rejected." Riley explained. "Emily, you and I are so similar. I think that's why we've become such good friends over the last couple of years. So you know I understand. You've been rejected by everyone else in your life. Your parents, your family, your friends. You've never been in a position to feel unconditional love. And to wind up in a job that makes solid relationships and friendships next to impossible just makes the situation worse for you. After all this time..." She paused, a gentle hand running down her arm. "Your mind has twisted enough to make you believe that you don't need it... because no one will ever feel otherwise about you."
She suddenly lost the ability to speak. The girls had stopped in their tracks again and Emily was looking to the pavement at her feet. Riley lowered her voice, stepping closer. She spoke only loud enough for the two to feel.
"Talk to him." She ordered. "These games and tactics we would use worked when we were twenty... but we're adults now. It's better just to be direct. You know what you want, so just tell him."
"I can't tell him," Emily whispered.
"Yes, you can. You have to." Riley continued. "I lost so much time with Spencer because I was too scared to take a chance on him. I had to wait until what I thought was the last few moments of my life to tell him how I felt. Learn from my mistake, Emily. Don't lose him just because you're too afraid.
She really couldn't see that happening. This was going to be a disaster... but she didn't ask Morgan... she would wonder for the rest of her life if... just maybe...
"Take my advice, put off telling anyone about transferring for now." She said. "Just talk to him, tell him how you feel. You have to take a chance on something sometimes, especially something that might change your whole life for the better. Maybe he doesn't want anything more serious, but... if he cares about you as much as I suspect... he may want to take that chance, too."
Emily had never been filled with more doubt in her life. Her insecurity and fear made her feel like some child terrified of the dark. But she hid her insecurities and nodded. "Okay... let's get through this case and... I promise, I will talk to him."
"That's all I ask." Riley smiled, patting her arm.
Craig Ellers sat in the interrogation room, alone, still wearing his uniform from last night. He was trying to keep calm, but his trembling body told otherwise. His gave the impression of a doe in the headlights. Through the two-way mirror, Reid stared at him sternly while Hotch and Bradbury cautiously watched Reid.
"He's not the unsub, Reid." Hotch stated plainly.
Reid nodded without arguement. "Oh, I know... but that doesn't mean he doesn't know who it is. He could just be an accomplice."
"I don't understand," Bradbury said, glancing into the room at the terrified young man. "How can you be sure until you speak with him."
"A person's body language tells a lot about how a person is feeling." Hotch explained. "Ellers' describes a person who's ansty, unsure what he's about to encounter. Which could either mean he's involved and is afraid he's going to take blame for everything or he's totally innocent."
"Yeah, well, we'll see." Reid added. Files under his arm, he went to the door.
"Reid," Hotch called, grabbing his attention. With fierce, foreboding gaze, he looked to Hotch. "You cannot be intimidating in there. Saying the wrong thing could snowball this into an international incident. I know you're worried, but you need to be civil. Understood?"
He did. Reid knew of several occurances that spiraled out of control because of miscommunications in a foreign country. Taking a moment to calm his breathing, he stepped into the interrgation room. Hotch and Bradbury were right behind him.
Ellers sat up as the men joined him. He watched the carefully, eyeing the files, suddenly desperate to know what was in them. "Mr. Ellers," Bradbury spoke first. "My name is Inspector Leonard Bradbury, I work in the homocide division of Scotland Yard. Thank you for coming in today."
"I didn't really have much of a choice." He replied with a shrug. He watched the other two men; Hotch's intimidating glare sent a shudder down his spine.
"Allow me to introduce Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Hotchner and Special Agent Dr. Spencer Reid, they're with the Federal Bureau of Investigation."
Confused, "I've never heard of that."
"We're from America, we're assisting Scotland Yard in a murder investigation." Hotch explained. Though he was stern, he spoke politely to the young man. "May we have a seat?"
He nodded, his curiousity making him even more afraid. Reid and Hotch sat down with Bradbury, staring down the young man.
Reid took charge of the investigation. He opened the top folder, folding his hands over it. "Mr. Ellers... you delivered an order of room service to Suite 18 last night, before midnight, correct?"
"I..." he thought for a moment. Just by the direction his eyes darted, it was obvious he was simply trying to remember. "I think so... I delivered to a few suites last night, on all the luxury floors."
"The woman in that room was an American." Hotch said.
"Oh..." He smiled, remembering. "Yes, she's very nice. She gave me a lovely tip... why? Did something happen to her?"
There was a long silence. Reid couldn't tell if he was geniunely concerned or if he were tryng to rub it in. Instead, Hotch answered, "Something you brought up last night was laced with poison."
"Oh my God," He exclaimed, frightened.
His next statement was a surprise, to all three of them. "Is she alright?"
"Why is she your concern?" Reid asked coldly. "You're not at all shocked there was almost another murder in the hotel last night?"
"I just... I checked over the tray before I brought it up. I'm the last one to inspect it before it's delivered." He explained. "I can't understand how poison got into the food. What exactly was infected?"
"The liquid sugar." Bradbury explained. "It seems the poison was mixed in so it would would be drank in tea or coffee by the victims."
"Liquid..." He shook his head. "No, that doesn't make sense... we don't use liquid sugar."
"What?" Reid wondered.
"We use sugar cubes." Ellers informed.
Now they were getting somewhere. Reid looked to Hotch, knowing they were thinking the same thing. "Did you put the coffee on the tray?"
"No, one of the kitchen staff puts the tea and supplies on the tray. it's almost never touched by the cooks or the bell boys."
"Do you know who was on staff last night?" Bradbury voiced.
