My Partner Against Crime

Chapter 36

"When can we visit? I know it's hard for you to make it out Marina, but we all really miss you." I lean back in my chair staring up at JJ and Hotch's conversation in his office.

"You mean soon? I don't think I have too much going on right now. If I have to leave you guys can still stay at my house and do tourist stuff."

"Tourist stuff? Trust me, we're only coming to see you, love. Can't you take some time off? You're always gone, they should let you breathe." My mom has never understood my work, she never got why I'd want to be so far from home, or why I would give my life to something that evidently doesn't effect me. She always saw me marrying early, and having a school of children, she clearly has never known me.

"Give me some dates and I'll see what I can do." I glance up at Spencer walking towards me with a file in his hand. "Maybe I'll fly out instead of all of you coming."

"Okay, you know you should really call more often, I know you're busy but not hearing from you worries me." I rub my temple suddenly feeling pressure to hang up, mainly since Spencer stood waiting for my attention.

"I'll try, I'll talk to you later." I anxiously tap my foot.

"Oh hun, have you talked to Spencer recently? What's going on, I can't keep up?" I shut my eyes in frustration, why can't we ever have a simple goodbye.

"Alright, I love you too, bye." I pull my phone from my ear and quickly tap the red circle. I look up at Spencer and sigh.

"What's up?" He towers over me when I'm standing, when I'm sitting I have to lean back to meet his eyes.

"I have another file for you to look over." I nod and take the maroon file from him. I drop it on my desk and begin going through it.

"Why is the evidence left blank?" I look up at him, he anxiously plays with his tie.

"I um, they don't... I lost clearance, I figured you could-" I put my hand up stopping him.

"Why don't you come with me? We can get it done now." He nods. I slide a pen onto the file and stand up, leading the way.
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"Case 1427, Donald Mann. Should be just one box." I tell the woman in charge of evidence.

"Give me a second and I'll have it ready for you, go ahead and sign in." She points to the clipboard on the small ledge in front of me, and walks away.

I pass Spencer the file to hold, take the pen which is chained to the clip board, and start filling out the simple sign in sheet.

"Who were you talking to?" I pause before I answer, finishing the sign in, then facing Spencer.

"You didn't see that lady in there?" I lean against the wall and point at the window.

"No, I mean at your desk, on the phone." I sign thinking back to the conversation.

"My mom, she and the rest of my family want to visit. You know how my mom is, she'll never understand exactly what I do or why I do it." I rub the side of my head at the thought.

"Are they coming soon? I wouldn't mind dropping by, if that's what you want." I shake my head and glance behind me hoping the lady is coming back.

"No, it's fine. I think I'll take a few days off, or a week. Honestly I think I'll go to California rather than having them all come here." He opens his mouth to speak but is interrupted.

"Here you go ma'am, when you're done just make sure to return everything to the far window, I think Sharon is over there now." I smile and nod, grabbing the handles of the box.