Reid picked up the file that Hotch needed. He started down the long corridor. With each step, the end of the hallway seemed to get further and further away. He finally reached the interrogation room and stood outside the door. He looked down to the folder in his hands and stared at it, as if time stood still.
"Are you waiting for the door to open for you?" Rossi asked, standing behind him.
"What?" He thought for a second. "Oh, I was just making sure I didn't forget anything before I went in."
Rossi nodded then opened the door. He approached the one-way mirror and knocked on the glass.
Reid slowly entered the room as he was building up the courage to see his old friend.
Hotch and Prentiss stood up and went into the observation room to see Rossi. "What do you have?" Hotch asked.
"She hasn't had any visitors, no phone calls, not a single letter. Garcia is trying to track down any family members but it doesn't look like she has any." Rossi informed.
"She doesn't have any." Reid spoke up. Then realized what he was saying. "At least none that was listed in her file." He knew that her parents made her an orphan and she went from one foster home to another. She used to say that she would probably be dead or on the streets if she wasn't recruited.
Reid handed over the file to Hotch. The three of them spoke as Reid took steps toward the glass. He finally gazed upon the woman he had tried to not think about in six years. He tried to forget about her… about their friendship that he once thought was so strong. But he never could.
Alex looked up at the mirror. He felt as though she knew he was there. She then looked back down at her restrained hands. He watched her as she began to hum to herself. It was a song that Reid knew all too well. She hummed it all the time, even sang it in the shower. She was obsessed with Crazy by Patsy Cline. A smirk came to his face when he thought about how that song even helped them on a mission.
Reid entered an elegant nightclub with Alex on his arm. They were dressed to the nines, looking like a wealthy, young couple. A trio played on a small stage in the corner of the room, but no one seemed to be paying attention. Their mission: plant a tracking device on their mark, Mark Winters.
After waiting for almost an hour, Winters showed up. Sullivan was undercover as a waiter. But any time he tried to get close enough, he wasn't able to plant the device without going unnoticed.
Alex leaned into Reid. "How are we going to do this? We need a distraction."
"Give me a second." Reid approached the piano player. He whispered in his ear and then she saw him hand over some money as he pointed to Alex. He went to her and grabbed her arm.
"What are you doing?" She questioned.
"I told him how much my girlfriend wanted to sing. He said it would be no problem."
"Spencer, I can't do that!" She resisted.
"You will be great. Plus, this is the distraction we need."
They both got up on stage. Reid slid next to the piano player and studied the keys. He then started to play the opening notes to Crazy. The bass player and drummer joined in.
She turned to him and smiled as he continued to play. Alex stepped up to the microphone and sang well enough to give Patsy Cline a run for her money. The plan worked. Everyone in the club stopped what they were doing and focused on Alex. Sullivan was able to plant the tracker and move away before the song was over.
"Do you agree, Reid?" Hotch asked.
"Huh? What?" He looked at his boss.
"We believe that she has been in communication with someone, and not in the traditional way. Do you think that is possible?" Hotch stared at Reid.
"Yes. Given her knowledge. I wouldn't be surprised if she has had some sort of alternative communication since she hasn't had any visitors in six years."
Hotch nodded at Reid. He and Prentiss went back into the interrogation room.
"Now, that I definitely noticed." Rossi pointed out.
"Noticed what?" Reid, once again became defensive.
Rossi stepped closer to him. "There is something bothering you. You are off… even for you."
Reid was tired of lying. He just wanted to tell the truth… but he couldn't. "Rossi, I promise you that I will tell you. But I can't do that right now. I need to deal with this on my own."
Rossi looked at him and could see the struggle in his eyes. "I can respect that. I will make a deal with you."
Reid looked back at the senior agent, curious.
"I will back off and allow you to sort through whatever you need. Know that I am here for you when you need me. But," Rossi took a step closer. "If this affects how you do your job. Affects this case, then I can't allow you to continue. We need your head in this. Can you do that?"
Reid nodded. "Yes, thanks, Rossi."
"No problem, Kid." Rossi tapped his shoulder. He then left the room, leaving Reid alone to watch the interview.
Reid stepped back to the one-way mirror to study the woman he thought he knew.
Alex sighed then looked up to Hotch and Prentiss. "I want to help you, but I have a problem."
"What's that?" Prentiss asked.
"I don't trust you. Knight has his hooks everywhere, in some very powerful people. How do I know that you aren't some of those people?" Alex asked.
"Because we aren't" Hotch stated, matter-of-factly.
"I wish I couldn't believe you, but I can't." Alex started to show fear.
"What can we do to help you?" Prentiss looked her in the eyes, showing her sincerity.
"I will only talk to my old partner." Alex became calm and sure of herself. "I trust him."
Reid stared back at her in shock. Unsure of what he should do.