Chapter 2: Reid's POV

The jet was quickly growing into a second home for Reid. The team was bombarded with cases, usually getting only a day between them. It was unsub to unsub, victim to victim. This one was far from the worst they had dealt with, far from the worst he had seen, but it was still a hard one. This case was from where he grew up, it involved the high school he attended and the teachers he had known. The victims were kids, and if he didn't do his job right, another would die.

"Reid, you okay?" Morgan asked, looking at him with worried eyes. Morgan was the only one on the team who knew how bad his high school experience was.

"Not really, but we've gotten through worse" he replied, carefully keeping his eyes on his book. Morgan seemed apprehensive, but before he could press the subject a folder was placed on the table in front of Reid by JJ. It contained all the information they had on a series of murders in Vegas.

"All of the girls went to the same school and were active in the music program, so maybe the band director can help us identify any more similarities between them" Reid suggested after perusing the file, looking at Hotch.

"Good idea. Reid, take Prentiss to talk to the director and students that knew the girls. JJ and Rossi, please go coordinate with the police, Morgan and I can inspect the dumpsite" he said authoritatively. With the assignments handed out, the team members began to look more into the case files. Prentiss slipped into the seat next to Reid, silently comforting him. After they were both hostages for a religious cult the other week, they had reached a silent level of companionship. Prentiss had taken beatings for Reid, something he would never forget. Silently, he reached out for her hand under the table and she accepted, squeezing it as they sat in silence reading this week's horror.

The plane landed 45 minutes later, and they were off to Reid's last hell to prevent someone else from suffering. The layout of the school hadn't changed since he had been there, so after the pair checked into the main office, Reid led Prentiss to the band room. Once they arrived, they found a girl playing the piano. Before Reid could stop himself, he interrupted.

"The Crave, by Jelly Roll Morton?" He asked, stepping towards the girl sitting at the keyboard. She looked up in surprise, but before he could continue, correct his course, she did. "He boasted that he created Jazz, and while that wasn't quite true he was one of the original composers," she got up, "I'm Phoebe McLean. Are y'all here about the girls?" she asked.

"We are. I'm Agent Prentiss and this is Dr. Reid, we're here with the FBI. Are you the band director here?" his partner asked. Thank god, because he was locked in his head right now. The girl looked like he used to, withdrawn, quiet. She held her arms over her stomach, cradling herself even when she appeared confident.

"No, I'm just a student here. Mr. Blake lets me practice here during my off hours as long as I leave the place nicer than I left it, while he does paperwork. He's in the office right next door, if you want to talk to him." she said, gesturing to a door he previously thought was a storage closet.

"Would you mind answering a few questions, ma'am?" he said, while Prentiss went over to talk to the director. Phoebe accepted and then moved to sit down on the risers next to the piano.

"Did you know any of the girls?" he asked, watching her face for any change in expression.

She looked sadder, now, before she responded. "I knew all of them, but Katie and I were the closest," she hesitated, looking down, "She was my first friend when I moved here, really my only one. Gwen and I weren't close, but we were lab partners in chemistry, and I tutored Astra in math."

"So you were connected with all of them?" he asked, probing further. She looked taken aback, before nodding. This girl was definitely connected to the case, but whether she was a future target or the unsub was unclear.

"What were you doing on October 26th?" he asked, hoping that this girl was innocent.

"I was studying at the cafe by my house. It's the only one in town where I can get chicory coffee, plus it's by where I work."

He was silent for a minute as he absorbed what the girl said. Her use of "y'all" combined with the fact that she moved here and like chicory coffee meant that she probably grew up in the south, specifically South Louisiana where chicory coffee was most popular. But before he could ask another question, she spoke again.

"Are you the old genius?" she asked, and by the look on her face, she had wanted to ask for a while. "My math teacher- Dr. Micheals- said that I reminded him of another student he taught, that graduated really early. I asked around and found out he ended up working for the FBI, so is it you?"

"Yes, that's me" he laughed. He watched as the girl's face went from hesitant to happy, and he knew she was telling the truth.

"If you ever need anything, or remember anything that might connect the girls or their experiences, don't hesitate to call me," he said, handing the girl his business card. She looked surprised but happy and thanked him. Before he could respond, however, Prentiss walked out of the office of the band director.

"We need to meet with the rest of the team, Morgan and Hotch found something," she said curtly, walking with a purpose.

"It was nice to meet you, Dr. Reid, Agent Prentiss," said Phoebe, with an awkward half-wave. Then Reid exited with Prentiss.

"Apparently, all of the girls had planned the night they were kidnapped to go to a diner on the outskirts of town near where their bodies were found," Prentiss said.

"So if we talk to the staff at the diner, we can trace the girl's last steps?" he asked, though it was more like a statement.

"Exactly" she replied, "and Hotch and Morgan found something weird on the last body," she said, suddenly pensive.

"What was it?" he asked while opening the door of the black SUV for his partner to get in. And as soon as he got in the driver's seat, she told him.

"They found a message carved into her stomach."