Alex unlocked the door to the apartment, and everyone followed her inside. Prentiss and Rossi went straight to the materials displayed on the walls and started to analyze them.
"The person who did this is compulsive and organized," Prentiss said.
"That goes without saying," Rossi added.
"The timeline starts here," Hugh said as he pointed out the starting point by the door. "And then proceeds to move around this way."
"And this is exactly how you found it?" Prentiss asked.
"Yes, we haven't touched them, only took pictures," Alex said.
Alex moved to the end of the collage and skimmed over then again when suddenly her eyes caught a bit of yellow behind one of the photos. She lifted the picture to see a yellow postcard with Virginia written across the front. She peeled the tape from the wall and held it in her hand. She flipped it over to see the words 'Wish you were here' written on the back.
Her heart raced as she held the clue in her hand. She looked up and met Hugh's eye and gave a nod of her head towards her way. Hugh casually moved to her with a puzzled look. She showed him the postcard.
"We need to get to Virginia," he whispered.
Alex walked to Rossi. "So, did you guys find anything interesting?" she asked as she slid the postcard into her back pocket.
"Interesting is an understatement. But yes. I am going to get Aaron on the phone and get everyone out here," Rossi said.
Headlights of a black SUV cut through the darkness of the evening. It pulled up in front of the Chinese restaurant and parked. Hotch and the rest of the BAU exited the vehicle, where they met with Rossi on the sidewalk.
"The apartment is just upstairs," Rossi said as he held the key in his hand.
Alex stepped out of the restaurant, and the rest followed. "It's exactly the way I found it, Aaron."
"Let's go have a look." Hotch wasted no time going for the door.
"Roman," Reid said as he extended his hand. "It's been too long."
"Better late than never," Roman said as they shook hands.
Reid turned to his old friend. "Hugh. I'm glad you could help out on this one."
"Anything for Charles."
"So, what is it?" Reid asked.
"What is what?" Alex questioned.
"What are you not saying?"
Alex looked to her crew then back to her husband. "We found another postcard. It was taped to the wall under a photo." Alex pulled out the folded postcard from her back pocket and handed it to him.
"Wish you were here," Reid read aloud. "How does this connect?"
"Well, it means that this is where we leave you," Alex said as she took the postcard back.
"Leave me?"
"We are going to head to Virginia."
"What are you talking about? We just got here."
"Yes, I know. I can see you. But the clue is leading us to Virginia," Alex stated.
"Let's discuss it with the team first."
"Spencer. I am not waiting for permission from the FBI to go to Virginia. This postcard was meant for me, not them. As soon as I saw the connection to the pictures I sent it to you, I did the right thing, and I called it in. I didn't have to do that. You have that case to solve, and I have my own," Alex said sharply.
Roman took a step backward. "Perhaps we should—"
Alex held out her hand toward Roman while keeping her eyes on Reid. "You aren't going anywhere."
"So, what are you going to do, Alex? Sneak off in the middle of the night?" Reid asked.
"I could have left hours ago. We waited for you to show up. I wanted to tell you what we found. There is nothing more I can do from here. I need to see where this leads me."
Reid looked to the men standing on either side of her, then back to Alex and let out a deep breath. "Okay," he said calmly. "Please be safe. And tell me what you find."
"Of course," Alex said. She gave him a hug and a quick peck on the cheek. "I'll call you in the morning."
"Try to get some sleep," Reid said. Then looked to the others. "All of you. You're no good to Charles if a bunch of zombies are looking for him."
Roman stepped out toward the street and raised his arm and flagged down a taxi. He got in as Hugh stood next to the door. "This is the right thing to do," Hugh called out.
Reid nodded back. He then turned to Alex and kissed her. "Go on. I'll explain to Hotch."
Alex rushed to the cab and jumped in. She shut the door and stared back to Reid as it drove away.
Reid headed up to the apartment to join his team. He entered the room to see them scattered around each studying different parts of the collage. "Anything interesting?"
Hotch turned around. He looked back toward the doorway then back to Reid. "Where's Alex?"
"Uh, she had something she needed to take care of."
Hotch's eyebrows furrowed. "When can we expect her back?"
"I can honestly say that I'm not sure," Reid replied then pursed his lips.
"Is there something that I need to know about?" Hotch asked.
"No, she is following a lead that has nothing to do with the pictures that I was sent," Reid said plainly.
Hotch stared at him for a moment then turned around to continue to analyze the pictures.
Alex carried the pot of coffee to the table and poured everyone a cup. "I have to get one of these jets."
Roman laughed. "Well, you patent a portable nursing kit, and you may find yourself owning one, too."
"You wouldn't, by chance, have a copy of The Times or perhaps The Boston Globe hidden somewhere back there, would you?" Hugh asked. "I prefer to drink my coffee while perusing the paper."
"I have been dying for a big breakfast," Roman said. "All this traveling has made me hungry."
Alex reached into her bag and pulled out a protein bar and tossed it across the table.
"This isn't exactly what I had in mind. I was thinking more along the lines of eggs, bacon, black pudding, beans, toast, you know, a proper English breakfast."
"I promise to feed you one as soon as I can," Alex said. "It's like traveling with a toddler."
"I hope he's toilet trained," Hugh piped in.
"You wish," Roman said with a laugh, then took a bite of the bar.
"Back to business," Alex said sternly as she laid the postcard on the table in front of them. "Virginia. A starting point, but where do we go?"
"Well, you work in Virginia," Hugh said.
"And so does Spencer," Roman added.
"You live in Virginia," Hugh said.
"And so does Spencer," Roman smirked.
Alex looked directly into Roman's eyes. "You know I haven't used my knife in a few days, and it's making me a little anxious."
Roman held out his hands in front of him. "Okay, okay. I surrender."
"I say we start at your house. You haven't been there in a few days, and you never know what you may find," Hugh said.
"Or who," Roman added.
