Crimes Against The Heart (Spencer Reid X OC)

The Body

The cold air hits their face just as the pollution does their lungs.

"Please, lead the way," says Spencer, hands going into his coat pockets. "He's, um lovely."

"He's just overprotective, especially more since there's a crazy person killing women." Despite the cold not seeming to bother her, her nose turned a red hue

"Right. Yes," he says into the coat. The alleys around are dark and imposing, and their steps on the cobblestones echo too much.

"I think you're safe in that aspect, though," he ventures. "The ladies targeted are all... of a specific profession."

"Are you insinuating that Meghan was a whore?" She said plainly, she wasn't offended. She looked at him though, with concerned eyes

"From what we can tell from our investigations, yes." He looks back at her; expression compassionate.

"Meghan had her ways of income. Some weren't to be talked about and she liked that I didn't use it against her." She said now looking ahead, "She was a good woman. She is a good woman."

He swallows, watching his shoes fall in sync with hers. He sounds warm.

"I wouldn't dare doubt it."

They finally arrived at her home. They turned to each other, in silence. Marceline then speaks up and says "Would you like to come inside? You seem cold." She motioned towards the house

And despite the sheer darkness of the street, Spencer goes furiously red. He frowns, tries to speak, he coughs. Tries to speak again. His voice is a few octaves higher than it was.

"Miss Lyra, I'm not entirely sure that would be appropriate."

"Appropriate? Oh.. OH! No... I.." she started to ramble, " I didn't mean it like that, my apologies."

He looks off to the side, down the alley, anywhere. he smiles.

"Rest assured, I believe you, but a gentleman still should not..."

And he trails off, suddenly, and frowns.

"Miss Lyra," he says, the tone changed. Grave. "Please go inside."

"Are you sure? I could make you another tea to warm you up." She practically begged him, giving him puppy eyes.

He looks back at her, urgent, but when he speaks, his voice is slow and calm. His hands are outstretched before him.

"Miss Lyra, I think I see somebody lying in the alley. I have to check."

"Oh, shall I look with you? there is power in numbers." She really pushed it.

He steps forward and grabs both of her forearms. His eyes are deadly serious.

"Miss Lyra. If this is a victim of the Ripper, the image of it will haunt you forever. He..." Spencer swallows and continues hushed. "He slashes the carotid and disembowels them postmortem. One of them had her intestines thrown over her shoulders."

"Detective. I've seen many things. In my home village, in the bar. I can handle myself." She grabbed his hand, it was surprisingly warm despite the frigid temperatures. She walked straight toward the alley

And Spencer follows, the pace brisk. He protests in bouts that fall on deaf ears, and when they reach the body, he skirts to a halt. He pulls Marceline's hand back, putting her behind him with a gentle push to the shoulder.

"Miss Lyra, this is official Scotland Yard business from here thereon. I beg you to stand back."

"Oh my god.."She stood frozen in shock. For the first time, Marceline had been speechless.