To Solve

Chapter 10: Unfinished Buisness

"And neither the angels in Heaven above

Nor the demons down under the sea 

Can ever dissever my soul from the soul 

Of the beautiful Annabel Lee–"

Spencer stopped reading as Parker shifted in his arms. His better half had their head resting on his chest and slept peacefully.

The young genius smiled lovingly and placed the book on the living room table.

He glanced at the clock, only now realizing what time it was. He thought about carrying Parker to bed, but decided against it. It was far too comfortable, so he wrapped his arms around them and closed his eyes too.

As soon as Spencer fell asleep, his and Parker's cell phones rang.

~~

Norman Maclean wrote,

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

Parker stepped out of the elevator along with Spencer, Derek, Hotch and Elle.

The young agent didn't really understand why they were called to the office in the middle of the night - but it had to be something very important.

"So they've been here all night?" Derek asked. 

"Apparently."

"Where else would any of us be on a Saturday night? It's not like we have lives or anything," Elle says sarcastically.

"Speak for yourself."

"Guys, we are about to meet Max Ryan, the guy responsible for catching the Boise child killer," Spencer changed the subject.

The team entered the empty open-plan office. It was strange for Parker that there was no one here except them. It's like standing in an almost empty airport.

"Have you ever talked to him before?" Parker asked Hotch, unsuccessfully trying to hide a yawn.

"He's pretty intense, brusque. Not much of a bedside manner."

"Sound like anyone else we know?"

"I heard he was forced into early retirement," said Derek.

The profilers reached their desks. They hung their jackets over the chairs and put down their bags.

"No, he chose to retire."

"He's written a new book on the Keystone Killer case."

"He moved to Philadelphia to be closer to the crime scenes."

"That's retirement?"

"Well, BAU style."

~~

Gideon and Max Ryan were already waiting in the meeting room.

On the screen was the message that the Keystone Killer had left for Max.

Who in his mind has not tried the black water?

Aren't visits from old minds refreshing? Especially when we've occupied so much of each others' mind. We're like two volumes of the same book, Max. Why don't we add a few more chapters? I will lead you to me. If you break the code.

It's far too long. I am alive again.

KK

Underneath the message was a word puzzle in which clues appeared to be hidden.