Disclaimer – I actually own Criminal Minds but I don't like to brag.
The first stage of the plan had gone perfectly. His messenger, who now lay dead at his feet, had delivered the first sign. Reid would figure out this clue easily. Not in time to save anyone however. But that didn't matter. Any lives lost in this game were mealy collateral damage. Needless pawns. Reid was the target. And the best part was, he new Reid. And he knew he couldn't win.
"About time Reid. What happen you get lost?" Morgan joked as the youngest team member joined them.
"Spence you alright. You look like you've seen a ghost?" JJ asked as Reid seemed to enter without noticing anyone.
Hotch looked up from his work and could instantly tell something was wrong with his subordinate. Reid did indeed look like he'd seen a ghost. He appeared in shock, and was extremely pale.
"I'm fine. Just feeling a little nauseous", Reid said in a convincing voice, and sat down at the table.
"You sure?" Hotch asked. Reid rarely admitted that he was in pain, and the older profiler thought it was strange how he had so readily admitted it to them now.
"I'm fine guys really?"
"Would you like some water Spence?" JJ asked in a mothering tone.
"Ye. But I'll get it", Reid said and quickly left as the team gave each other wondering looks.
What does this mean? What to do? The quote is from Tell Tale Heart. But what does that mean? Okay, Edgar Allen Poe. Writer. Insane man murders landlord. Floorboards .Eyes. Heart. Fools police. Garcia.
Reid knocked reluctantly on Garcia's door, and entered. He didn't want to involve the team but he had no choice. He needed Garcia's skills.
"What'd up junior genius?" Garcia said in her bubbly tone, turning from her screens.
"Garcia could you run a check on any bodies found under floorboards?". Garcia gave him a strange look then began typing.
"How far back?"
"Today. Or last night".
"Okay. AAA none."
Reid's heart deflated. What else could the quote mean. "Anywhere in the entire country?".
"Sorry hun no. Why?" Garcia asked.
Reid lied quickly, "No reason really. Could you keep a eye out and let me now?"
Garcia nodded, "When I know you'll now".
"Think we could keep this between me and you?" Reid said extremely timidly...
..."Wonder what's going on with Reid?" Morgan said.
"Let's get back to work. We need a profile. I just got a phone call from the lead detective, I said we'd been there in 10". Hotch said, his mind dwelling a little on their resident genius.
The BAU team entered the police station, and were welcomed by a extremely friendly middle aged detective.
"Hello guys and girls, I'm Detective David Hughes. Welcome", the man said in a optimistic voice shacking all their hands.
JJ smiled and introduced the team, "Hello Detective Hughes, I'm Jenifer Jareau we spoke on the phone. this is SSA Aaron Hotchner, SSA Derek Morgan, SSA Emily Prentiss, SSA David Rossi and Dr. Spencer Reid".
"Welcome. Welcome. We have a room for you guys, with boards, and files, and coffee", Hughes said leading them to the board room. They all pilled in to a rather small room with two large boards of picture's.
"Ooo where are those files? Sara must have them. Aaa Spencer could you get them please? There in the office next door!".
Reid gave the team a strange look as they smirked at him. Reid left the board room and looked through the glass door of the office. His mind was still wrapped up in what had happened earlier. Maybe it was some short of hoax. A prank...
...Detective Horne paced her office. The BAU were legends in her field. But as respected and brilliant as they were no detective liked to admit they couldn't do it. The tall, brunette kicked her desk in anger and knocked over a stack of files. Swearing under her breath she disappeared under the table. Suddenly the door opened and detective Horne jumped up, smacking her head on the desk.
"Shit that hurt!"
"O my god are you alright?", Reid said rushing over to help the detective.
"Ye I'm fine. Thank you", she said, taking Reid's hand, "Just scared me is all. You must be one of the BAU Boys?"
"Dr. Spencer Reid", Reid said extending his hand.
"Detective Sara Horne. Guess you're looking for these", Sara said picking up the pile of files.
Reid followed Horne in to the conference room as she make her introductions.
"Okay guys. After we found out that Edna Hemmingway had sex before she died, I did some snooping. Turns out Edna was far from faithful. According to her receptionist, Dr. Hemmingway had quite the reputation. She gave me a bunch of names, but there may be more".
"Well once we have the profile. We'll know who to look for", Hotch said. "Morgan get Garcia to run the names of the people the victim had affairs with. Dave, you and Prentiss see if you can find any more information at the hospital"...
..." Hey baby girl. I'm sending you some names", Derrick said holding phone between his head and shoulder as he typed.
"Anything for you my chocolate prince", Garcia said, and she began to search. "Hey Morgan have you noticed anything strange about Reid today?"
"Why sweet thing?"
"No reason. Call you when I have something". And Garcia hung up. Reid asked her not to say anything and she wasn't going too.
... Reid stood in the bathroom washing his hands when his phone began to ring. He answered quickly, after checking that it was Garcia.
"Hey Junior G-man. Thought you'd like to know, 2 hours ago a man was found under some floorboards".
"Where?", Reid said instantly.
"Baltimore!". Reid's mind raced. Where Poe died!
"There's something else strange. There was writing carved into the man's chest. Yuck. Poor man." Garcia said solemnly.
"What did it say Garcia?". The next clue.
"It said 'Nor law, nor duty bade me fight, Nor public men, nor cheering crowds, A lonely Impulse of delight".
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