My First Love [Spencer Reid Fanfic - 1]

Chapter 15 - Unfinished Business

"It is with those we live with and love and should know who elude us." - Normal McLean

J. Miller Bookstore was packed today. Max Ryan, a former BAU profiler, was giving a lecture there due to his book release and I had requested a couple of days off to know the man who mentored my mentor. How cool was that?

Max Ryan was charismatic and charming and he could really work a crowd. His book on the Keystone Killer was absolutely perfect. I read it on the plane to Philadelphia. Too bad Spencer couldn't come with me. He would've liked it.

After the lecture, I nervously walked to Max Ryan. He was one of my heroes. "It was a great lecture, sir." My mouth was dry and my heartbeat was racing.

He smiled at me and opened the copy I handed to him. "Who should I sign this for?"

"Cassie Porter." I replied and he signed my book. "I work at the BAU with Jason Gideon." His blue eyes widened at the mention of Gideon. "He's my mentor and I know you used to be his. It's such an honor to meet you."

Ryan extended his hand and I shook my head. "You seem too young to be a profiler."

I grabbed my purell and rubbed my hands. "I'm nearly 23 years old, sir, but I'm very good at my job."

"If Jason is your mentor it must mean you're worth his time." Ryan commented. "Have you read my book yet?"

"Yes, on the way here." He gave me a look that wondered if I was telling the truth. I was able to read more than one book a day. Fast reader. "Your approach on the Keystone Killer was exquisite. Although I believe he is a sociopath who killed because he liked it. He craved control."

"What do you think happened to him?" Ryan asked me with an amused expression.

I glanced at the man and then smirked. "He probably died, went to jail or stopped killing because something happened in his personal life that would make killing more difficult for him."

"And you still believe he had no compulsion to kill?" Ryan questioned me.

"His compulsion was his own will." I rebutted quickly.

Someone handed Max Ryan a note and he furrowed his eyebrows, his eyes darkened in anger. "Can you call Jason?" I nodded and he handed me the paper. "The Keystone Killer is back."

"Who in his mind has not probed the black water?" I started reading. "Aren't visits from old friends refreshing? Especially when we've occupied so much of each others' mind. We're two volumes of the same book, Max. Why don't we add more chapters? I will lead you to me. If you break the code. It is far too long. I am alive again."

"At least we know he's not dead." Ryan noted before leaving the bookstore. So much for escaping work.

_______________________________________________________________________

Gideon called me saying the team was going to Philadelphia to investigate the case. He didn't even question my involvement which hurt my feelings. The man is my mentor, he should question everything I do.

As soon as I approached the team, their eyes were all on me. "How is he like?" Elle immediately asked me.

"A little arrogant but that comes with the job." I answered with an amused expression. "It won't be easy to work with him."

"Carla Bromwell was found murdered in her home." JJ stated. "He tied her up and suffocated her with a plastic bag."

Spencer knitted his eyebrows while looking at the pictures. "He changed his M.O."