Make Nice

"What the hell? This is a house?" Luke asked as he pulled up to the large brick structure that could only be described as a mansion behind a small silver SUV. Even in the coming dark, it was easy to see that it was massive and sat on a large tract of land. The closest house was nearly a mile down the road.

"Well, the sheriff did mention that she was part of the founding five families in town," Matt said as Luke pulled the SUV to a stop.

"Back in the day, families tended to be larger, so it would make sense there would be a large family house passed down through generations. Though this one looks like it's been updated," Reid said, peering out the window. "Looks like its more Edwardian than Victorian, which is a bit unusual for this town from what I've seen so far. I saw several Victorians when we drove through town, but no Edwardians."

"Perhaps our hostess can fill us in on some of the history," Matt said with a smile as he opened the door and stepped out. "Though she doesn't seem so willing…"

"What did you think about her and the sheriff?" Luke asked.

"Seems protective of her. I'm guessing they could be family friends," Tara said.

"I wonder if she's got any books about the town history," Reid replied, getting out of the car and missing Luke roll his eyes slightly.

"This is… not what I was expecting," Tara said as she walked up to Daisy as the rest of the team gathered around them.

"I know… it's a bit much… but it was my grandparents' home," the younger woman said with a sigh. "Welcome to White Manor."

She motioned for the group to follow her and started up the path. She unlocked a door and pushed it open, leaving it wide for the others behind her. They immediately looked up as they walked into a large, two-story foyer complete with chandelier. She continued walking until she was standing in the middle of a hallway and turned to face them.

"So, downstairs layout. To my left in the foyer is the dining room - you're welcome to use it for whatever and to my right is the library, which is where I work. There are stairs that go up at both ends of this hall," she said. "Down the hallway to my right is the guest suite and another guest room." She then turned and walked into the den, the group following. "This is the den. Again, use at your convenience. Over here is the kitchen and conservatory, along with breakfast nook. There's also a laundry room down there."

She walked through the group back to the hallway, though half of them were too busy staring up at the ceiling that went up to the second floor.

"There are five more guest rooms upstairs, but the room just to the right of the top of the stairs is mine. You guys can decide how you want to divy up the rooms. Help yourself to whatever is in the kitchen. I will be in the library if you need me," she said, before walking back into the foyer and disappearing into a room and shutting the door behind her. After a bit, music could be heard coming through the door.

"I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this is not it," JJ said, still looking up at the ceiling.

"This place is nicer than a good amount of hotels I've stayed in," Reid said. "Though I'd really like to see the library.

"First things first, Spence. Think we should choose our rooms," JJ said, smiling slightly. She looked over at Emily. "Care to check out the guest suite?"

"Don't mind if I do," Emily said, chuckling. The two women when into the hallway and took a sharp right down the hall. Reid looked around at the group before turning and making his way towards the stairs, the rest starting to follow him.

"Holy cow," they heard someone exclaim. "Is that a jacuzzi?"

"Suddenly wishing I had taken that room," Tara said as they trudged up the stairs.

"I call dibs on this one," Reid said, walking into the first guest room. The rest made their way down to the various rooms, gradually settling in one or the other. After Reid sat his bag down, he went back downstairs and wandered into the guest suite, finding Emily and JJ settled on a loveseat.

"How many people do you know who have guest suites in their houses?" JJ asked, smiling up at Reid.

"No one. This place is even bigger than Rossi's," he said, slowly walking around the room. "Most of it seems a bit outdated, but it's still nice. I wonder what the Whites did for business."

"Whatever it is, I am grateful that we are staying here and not some flea-ridden motel. I saw it when we passed through town and it definitely looked like it had seen better days," Emily said.

"It's not that pretty on the outside, but the Parks take good care of it," a voice said from the doorway. They all looked to see Daisy walk in. "Their daughter was in my year too. She lives in Tulsa with her husband and two kids." JJ and Emily sat up on the loveseat, both looking a bit ashamed. "Just wanted to see if you guys were hungry. Mrs. Battle left a bunch of sandwich stuff and cold cuts in the kitchen."

"Thanks," JJ said, smiling at her as she stood. "We were just talking about how nice your home is." Daisy nodded as she looked around the room.

"The original home was built in 1890 when the Whites first settled. They tore it down after they built this one in 1905. That's where the horse barn is now," she said. "The Whites varied their businesses. I'm not sure what all they did, but my gramps told me stories about the Whites owning the first grocer in town and the first newspaper. It's the only way they survived through the Great Depression."

"Is that what drove you towards journalism?" Reid asked. Daisy looked over at him, an eyebrow raised.

"No. They had left the newspaper business before I was born. My gramps and dad ran a multinational household items corporation that my great-grandfather started just after the war. Though now it's run by a board. I'm on it, I guess, but I don't know anything about business so I let them make all the decisions and check in when necessary to make sure they aren't running my family company into the ground. They have an office in the City and another in New York," she said.

