They were on their way back to the station when Reids phone rang. ,Reid!" ,Hey Reid, I know it's going to be strange, but just do what i tell you, I'll explain later! You need to bring JJ back to the hotel, cause she is of the case, don't tell her anything about the case anymore!" ,Erm, ... Okay!" Reid was confused. ,I want you to give her to me, so I can talk to her!"
JJ was looking out the window when Reid gave her the phone. He mouthed 'Hotch' before focusing back on the street. JJ only heard parts of the conversation,but from what she heard, she coud tell, something was up. ,Whats up, Hotch?" ,JJ, Reids gonna take you back to the hotel. You're of the cas..." ,Wait what?! Why?",JJ asked in total disbelief. ,I can't tell you, just let Reid take you back to the hotel!" With that he ended the phone call. It was true he couldn't tell her, but not because he wasn't allowed to, he didn't know why.
JJ couldn't believe it, why wasn't she allowed to work the case anymore and why couldn't he tell her why.
Reid could tell she was angry and confused- and he could understand why, there was nothing she said or did wrong and yet she was of the case - She just handed him the phone and looked with furrowed eyebrowes out of her window.
When they arrived at the hotel, JJ got out of the car without a word and went to her room. Reid was a little worried, because no matter why she wasn't allowed to work the case anymore, it had to be bad. Nevertheless he drove back to the police station, there he would find out what it is about anyways. At least he thougt so.
Meanwhile the team spoke about the information they got on Thomas. ,So, what do we got Pen?" ,Like I wanted to tell you before, my favourite crimefighters, Thomas was previously convicted. The problem is, all of it is blackened. I allready tried to open it, but with no success. His family consists of a wife and a daughter, the wife, Alexandra Merrick, died with 30 and I couldn't find anything about the daughter except of the birthcertificate. Her name is Shelby Merrick and she was born on the 12th May 1992. I'm gonna send you a picture of the wife." ,Is there anything about how the mother died?" Morgan asked interested. ,No, it is also blackened." ,Alright, thank you babygirl."Dereck said, ended the call and then turned to the others. He was about to say something else, when Reid came in: ,Hey what happened? Why do you took her of the case?" ,I unestly don't know." Hotch answered truthfully. ,What?!" Now Reid was even more confused. Why would Hotch take her of the case,if he had no reason? ,It is better this way!" Rossi said annoyed by all the questions and with that he was out of the door. He just needed some fresh air.
Emily looked after him with simpathy in her eyes. She was literally stuck in a dilemma. On one hand, she understood the feelings he had, but on the other hand, she knew that keeping Jayje away, could actually make it worse. Should I tell them? - No! JJ told her in confidence.
Hotchs voice brought her back to reallity: ,Lets tell the sheriff abotut Merrick and see if somebody knows something helpful!"
After talking with the sheriff and a few other police officers who knew or know him, the team knew a lot more about him and his family. The officers said his wife killed herself after she got the child and that the girl died with eight due to a car crash. Thomas was driving drunken. After that he went into prison for 10 years, but got out after only five because of good behaviour. He is actually really kind to everbody, but he drinks a lot. They just finished when Rossi came back in, now looking a lot more relaxed.