"We've been short staffed over the last few days, so no." He replied. "Lemon sacked a lot of people after getting some complaints about the staff and when the murders started happening, even more quit. It was very mysterious, quite honestly. The remaining staff had to double up. I can't say for sure who was helping in the kitchen that night."
"It could have been anyone, then." Hotch noted.
"Did you see anyone else go in or out of that suite last night?" Reid wondered.
"Yes, actually." He cried, as if delighted he had some evidence that pointed the blame off him.
Reid's breath caught in his chest as Bradbury asked. "Who?"
"It was about midnight... I was delivering towels to a room down the hall... a man was going into the room, but I think he had a key."
Rolling his eyes, Reid let out a sigh. "That was me."
"Oh..." Ellers replied. "I uh..."
"She's my wife, which is why I'm so concerned about this." Reid leaned across the table, his voice lowering to a deadly tone. "I need you to think, was there anything unusual about last night. Someone you were working with or spoke to?"
Taking deep breath, he considered it. "Well... to be honest, I'm usually not supposed to deliver towels."
"How is that out of the ordinary?" Hotch wondered.
"I'm a bell boy, bringing up toiletries is supposed to be a maid's job." Explained Ellers. "But, like I said, we're short staffed. The maid who was working couldn't be found. She has a tendency to wander off, though."
It wasn't much to go on, but Hotch wondered something. "Do you have any idea if she disappeared before the two other attacks happened?"
"To be honest, I don't know." Ellers said. "I can't remember. I don't even know if she was working those nights."
They realized they had reached another dead end. Without the right idea of what to ask, they knew they weren't going to get any more information out of this man, not without a complete profile. "If you don't mind, we'd like you to remain here for a time, just until we clear a few things up. We might have some more questions for you." Bradbury said.
Ellers didn't object, though he did seem a bit bothered at having to remain here. As the three men stood to leave, he called out to Reid.
"I'm sorry about what happened to your wife, sir."
Looking back at him, his attitude had softened. "Thank you... if you think of anything else that may be out of the ordinary... please don't hesitate. We need to know."
And with that, the two mean slipped out of the room.
Once the door closed, Hotch folded his arms, lowering his voice to evade eavesdroppers. "He had nothing to do with this. Our only clue is whoever put the sugar onto the tray."
"That could have been anyone. It could have been an outsider pretending to work there. If the kitchen was hectic, he could have been in there without alerting anyone."
"Good point," Bradbury said. "When it gets busy here, I can't pinpoint one inspector for another. I imagine a hotel kitchen is the same way."
"But at 11:30 at night?" Hotch wondered.
At that, Reid checked his watch again. It only made him more agitated. "What is, Reid?" He asked.
"Nothing... I'm just wondering where Riley and Emily are." He said. "I asked JJ to let me know when they got here. I have no idea what's keeping them."
"Well, Prentiss knows the city pretty well. Maybe she just took her out to enjoy it a little bit." Hotch said, trying to ease his nerves.
He let out a groan and allowed his free hand to run through his hair. "Yeah, maybe... I need a break. I'll meet you in the conference room in fifteen minutes."
Shoving the files at Hotch, Reid hurried off. He couldn't ever remember feeling this stressed before. He was exhausted, he was stressed, he was agitated and the three together was a dangerous combination. He couldn't think right when he was like this... and if he didn't get into the right frame of mind, he wasn't going to be any use to anyone.
"Hey, stranger." Eden's voice said as he came into the break room. She was dunking a bag into a cup of steaming water. "You look like a zombie. Are you alright?"
"That's a really dumb question." He grumbled, snatching up a mug.
"Touchy," She sneered. "We can't all be geniuses, you know."
He didn't reply. Reid poured out some coffee and went to dump an offensive amount of sugar into it. "How's the misses?"
"She's... okay. Better." He stirred to help the grains dissolve. "I just wish she'd get here already. I hate when she's late!"
"Oh come on. I know you're worried, but what could happen to her in broad daylight?" Eden wondered. She removed her teabag and dropped it in a trash bin.
Reid emitted an irritated chuckle. "This is not the time nor the place to get into that story."
Eden grinned lightly as she went to squeeze some honey into her hot tea. "She'll be fine. You worry too much."
"Dr. Reid!" another voice cried as she ran into the room. Reid turned suddenly, startled. Immediately, he spotted Bridget Murphey looking rather harrassed, like she'd run the whole way here.
"Bridget." He said, concerned. "Are you alright?"
"I need your help. It's my sister!" She paused to try and catch her breath. "Someone's after her."
"What do you mean? How do you know that?" He wondered.
"I came in this morning after getting some breakfast. There was this strange doctor examining her IV and was very startled when I walked in. He said he was just checking on her and left before I could ask who he was. I was so worried he was going to hurt my sister. I had to come and find you, you're the only one who can help me."
"Why did you leave her there?" He was suddenly panicked. "If no one's watching her-"
"She's not at the hospital." She explained. "I managed to sneak her out and I took her somewhere safe. She's talking much better now, I need you to speak with her. She said she'll only speak to you."
"Alright, let me inform my team, maybe send someone to the hospital-"
"There isn't time!" She cried. "Please, we have to leave now. I can't leave her alone too long. Please!"
"Alright," Reid said soothingly. He looked to Eden, setting his coffee back down. Speaking quietly, he said, "I should be back soon, let the others know where I went. And my wife when she gets here."
"I will." She assured, empathetically.
Reid checked his watch one more time. Where the hell was Riley? He had a gnawing feeling he should call her or Emily and demand to know where they were, but he didn't have the time. All he could do was hope he was just overreacting. Grabbing his coat, he left quickly with Bridget, forcing the thousand terrible thoughts and images from his mind.