"Going into journalism was all me, though my mother certainly encouraged it. She got me a summer job at the local paper," she continued. "But yea, there's food if you want it."

She then walked out of the room, leaving the three standing there.

"I don't know about you, but I'm hungry," Reid said brightly as he turned and left as well.

"So, what do you think of her?" JJ asked. Emily shrugged.

"Looking over her work, Walker is right. She's been saving their asses," Emily said. "We should try to make nice, if we can. We're going to need her connections with the town."

"Also, doesn't she seem a bit… lonely?" JJ asked, dropping her voice in case Daisy was nearby. "I mean, she's put on a strong face, but I can't keep forgetting that these were her school friends. She's got to be reeling from that - seasoned investigative reporter or not." Emily nodded.

"I can't help but feel for her," she admitted. "And I'm with Walker. There's a good chance the unsub could target her next. She's one of a handful of women left in town from the class of 2003. Whether she wants to admit it, she could be in danger."

"Well then, suppose we should go see about dinner," JJ said.

"Just how many people did Mrs. Battle think were staying here?" Rossi asked as the team gathered in the kitchen, taking in the spread with wide eyes.

"You know church ladies," Daisy said wryly before taking a drink from a bottle of beer. "I'm surprised she didn't bring more, but this is likely all she could pull together in the time she had."

"And here I thought the town wasn't happy we were here," Mark said as he started filling a plate.

"Most of them aren't, but manners will always win out," Daisy replied. "They may not answer your questions, but they'll die before they're accused of not showing hospitality. Though Mrs. Battle is of the mind that you guys are a godsend. She was in a ladies church group with Grams."

"Just what was it like growing up in a small town?" Reid asked. "I've always been curious. I grew up in Las Vegas." Daisy glanced at him from where she leaned against a counter, wondering if he was trying to profile her.

"Wasn't all bad," she said. "A bit boring. Once I got my car, I spent every chance I could in Oklahoma City or Tulsa with my friends."

"Did your parents live in town too? You mentioned earlier that you moved in here with your grandmother in high school," Reid pushed. The rest of the team glanced around the kitchen at each other, not sure if Reid being his usual self or intentionally trying to get her to open up.

"We had a ranch house out in the country on some family land," she said. "We sold it after they died. Didn't see any reason to keep it when it was just me and Grams. Besides I spent a lot of time here anyway." She then pushed off the counter. "If you guys need anything, I'll be in the library." She then walked out of the room.

"Not the particularly social type," Luke commented once she was out of earshot.

"We did take over her house," Reid commented. "But from what I've gathered from her work, she tends to work alone."

"You've read her stuff?" Luke asked.

"Are you surprised?" JJ replied with a smile.

"I've read her books too. She's good," Rossi commented. "I didn't know it was her, though. Assumed she was older."

"If she graduated high school in 2003, that would put her around 33 or 34," Reid said. "So, she's definitely older than she appears."

"Something you guys have in common," Emily said, glancing at him. Reid just shrugged.

"Either way, she's talented. To be that age and this successful as a true crime writer and investigative reporter," Rossi said. "She does have a knack for it. Must have started early. Maybe in college."

"Well, she certainly doesn't seem eager to divulge her personal history," JJ said.

"She seems close with Walker. Maybe there's more he can tell us," Tara commented.

"Nah, that seems one-sided," Reid interjected. "I noticed she doesn't appear that comfortable around him. But could just be her overall discomfort from being back in her hometown after so long away."

"Whatever it is, she is our host for the time being. And I'm inclined to continue letting her work with us based off what she gave us today," Emily said. "Let's do our best not to put her out any more than we need to."

"Got it."

Spencer stood outside the closed door to the library, listening to music coming through the door. After the team had eaten and then cleaned up the kitchen, they gradually all wandered to bed, but for some reason he felt the need to check on Daisy. He also wanted a look in the library in the hopes there were some books there about the town history.

He knocked at the door hesitantly. After a few moments with nothing, he knocked a bit louder and heard the music turn down slightly. The door opened, and Daisy stood there, her face a calm mask of neutrality though there was a hint of annoyance in her eyes.

"What can I do for you, Dr. Reid?" she asked.

"It's just Spencer, if you want. Since we're going to be working together," he said. Daisy continued to stare up at him. "I was just wondering if you would mind if I browsed through your book collection? It helps me get to sleep sometimes. Reading." Daisy glanced around the room and then stepped back, letting him in.

The large room was all wood and in the shape of a heptagon, with most of the panels full of shelves of books of various ages. There was another door on the other side and windows along the front that overlooked the lawn from the desk. It looked as though here was where Daisy spent most of her time, the large oak desk covered in papers as well as the floor around it. She had lost the cardigan from earlier and her shoes were under the desk. The music was coming from the laptop, though a couple wireless speakers sat on the desk next to some photos.

