Disclaimer: See chapter 1

Author's Note(s): A huge thank you to bumblebee917, didi2909, smokeylove and anhey for reviewing that first chapter :) And also to everyone who is reading!

I know it's starting off a bit slow with not much happening. I will try and pick up the pace as soon as possible. I hope you like this chapter.

Easier to Lie
Chapter 2

This was supposed to be his weekend with Jack. Haley had agreed to let Hotch look after him for two full days. But naturally, as luck would have it, this was the weekend they had been given a new case, and unless he and his team could wrap it up in the next twenty-four hours it was unlikely he would make it back. The inevitable phone call he would have to make to let Haley know was not one he was looking forward to.

"It's possible the unsub doesn't live in the town," Reid said, effectively rousing Hotch from his dark thoughts, "Look how close it is to Staten Island. If the unsub doesn't want to kill too close to his home then it would only be a forty minute drive."

"I have a friend who lives in Staten Island," Prentiss said in an oddly detached voice, staring off out the window. It was obvious that she wasn't really listening to word Reid was saying. Hotch exchanged a brief look with Morgan. Neither of them were happy that JJ and Prentiss had insisted on coming with them for this case.

"The fact that he used a knife could suggest the unsub is impotent," said Hotch, pulling one of the crime scene photographs towards himself to look at the injuries more closely.

"Or it could be some sort of work tool and the most readily available weapon for him. It depends what type of knife it is," Reid added.

Hotch happened to glance at the laptop on the table just as Garcia accessed it. No doubt to give them some information on the victims. Sometimes Hotch didn't know what he and team would do without Garcia to cheer them with her bright spirit and humorous nature. His job would be a lot harder without her there in the background to subtly boost the morale of his team. He wondered if she realised how important she was to everyone. Probably not.

"Hello, my lovelies," she said, watching them through the web cam.

"Hey, Sweetness," Morgan said with a smile, "What have you got for us?"

Even though he knew the shameless flirting between Garcia and Morgan reflected their close friendship rather than anything romantic, sometimes Hotch suspected there might be something more behind it. The way they sometimes looked at each other and the way Morgan's face would light up at the sound of her voice…occasionally it reminded Hotch of the way he and Haley had been in the first few years of their relationship. He felt a pang of regret but quickly pushed it to one side.

"I ran the victims through my systems and so far it's come up with nothing other than them living in the same area. However, using my wildly persuasive phone techniques I have found that they went to the same church on a Sunday. St Catherine's," she said, looking at each of them in turn before moving her attention back to Morgan.

"I knew you wouldn't let me down, Baby Girl," said Morgan in reply.

Garcia smiled, "I'll let you know if I find anything else."

With that her face disappeared from the screen.

"I wonder who she called," said JJ with a bemused smile. She was sat opposite Reid but this was the first thing she had said for the entire journey. As always Garcia had somehow managed to restore some order in the team without even meaning to.

"She probably sweet talked some angels into giving her a private audience with God himself and then charmed the information out of him," said Morgan with a raised eyebrow.

JJ's smile widened, "It wouldn't surprise me."

No, it wouldn't surprise Hotch either.

"Okay, let's go over the details one more time," said Hotch. Then as JJ's smile faded he mentally cursed himself for spoiling her moment of happiness.

As his team spoke, Hotch pondered what the best course of action would be. Under no circumstances was he going to send JJ and Prentiss off on their own anywhere. Either he or Morgan would stay with them at all times. Or Reid he supposed. Preferably not though, the boy was looking a bit worse for wear at the moment and could do without the extra burden of looking out for his colleagues.

"When we land," began Hotch once silence had fallen, "I want everyone at the crime scene. We can split up and look at both of the murder sites."

Everyone nodded and then moved to move comfortable chairs so they could relax before the madness would begin again.

The first thing Hotch noted as the team stepped off the plane was how the looming dark clouds rolled across the sky, threatening either snow or rain depending on how cold it was when they could finally absorb no more water and burst. The second thing that he filed away in his mind was how small and desolate this landing strip was. For once Reid hadn't bombarded them with statistics on how many people lived in the area they were searching, but by the looks of things it didn't have a very big population.

"Hi," said a dark haired man as they drew level with him, "I'm Sheriff Regal."

He held his hand out and Hotch shook it. Regal seemed to be rather pompous, he carried a self important air about himself that Hotch took an immediate dislike to.

"I'm SSA Hotchner and this is my team SSA Morgan, Prentiss, Jareau and Doctor Reid," Hotch said, inclining his head towards each person as he said their name.

Sheriff Regal nodded his head and turned to lead them to a couple of cars. Something in his demeanour suggested to Hotch that the man didn't really want them there.

"I'll take you to the crime scene." the Sheriff said.

It wasn't a particularly remarkable crime scene. Not much more could be gleaned from it than what the team had already talked about using the crime photographs for reference.

What Hotch was more interested in was how JJ and Prentiss would react. He had to admit he was almost disappointed when neither of them made any outward sign that they were affected. Hotch worried that if they didn't deal with what happened to them properly it could lead to some serious problems. Like it had done with Reid.

"Well?" a voice from behind him said impatiently.

Hotch turned and looked down to find Sheriff Regal stood uncomfortably close. He looked down his nose at the Sheriff, noticing for the first time how short he was.

"Excuse me?" Hotch said, maintaining the air of professionalism he kept at all times.

"What can you tell us mere mortals about our murderer that we don't already know?" said Sheriff Regal disdainfully.

From just a few feet away, Morgan looked up and narrowed his eyes at the Sheriff. Hotch knew exactly what he was thinking. If the man didn't want their help then why on earth had he called.

"After I consult with my team we will give a formal briefing back at the station," Hotch said, keeping eye contact with the sheriff until the other man looked away.

Hotch berated himself for the childish satisfaction he got from winning his little staring competition, but sometimes it was the small victories that made everything else more bearable. His team could do with a victory soon.

Author's Notes: This chapter is a little shorter than I'd have liked but I go home tomorrow and wanted to post beforehand. I have a nine hour flight to look forward tomorrow. I can hardly wait :p.

This story doesn't have nearly as much planning behind it as my last one did…so if you have any thoughts on where you'd like me to take it then please, let me know. Also is there is anyone in particular you would like to hear from in the next chapter?

Thanks for reading.