These Little Things || Spencer Reid

61

'I wouldn't expect any less.'

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Laylah made sure to listen in to the conversation going on in the next bay of seats, sitting by herself as she tried to figure out why. Tried to find anything that could help them. 

'This has got to be Scratch. He was laying low. Now we know why,' Tara stated on the other side of the phone.

'Crossing the border as a fugitive is a huge risk,' Luke suggested behind her. 

'The reward is greater. He's been punishing the team,' Emily added; 'Now his target is Reid.' 

'Peter Lewis dropped off the map after attacking Tara's family. Maybe he's been hiding in Mexico this whole time,' Stephen's voice sounded next as he remained in Quantico.

'We also have to consider this isn't related to him,' Emily suggested. 

'Who else would it be?' Rossi asked. 

'Drug cartels. Could have threatened Reid and used him as a mule,' Luke answered. 

'Agreed. This could simply be a case of bad luck. Reid was in the wrong place at the wrong time.'

'Spence's mum is ok,' JJ's voice sounded; 'The home nurse he hired said all is stable.' 

'Oh, thank the stars,' Penelope gasped. 

'How long did he tell the nurse he'd be gone?' Luke queried. 

'Uh, three days,' JJ stated. 

'That sounds reasonable. After the Palm Springs case, Reid said he had to get back to Houston to talk to his mum's doctor,' Emily nodded.

'Well, Houston is only a five hour drive from the border,' Tara informed them.

'Usually I can read him. I can't believe I didn't pick up on any of this,' JJ gushed. 

'He didn't want you to, and there's no way you would have guessed he'd end up in Mexico,' Stephen reminded her. 

'The question is, why did he go down there?' Tara shook her head in confusion. 

'And why does he have narcotics?' Rossi added. 

'Yeah, exactly. That- that... He wouldn't,' Penelope stated firmly; 'He wouldn't do that. You guys, I- He- I- I'm not gonna share any secrets I'm not supposed to, but those drugs were planted on him.' 

'Absolutely. But there's something bigger in play,' Stephen nodded; 'That's why he crossed the border and kept it a secret. There's something he didn't want to share with any of you.' 

'Ok, so what would make him risk everything?' Emily questioned. 

'His mum,' JJ answered quickly. 

'Yeah, but she's here and she's safe,' Penelope reminded them.

'Laylah, can you think of anything?' Stephen pressed. 

The girl didn't reply, turning her head to the side slightly when she heard a beep. 

'Oh, wait. Cruz just sent me the arresting report. Hold, please. Translating now,' Penelope gushed; 'Ok... It says here that Reid was involved in a high-speed chase.' 

'What? He hardly ever drives,' Emily exclaimed, making Laylah stand. 

'None of this sounds like him. It says he was wearing jeans, he was really confused. And... According to the arresting officer, he was really high on something.' 

'No, no, he wouldn't do that. Not after what happened with Tobias Hankel,' JJ shook her head. 

'Who's that?' Luke asked.