Criminal Minds: The Replacement

Chapter 4

--- Spencer Reid's point of View ---

Present Day

Damn it. How did I forget her name?!?I just met her. I must of sounded like an idiot: "uhh... erm... Evans...?"

Her name was Laura. And I have this strange feeling about her.

The doors to the briefing room opened for the third time since I sat down, and Laura walked in, followed by Emily. There was something about her. I didn't see it immediately because I wasn't looking. But when I watched Laura interact with the rest of the team she seemed different than the other agents who applied for BAU.

I guess I had been lost in my thoughts about her when I spilt the coffee. Luckily there was an extra tie in my bottom drawer of my desk because my black coffee with extra sugar completely ruined it.

"Well, today's case is a tricky one my pretties. We have a local serial killer," Garcia informed us from the front of the room. "Yesterday, a twenty-three year old woman named Tracy Wright was found dead. "

"The owner of a diner found her when he opened shop in an upright position, fully clothed, her hand on a strawberry milkshake." Garcia paused, then sighed, "From these pictures it is clear that the victim had been dead at least a couple months."

Gross. The image that filled the screen was disgusting. I turned to look at Laura, she didn't have a strong reaction, kind of the way Emily was able to look past the gore with out flinching.

"You said serial killer, but there is only one victim?" JJ commented.

"Yes, that's what I thought until I saw this," Garcia clicked her hand held remote to the next image, which was remotely similar to the previous one.

"This is Hannah Eastwood, killed exactly one year ago," Garcia continued, "Also blond, also twenty three, also found two months after death, also found placed in some strange position"

Laura spoke up.

"So the killer may feel remorse, he tries to make them comfortable, even in both situations gives the victims food."

A couple people shook their heads and Rossi spoke up. "If he felt remorse then he would have done this sooner, rather than now, such as when the decomposition process became visible.

I agreed with Laura though, and I needed her to see that I wasn't a stuttering freak.

"Laura is probably right, the way the unsub had treated the victims- it's almost as if he is putting back together pieces of their lives." I added putting emphasis on the 'Laura is right' part.

I looked at Laura she smiled at me and mouthed 'thanks'.

"Alright, due too the visual resemblance of the victims the unsub is recreating someone," Hotch announced. "And the unsub would also have stalked his victims first, we need to speak to family and friends and see if they noticed any one strange or out of place."

We all murmured in agreement.

"Okay," Hotch continued, "Derek and Rossi can you go speak to the Eastwood family, JJ could you visit the local PD and get all the information on Hannah Eastwood case, Reid and Laura check out the dump site. And Emily you can join me if you would like, visiting Tracy Wright's family."

We all got up and Laura walked over to me, grinning. I could feel my palms sweating.

"I guess we're partners" Laura said happily.

"I guess so," I replied.

I could not have thanked Hotch more.


- - - - - - - - - - - - - -


"Hey pretty boy" Derek called.

I was in the bullpen grabbing my cell phone that I had left on my desk and Laura was meeting by the SUVs.

"What??" I groaned.

"I the way you were looking at newbie in there," Derek said with a knowing look on his face.

Uh-oh. Was I that obvious?

"You think she's pretty don't you?" Derek asked.

"Well... uh... yeah, I do," I paused, "She is pretty, don't you think?"

"Yeah she is, but you know she won't last a month here." Derek said laughing. "Don't get yourself caught up in that it, it won't work out."

I thought about it for a second then remembered.

"She didn't flinch"

"What?" Derek said over his shoulder.

"Just like Emily when she came to the BAU, she may last."

At least I hope so.