Cowboy Like Me: Criminal Minds

Ghosts of Home

The BAU's conference room holds a subtle, unusual tension as JJ begins the briefing. A series of disturbing cases has surfaced in a small Texas town: over the last three months, several young women have disappeared, only for their bodies to be discovered in remote locations days later. Each woman shares a similar physical profile, and the distinctive marks left on them—bruises forming precise shapes, symbols cut into the skin—suggest a meticulously ritualistic unsub.

JJ clicks to a map on the screen showing a cluster of red pins marking where the bodies were found. "These spots seem random at first, but each is within ten miles of the downtown area. And here's the strange part," she adds, tapping on a close-up of one location. "Each site is visible from the closest church steeple, like a signature left behind."

Sloane's expression falters, just for a second, as she takes in the town's name on the map. Reid, sitting beside her, catches the slight shift in her face and exchanges a brief glance with Morgan, both sensing a subtle reaction from her. But they don't comment as Hotch stands, ending the briefing.

"We'll take the jet. Wheels up in one hour," he says, his voice steady.

The team begins to file out, and Sloane gathers her things, her fingers gripping the handle of her bag just a bit too tightly. Memories she'd buried long ago begin to surface, swirling in her mind. Her throat tightens, but she says nothing, determined to keep her connection to the town hidden. She steels herself, hoping the team won't notice that this case isn't just another assignment for her—it's a journey back to the home, and the past, she thought she had left behind.

The plane lands under the midday sun, casting the Texas town in a glaring light that makes the familiar streets seem surreal. The heat wraps around them as they exit the airport and climb into SUVs for the drive to the precinct. Sloane's eyes flit to landmarks she hasn't seen in years, taking in the same church, the high school she used to walk past, the park where she and her best friend, Emily, used to meet after class. The town feels both unchanged and unfamiliar, and her stomach twists with a mix of nostalgia and something darker.

Reid, sitting beside her, picks up on her distraction, noting the way her gaze seems to linger on certain buildings and intersections. "You okay?" he asks gently, his voice low enough not to draw attention from the others.

Sloane snaps her attention back to the present and forces a smile. "Yeah, it's just... bringing back memories. Haven't been here in a long time."

Reid nods, his eyes softening. He doesn't press further, but a subtle understanding passes between them, and Sloane feels a flicker of gratitude for his perceptiveness. The rest of the team, unaware of her history here, is occupied reviewing notes in the car, with Hotch calling the local precinct to coordinate.

They arrive at the station, where the sheriff greets them at the entrance. He's an older man with a worn face, his Texas drawl thick as he introduces himself to each team member. But when he reaches Sloane, he pauses, his eyebrows rising in recognition before his face breaks into a smile.

"Well, if it isn't Sloane Barrett, back in town," he says, his voice carrying through the small precinct entrance.

The rest of the team glances over at her, their faces a mix of surprise and curiosity. Sloane offers a tight smile, her discomfort clear, but she nods politely. "It's been a long time, Sheriff."

The sheriff chuckles, his hand still resting on her shoulder. "Never thought I'd see you back here under these circumstances. But it seems you got what you wanted—always said you were leaving for bigger things, and look at you now."

Morgan raises an eyebrow, a small grin spreading across his face. "Didn't know we were working with a hometown celebrity."

Hotch's gaze lingers on Sloane, his expression unreadable as he takes in her reaction. He meets her eyes for a brief moment, a silent question in his gaze. Sloane returns his look, her resolve steadying. She's here to do a job—she can put personal history aside.