Killer Affair | Spencer Reid Short Story

Kitty Cat

Gwen

I barely noticed her at first, blending in with the late-afternoon crowd in the park, but then I caught her eye. JJ. Standing there in jeans and a sweatshirt, pushing a stroller, looking like she belonged in some family magazine. My stomach twisted, but I forced a smile and walked over. After all, there was no reason not to.

"Hey, JJ," I said, keeping my tone light, though it felt like I was scraping words from the bottom of my throat.

She smiled, bright and friendly, with that warmth that always made me wonder what it was like to live in her world. "Gwen! I haven't seen you around for a while. How's everything with you and Spencer?"

The ache in my chest clenched tighter, and I swallowed before answering. "We... uh, actually aren't together anymore. Spencer broke up with me."

Her smile faded, replaced with something like shock and sympathy. "Oh, Gwen. I'm so sorry. I had no idea... he didn't tell anyone." Her brows knitted together, like she was trying to make sense of it. "You know, he's been under a lot of stress lately."

I nodded, though part of me wanted to snap. Of course, he was under stress—he worked in the BAU. But I kept my mouth shut, just waiting to hear what else she had to say.

"It's been worse since... well, Cat Adams escaped custody," she said, her voice lowering as if speaking her name could conjure something dark into the sunlight.

The name hit me like a slap. Cat Adams. Spencer had mentioned her once, a long time ago, in that way people talk about old nightmares they still don't want to relive. "Cat... she's dangerous, isn't she?"

JJ nodded. "Dangerous doesn't even cover it. She's... obsessed with him. She's already hurt people close to him before. I can't imagine what he's going through knowing she's out there again."

Obsessed with him. I felt a simmering anger start to creep up my spine, warming my skin as if I'd been standing too close to a fire. The pieces began to click together in my mind—the break-up, the fear in his eyes that he tried so hard to hide. He hadn't left me because he wanted to. He was protecting me.

JJ's voice softened. "I think he just wants to make sure everyone he cares about is safe."

My fists clenched, and I forced them open again before she noticed. "So Cat... she's somewhere out there, planning to hurt him?"

JJ looked down, her face somber. "If I know her, she's probably planning to hurt all of us. Especially Spencer."

I nodded, trying to look thoughtful, keeping the fury bubbling inside me out of my expression. Cat Adams. She thought she could just tear apart lives and get away with it? Not while I was around. No one was going to hurt Spencer—not her, not anyone.

"Thank you for telling me, JJ. I... I had no idea. It makes sense now."

JJ gave me a sad smile. "I'm so sorry you're caught up in all of this, Gwen. I'm sure Spencer will reach again when it's all over. He really liked you."

But as I said goodbye and turned to leave, the sadness dissolved, replaced by a thrill of purpose. Cat Adams thought she was untouchable, but she was wrong. I'd make sure of that. Spencer might not want me in his life right now, but that didn't mean I couldn't protect him in my own way.

And if Cat wanted a fight, she'd found one.

The hunt began with quiet, careful steps. Cat Adams was a ghost, but I was willing to become one too, if that was what it took. I spent the next few days researching her, digging up every mention I could find. Spencer had told me she was smart—one of the smartest killers the BAU had ever hunted. But arrogance had a way of blinding even the most brilliant minds, and I knew exactly how to use that against her.