*Another Death*
(Reid's P.O.V)
"What?" I exclaimed, staring at Hotch with widened eyes. Amelia was equally as shocked.
"W-where?"
Morgan heaved a sigh and glanced at Hotch.
"She was found in a bathroom furniture store. With her throat slit."
Amelia paled, and I instinctively placed my hand gently on her shoulder. She flinched slightly.
"He's changed his MO," Rossi stated, and I nodded.
"That's why we rushed in; he's been mentioned on the news as the 'Flawless Killer'."
Amelia gulped. "He thinks we've branded him, and he doesn't like it. He likes to be in control, and that means with his name too. He's contradicting it; his kills aren't so flawless now," she said, moving to sit beside Prentiss.
"He still dressed them up, though. We really need to identify the shop they were purchased from and check-"
Morgan's phone rang, interrupting Rossi. "What you got for us, baby girl?"
"I have three males in their late twenties, early thirties, who worked in the pharmacist. None have a criminal record, all married, two of them have kids. None seem like our Unsub," she sighed, her fingers tapping rapidly in the background.
"Okay. Thanks, Garcia. Can you pull out employment records for all shops and facilities in the mall. Narrow it down to whomever fits our profile," Hotch ordered.
"Okay-dokey, sir."
The phone cut dead and we all released a plume of air. Amelia looked exhausted, and I realised we all needed some rest. But the others seemed to have different ideas.
Detective Burchet walked in looking grim.
"When will the autopsy be ready?" Hotch asked with arched brows.
"Tomorrow morning," he replied gruffly. He obviously wasn't happy about the latest news. "Do we know who gave the press this information?"
Rossi shook his head. "Might've been one of your men wanting a little publicity. We don't yet know."
Burchet looked a little offended, but quickly hid his opinions. He nodded stiffly and stalked out of the room.
"We should go and talk to the family of... Alice Riley," Prentiss declared, skimming through the hastily composed file.
"I'll go," Amelia offered in a quiet voice.
"I'll accompany you," I said, and Hotch nodded. Morgan and Prentiss exchanged a knowing glance but I ignored them.
Amelia flashed me a smile as we left the precinct.
"You alright?"
She nodded noiselessly.
"You look a bit pale, are you sure?"
"I'm just a bit tired."
I knew she was lying, but I left it alone as we climbed into the SUV. She didn't seem to notice, but she went straight to the passenger seat.
I started the engine in silence and drove to the Riley's house.
*Sorry for the suuuper short chapter. It'll get more interesting.... uh, weird, in the next few parts. duh, duh, duuuuh. I bet you know what's coming ;) haha. I mean, it's not funny, I just... I'm in an odd mood. Whatever.*