Chapter 11: The Amazing, Incredible David Rossi
"By the time we met, the times had already changed." - Arcade Fire
It never ceased to amaze Reid how bright Vegas always was. How the sun never seemed to set while in the heart of the city. The light always buzzed and flew around everyone. Changing colors of skin, clothing and moods of everyone they pass by. As they walked through the Flamingo he noticed Derek's change from grey to purple to green to blue. They walked through the halls of the casino, and Derek felt apprehensive about what was about to happen.
David Rossi, famed author, ex-BAU agent, still a celebrity and still banking on that. How could Reid's death at age seven have also effected the older agent's choice not to return. There was still an obvious vacancy. Actually, there were two vacancies.
No Reid, and no Rossi, nor Gideon, as well as Elle; if Randall Gardner never met his mother to tell him about his "adventures," Elle shouldn't have been shot. Jamaica would have been a successful vacation for both she and Morgan.
That thought made Reid stop. Derek felt the change.
"Don't tell me you have cold feet now, you're supposed to walk me through this, genius."
"Elle wouldn't have gotten shot, she wouldn't have left. Where is she."
"Elle? Reid, what are you-"
"Randall Gardner, my mother would have never told him about us..."
Derek could see the guilt fill up in Reid's eyes. He motioned his hand to grab his shoulder. He only grabbed air.
"A side effect from being dead... nothing tangible." Reid muttered.
"Kid, you and I have to take this one problem at a time. We can't focus on what happened since you haven't existed. We need to first find out WHY you don't anymore, and from there we can think of everything else you've learned in that big head of yours."
"Right, focus on why I'm now dead."
They stopped in front of the doors to the room where David Rossi was present. Outside cheers filled the empty hall. Derek presented his $85.00 ticket to see the infamous David Rossi. What he found was not exactly what he was expected.
Strobe lights crossed colors as fog filled the stage. Bass thumped through the floor and a familiar voice rang through the stage.
"Seven best sellers, countless lives saved, endless monsters challenged, get inside of a criminal mind as I, David Rossi take you on a journey through the years of my best selling book: DEVIANCE" Cue thunder, dancing along to the lights as through the fog and through the floor appear David Rossi. A sequence blazer over dark jeans and a dress shirt. The crowd cheered. Was Rossi a vegas showman now?
The words could not even begin to register with the two agents as the Vegas, well, "Vegas" of the show took over.
"This is like a Pink Floyd light show... about serial killers."
"Is it me, or is Rossi starting to sing what he's talking about?"
"I... Reid, can we really-" Morgan immediately stopped his conversation as a child stared at the two men.
"He's dead?" The child spoke.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." The booming thunder that cued the climax clouded the vulgar phrase Reid yelled to Morgan. He in turned just laughed.
An hour later, the show ended.
"It was Criminal Minds meets Broadway." Morgan spoke, still trying to comprehend the show. He really almost lost it as the giant photo of Charles Manson filled the room followed by the serial killer photo montage that worked as Rossi's epilogue. His struggles, failed marriages, and that ONE CASE he couldn't solve.
That moment Morgan knew he had an advantage. Reid was right, they could use this cold case to have him help them in return.
They approached the back area as security stopped them. Morgan simply showed his badge and was allowed back to "DEVIANCE: The musical's" dressing room.
It was a large room, filled with suites, jeans, and chocolates and other congratulatory flowers.
"I thought only girls were given flowers for a job well... done." Morgan mused.
"You would really be surprised." He turned from his chair as he took of the obnoxious blazer.
"You don't come off as the sequence type of guy, Rossi."
"I'm sorry do I know you?" He turned back. "I charge for autographs you know."
Morgan handed him his credentials. He stared at the FBI letters for a while, feeling them with his thumb. He looked back at the younger agent and then back at Morgan's badge.
"What's this about?" Rossi didn't even face him, but he could feel a smirk on his face.
"That cold case, twenty years ago. The parents were killed using an axe, left behind three children."
"Yes." Still no eye contact.
"I reviewed it, spoke to the children and have a theory, but I know it was a personal case for you and thought you would want to help."
Rossi looked up at him finally. He could see the distrust Rossi currently had for him.
"I haven't worked a case in over ten years, Agent Morgan. I'm sure you can handle this without me."
Morgan looked back to Reid who just stared there. He could tell he was getting frustrated.
"Big help he is." Reid spat.
"Big help... why would you need my help." Rossi stared right at Reid.
Morgan stared in disbelief.
"Is he, Morgan did he-"
"Just respond to a dead person. Yes. Yes, I did." Rossi spoke not flinching.
"Rossi, you can see me?"
"And hear you."
"What's the deal with your dead friend, Agent Morgan." Derek Morgan just stared. Is this really happening. After the past two days of no one seeing him and then what Reid had said "Only the crazies and children can see me."
Was it possible... is Rossi somewhat insane?
"Did you have a mental break, Rossi?"
"Agent Morgan, you see enough of the horrible things we see, soon enough your head breaks in two. So I left the BAU, became a famous author... and got in touch with my spiritual side."
"Well, how about one more case."
"I can't do that... Reid, was it?" He mused over the dead agent's name. He stared at the younger agent who moved his hair behind his ear.
"Right, my names Reid. In fact, in another universe we three actually work together at the BAU, you came out of retirement. Currently, in this life, I'm dead, and will die in my universe as well, if I don't find out who killed me."
"Supernatural... that's a new spin on the old game."
"Well?" Morgan sat on edge.
"One more case."