However, it was the large standing board next to the desk that caught Spencer's attention as he walked straight towards it. In contrast to the rest of the library, the board was meticulously put together with documents and photos pinned up in straight rows. Post-its in various colors were neatly placed around the photos with clear, neat writing.

She had been hard at work.

"Does the sheriff know you have crime scene photos and reports here?" Spencer asked, still studying the board.

"Thought you came for a book?" Daisy asked, irritation slipping into her voice. Spencer looked over at her. "He lets me bring stuff home. I explained that I do my best thinking on my own. And up until you guys showed up, I'm the only one here. Save Mrs. Battle who comes to clean once a week. But I keep the library locked up when she's here and I'm not."

Spencer looked back at the board, studying it closely as he reached up and flipped a page up. It appeared to be a typed-up transcript of the interview with the fourth victim's husband.

"I'm impressed with how organized this is," he commented. Daisy leaned against a bookshelf, her eyebrows raised as she crossed her arms in front of her.

"I am a journalist," she commented. "Have to have a system if I want to keep the facts straight."

"Is it the story that has you so interested? Or the fact that it's your schoolmates?" Reid asked casually. Daisy bristled slightly.

"Are you trying to analyze me?" she shot back. "This isn't my first murder case."

"I know," Reid said.

"Let me make it easier for you, then. Graduated at the top of my class in high school and went to NYU where I also graduated with honors from their journalism institute. Completed an internship with the Times while in school and got offered a spot on their crime desk at graduation, that I took. Made it onto their investigative team a few years later," she said. "Published my first book at 29. Second at 32. Got the Pulitzer for that one."

Reid turned to face her, carefully watching her.

"I'm focused, determined and I always finish what that I start," she continued. "I'm stubborn, bullheaded and willing to put in the work necessary, which is what's gotten me to where I am today. Not my family's name or my family's money."

"How long have you been back in Whitehall?" Reid asked suddenly, throwing her off. Daisy frowned.

"A bit over a month," she said.

"Did you come back to visit often?" he asked.

"Came back a couple times a year before Grams died, but not much since then. She passed when I was 25," she said. "What does this have to do with anything?"

"You're trying to prove something," Reid said. "To your professors and classmates in New York. And to the town. That's what drives you. But there's another trait that you missed. Empathy. You want the people you work with to see a strong exterior, but I can see it in your interview transcripts and in the way you wrote your books - you care about the victims. Everything is about them."

There was silence as Daisy stared at him, her face even. She then took a deep breath and pushed off the bookshelf.

"What books are you interested in?" she asked, turning to look around the shelves. "There's a good variety. My grandfather was an avid reader, as was my mother. A trait they passed on to me. I brought over all her things before I sold the house. There's art, literature, history. Just about anything you could want."

"Is there anything on the history of the town?" Reid asked, keeping his distance from her. He had hit a nerve and he didn't want her to completely shut him out. Not if the team was going to keep working with her. Daisy glanced at him over her shoulder before looking back to the books. She went up on her toes and pulled a small book from the shelf.

"Most of the town history would be at the historical society. But there's one book. Written by a friend of my grams," she said, holding it out to him as she continued browsing the shelves. Reid stepped over and took it. "Didn't really fly off the shelves, but it's the only one we've got. If you want Oklahoma history, there are several books here. My grandfather was big on knowing where you came from and being proud of you roots. He's got a bunch of stuff on British history as well – that's where the Whites immigrated from before they settled in Oklahoma."

"You don't share that mentality?" he asked.

"I believe in knowing your history," she replied. "Proud of my family's accomplishments, sure. But let's just say I was eager to see what the world was like outside of this town."

"Figured that was a given with most people who grew up in a small town," Reid commented. Daisy glanced at him but returned to browsing the shelves and pulling off books.

"Not around here," she said wryly. "Seems most people were content to settle nearby." She then turned and put the books in Reid's arm. "Not sure if you'll have time to read these all, but it's a good start."

"Oh, I should have most of these finished by tomorrow," Reid said. Daisy just stared at him. "I can read 20,000 words a minute." She blinked in shock.

"Figured you were smart, but wasn't sure how smart," she commented.

"I have an IQ of 187 and three Phds," he added. "Plus, an eidetic memory."

"What I would give for that," Daisy said, offering a slight smile. "Anything else?"

"This should be good for now. I'll let you know if I need anything," he said, turning towards the open door. He then stopped and turned to face her. "Oh, wait. One more thing. What's the wifi situation like here? I have a feeling we may be working here a bit and we'll need to stay in contact with our analyst back in Quantico."

"I updated all the tech as soon as I got here. Put in high-speed internet and wifi. I'll get everyone the password in the morning before we go to the station. You're free to use the dining room if you need a home-based war room," she said. Reid smiled and nodded.

"Thanks, Daisy," he said. "See you in the morning."

Spygoose – Thanks! I have it basically done, save for half a chapter. ^_^

Thanks everyone for reading and following!