the great war, spencer reid [ 2 ]

067.ashley

"Hey, that's a lot of reading, even for you, Spence." JJ comments.

"Class starts the beginning of next week, and Prentiss is making it so I can take a sabbatical." Spencer says, smiling.

"Nice. What are you teaching?" JJ asks.

"A symposium on medieval violence and criminology." Spencer says. "So one might say that I am stoked." He says making Bedelia softly smile.

"So, how much overlap is there between, uh--" Matt starts to ask.

"Mmm, no, you don't wanna--" JJ quietly protests, shaking her head.

"Do it." Bedelia tells her husband. She smiles the moment he starts ranting.

"For starters, the spectacle element in medieval violence can help us decode the motivelessness in today's crimes." Spencer says. "Can I ask you guys a serious question? Do you guys think maybe I should be providing more visual aids in terms of weapons? Like a katana, plumbata, "The War Cart of Conrad Keyser.""

"Where are you getting this? Can you even bring those to class?" Bedelia questions. "Those are literal weapons. Would you bring the actual weapon or just a photo of said weapon?"

"Mmm, you know, I need to get some coffee." JJ says. "You, rookie, get comfy." She quietly tells Matt.

"Essentially, "The War Cart of Conrad Keysey" is a wicker basket." Spencer says, continuing to ramble.

+++

"The police chief in Plymouth, New Hampshire has asked for assistance." Emily says. "Grace and Kellan Butler were shot and killed in their home last night."

"What's the working theory?" Matt asks.

"Robbery, homicide, home invasion." Penelope says.

"Except there's a wrinkle to that." Emily says. "The Butlers had a little girl -- Ruby. Looks as though she's been abducted."

"Has the child abduction rapid deployment team been activated yet?" Tara asks.

"They'll meet us on the ground in New Hampshire." Emily says.

"Statistically, most child abductions are perpetrated by someone close to the family." Spencer says. "It's most likely a friend or a relative."

"Plymouth PD are collecting those names as we speak." Emily says.

"An 8 year old is a lot of work." Bedelia says. "She'd fight back, she'd cry. If he has some fantasy about Ruby and she doesn't live up to it..." She trails off.

"Ruby would be in grave danger." Luke says.

"When it comes to missing kids, the first 24 hours are the only 24 hours." Rossi says.

"This unsub is organized, methodical. He got into the house, killed two people and walked out with a little girl without detection." Emily says. "If he does kill Ruby, he's gonna make sure we don't find her, and we can't let that happen. Wheels up. Not in 20. Now."

+++

"Where are we on friends and family interviews?" Rossi asks.

"Butlers had no family in the area and everyone who knew them volunteered to come in." Emily states. "We've asked the local police to administer a polygraph to all interviewees."

"Standard operating procedure in all child abduction cases. Anyone who says "no" stands out. Who said no?" Spencer asks.

"Nobody." Emily answers. "We'll vet the interviewees when we land, but for now, let's consider other theories."