CHAPTER IV

REID'S POV

"Garcia, I need you to dig out everything you can about Dimitri Kuznetsov and his family" commanded Hotch as soon as we entered the conference room "While you do that, we are going to check the other four files…"

"That won't be necessary, Hotch" David interrupted, politely "Garcia found something while you were gone"

Penelope, who was sitting in a tense way, just like everybody else, nodded, and started to talk very quickly.

"I found partial files…" she gulped "In the CIA database"

Aaron raised his eyebrows slightly, waiting the girl to continue.

"I just managed to find the files because I started to search information about the khrabros and the P.T. Company in open databases… Anyway. The few words that could actually be read were, basically, "Khrabros", "White Plan" and "Sasha Kuznetsov" Penelope paused for a moment before resuming "I couldn't find anything about this "White Plan", but I was able to find some info on Sasha"

Morgan, who seemed very pleased with the development of events, explained:

"Sasha Kuznetsov was Dimitri's wife. She came from Russia five years ago and started to work at the P.T. Company in a production subsidiary that make electronic chips. Two years ago, however, she and four more men without apparent connection with the khrabros were found dead in the mechanic shop where Dimitri worked."

"Mikhail said that Dimitri's wife died in an accident" Aaron said, with a suspicious tone.

"Sure" agreed Blake, sarcastically "If you consider that three shots hit her in the forehead by accident"

I couldn't contain a little laugh, to which I received several weird looks. I cleared my throat.

"So, Kuznetsov fits the profile perfectly now that we know how his wife died" I said "Three shots to the forehead. That can't be a coincidence"

Everyone agreed, thoughtful.

"What intrigues me" started Rossi "Are the tattoos"

"I would say that this whole case is weird" disagreed Morgan "The tattoos, the M.O., possible Russian organized crime, CIA files… I mean, it sounds like a bad action movie"

"You are right, but we need to forget the blank spots that we still have and focus in what we already know" said Hotch, serious "Garcia, any idea where Kuznetsov may be?"

Penelope denied with her head.

"The last known address is a little town in Nebraska, but we know that he isn't there, especially because his daughter died"

JJ, who had remained silent so far, sighed heavily.

"We are missing something here" somebody give an Oscar to that woman, I thought to myself, when she started to speak "Besides the fact that all the victims have a connection to the P.T. Company, what else does they have in common? I mean, is he picking targets by chance inside a company that has thousands of employees?"

"Well, he started with the low hierarchy" suggested Blake "With subsidiaries employees that didn't had any tattoos. Maybe this is it: the tattoos are the symbol of the khrabros, so perhaps the unsub started with ordinary people on porpoise and intend to evolve to people on the top of the company, people with real connection with the khrabros, people with tattoos already done"

I had to fight a smile. Sometimes I forgot how smart were the people I worked with.

"It's quite possible" agreed Rossi, reluctantly "And if that is the case, Mikhail may be the next in line, after all, he is the CEO"

I bit my lip. I was getting out of options.

"Garcia, call to Stravinsky's office. Inform them that we believe he may be the next victim and instruct maximum caution. We can put disguised officers close to him, just in case Dimitri appears" Hotch ordered.

"That won't work" I said with a sigh, feeling tired "Mikhail will see the cops from miles away and I honestly doubt that he will appreciate their presence"

Aaron stared at me, but before he could say anything, my phone started to ring.

I took the device out of my pocket and, after a quick look at the screen, I rose from the chair and left the room.

"Reid" I said.

On the other side of the line, an automatic voice answered:

"Please confirm your authentication code"

Looking at the both sides, I did what I was asked to – damn procedures.

"Bravo-One-Four-Charlie-Kilo Charlie-Four-Five-Tango-One-Three" (A/N: B14CK C45T13)

"ID confirmed" said the automatic voice "Call from General Colson, Langley. Do you accept, Colonel Gray?"

I rolled my eyes, sitting on a chair a little bit farther from the room where the BAU were.

"Yes" I agreed.

Thirty second and a boring elevator song later, a sharp and masculine voice asked:

"Are you aware that a FBI computer accessed the partial files of the White Plan, Colonel?"

"Yes, General, and I am also aware that the case that the BAU is currently working on can blow my cover" I said, calmly.

On the other side of the line, Colson sighed.

"Do you want me to take the BAU out of the case, Matthew?" he asked, almost sounding worried "Your artistic skills are good, but not even a great liar can work miracles"

I gritted my teeth when I saw Hotch open the door of the conference room and start to walk to where I was. I raised a hand, asking him to wait.

"I'm aware of that" I agreed "And I appreciate the concern, Charlie, but I think this has already gone too far." I paused. Hotch was now standing in front of me, with a serious face "I need to get back to work. Do you need anything else?"

"If they find out, what do you intend to do?" he asked.

I smirked, getting up and staring at Hotch while answering.

"I think we will soon find out. I'm going to hung up. Thanks again"

"Right" agreed the General "Good luck"

I looked at Aaron, putting my phone back on my pocket.

"Sorry about that" I said, without even try to seem regretted "It was important"

Hotch gave a deep sigh.

"Reid, what is going on?" he asked, almost desperate "I am tired of pretending that I haven't notice how you are acting out since this case started. Are you using again?"

I stared at him, without saying anything. I knew that Spencer Reid would apparent insecurity, maybe even shame if he was to stare at the boss like that, but I, Matthew, was tired of playing drama club. It was pass the time to let the mask fall, especially when lives depended on it.

"Reid" he called again, upset "Tell me what is going on"

I sighed.

"I'm not using" I said "I never had been"

That caught Hotch off guard.

"What?" he asked "What do you mean?"

I started to sweat and had to fight off a smile, thinking in how ridiculous the situation was.

"I mean to say that drugs were never my problem" I said with a stable voice. A voice that Reid never used, but that Colonel Gray never forgot "Did you called Mikhail?"

Aaron blinked. I took that for a "no".

"Great, don't call him" I commanded, the voice still calm "I am heading back to the hotel. Wait half an hour with the others and then meet me at my room. Tell the sheriff you are going to revise the profile to try to find something new."

My boss was speechless.

"Spencer… What…?" he started, but I cut him off.

"Half an hour, my hotel room" I repeated "I'll explain everything you need to know and… Hotch?" I paused "I'm sorry"

Before he could answer, I left, while dialing Mikhail's number, to inform him about what was going on.

When I turned off, I was already waiting for a cab.

After nine long years, the time had finally arrived.

Spencer Reid was about to disappear.

A/N:

Heey guys! Long time no see, hum? Sorry about that, but now I am officially on vacation, which means I'll probably be able to update a lot more quickly.

Once again, I want to say thanks to everyone that has favorited and followed the story and, of course, a super special thanks to those who left reviews. I mean, seriously guys, you are the best!

The next chapter is already being written, but I am also working on a new fanfiction called "Scorpion" that is about another love of my life, Mr. Alex Rider. So that means I don't really know when I'm going to update "True Genius", but I promisse I'll try to hurry up.

I hope you have all enjoyed this chapter and that you continue to like the story.

Again, thanks for the support,

Bri.