Mini Reid (Book 3 in the Boss's Niece series #Wattys2016)

A Case Close To Home

I was about 5 months pregnant and blowing up like a balloon. I tried to show that being pregnant wasn't limiting me with my work, but there was a few things that I couldn't do.

I was in my office one morning when there was a knock. I looked up to see Penelope standing in my doorway.

"We got a case." she said.

"Coming." I said.

I got up and followed her to the Conference Room. I took my usual seat next to Spencer and smiled at him. Everyone else sat down and Penelope started.

"We have a shooting in New York." she started.

"New York, huh?" I interrupted. "Does this mean I get to go home?"

"Yes it does, Bright Eyes." Penelope said. "Two victims. Male and female, both have not been identified yet. A man walked into a doctors office, shot the woman, the man tried to get away, UnSub shot him, too, and fled the scene. So far, no apparent connection between the victims other then they were both in their late forties."

My heart stopped for a millisecond. A male victim. Unidentified. What if...no, it couldn't be. It couldn't be him, right?

"Wheels up in twenty." Uncle Aaron said and everyone moved out. Once we were out of the Conference Room, I dialed his number.

It rang and rang and I prayed that he answered.

"You've reached Sean Hotchner. I can't answer the phone, but if you leave a message, I'll get back to you as soon as I can." said his voice mail. My heart dropped into my stomach.

•

We sat on the plane. I was looking out the window at the clouds. Spencer sat across from me. He must've noticed something was up.

"You know, stress isn't that good for the baby." he said.

"I know, but the fact that we're going to New York and there's an unidentified male victim is making me think." I said. "What if it's dad?"

"Mel." Spencer said. "If it was your dad, don't you think you and Hotch would be the first to know?"

"The victims are unidentified, Spencer." I said. "For all I know, that could be dad and the UnSub screwed him u so badly that I wouldn't even be able to recognize him." I realized I was crying when I tasted the salty tears in my mouth. "I can't loose both parents, Spencer. I just can't."

Spencer got up and wrapped his arms around me. I let a few tears slip before I wiped them away. I still wasn't 100%, but I had to believe that he was okay.

Spencer sat back down as Penelope popped up on the computer screen.

"Hey Baby Girl. Tell us something good." said Derek.

"Well, still no identification on the victims, but I do have the name of the doctor who owns the doctors office. I called him and he agreed to speak as well as other witnesses from the shooting." Penelope said. "Mel, you okay?"

Everyone turned to look at me. I was so worried, I forgot to act as if I was okay. I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

"You're pale. You feeling okay?" asked Uncle Aaron.

"Is the baby okay?" JJ asked.

"I'm fine." I lied. "Just had some stomach troubles. Morning sickness, I think."

"Are you sure you're okay to work? You can sit this case out." said David.

"I'm fine, guys. I promise. I'm okay with doing this case." I said, mainly because if I didn't know if dad was a victim, I'd probably go insane.

"Okay. Thank you Garcia." Uncle Aaron said. "Mel, JJ and Reid, you guys interview the witnesses. Rossi and I will go to the crime scene. Morgan and Alex, you go to the morgue and see if the autopsies are back."

I nodded. I swallowed the big lump in my throat and tried not to focus on the case. I needed a moment not to worry. Like Spencer said, stress isn't good for the baby.

The plane soon landed. We all got in the SUVs and drove off. Spencer held my hand as we drove to the station. My heart pounded as we walked in and were greeted by the chief.

"Hi. You must be from the FBI." he said. "My names Sergeant Bennett."

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Dr. Spencer Reid and this is my partner, Dr. Melanie Reid." Spencer said.

"Wait, Melanie? Melanie Hotchner?" Sergeant Bennett said. I nodded. "I remember you. You used to stop by every morning with the paper and ask about what we were doing."

I smiled.

"I remember that. I used to wanna be a cop." I told Spencer.

"Looks like you took one step farther and became FBI." Sergeant Bennett said. "Anyways, the doctor and a few patients are here. They're ready to talk."

"Alright. Thanks Bennett." I said. He gave me a smile and went off. I turned to Spencer. "I wanna talk to the doctor."

"Go ahead." Spencer said. "But, Mel. Promise me you'll try and calm down. Your dad hasn't been hurt."

"We don't know that yet." I said and turned off to talk to the doctor.

He was pacing an office. He jumped when he heard the door open. I gave him a reassuring smile as I sat down.

"Hi. My names Melanie Reid, I'm with the FBI." I said.

"Derek White." he replied.

I chuckled and said, "There's someone on our team named Derek. Derek Morgan."

"Small world." Dr. White said and sat down.

"Yeah. He's the muscle of the team. Kicks down doors, fights UnSubs. You know, the normal." I said.

"Then he's nothing like me."

We both laughed. I quickly became serious. I needed answers.

"So, did you see the man who did this?" I asked. "Was he a patient?"

"I'm not sure. I never got a good look. I was with a patient when I heard the gun shots. We quickly locked the door until the coast was clear." he replied. "There weren't many make patients there that day."

"Do you know who the victim was?"

"Not really. She wasn't my patient. Her doctor was Dr. Robinson."

"Do you know Dr. Robinson?"

"We're friends. He and I have been friends for a while. He's a good doctor, but he says he doesn't wanna talk. He's still kinda shaken up."

I nodded. "That's perfectly fine. Sometimes people don't wanna talk for reasons and that's their reasons. It's completely fine."

"But, if he does, I'll send him to you."

"Thank you very much Dr. White." I said. "I have another question. Do you have a patient by the name of Sean Hotchner?"

Dr. White looked at me strange before answering, "Yes I do. Why do you ask?"

"Did he have an appointment for yesterday?"

"I'm not sure. I could go back and check."

"That won't be necessary. Thank you for your time." I said and got up. I was about to leave when Dr. White stopped me.

"Why do you not to know that Mrs. Reid?" he asked.

I leaned against the door and sighed.

"H-He's my father." I said. "I was just wondering-"

Dr. White held up a hand to stop me.

"I understand." he said. "I'm sorry that I don't have a straight answer for you."

"It's fine." I shrugged. "I'll try to call him again. Thank you for your time Dr. White. If you find out anything else, please don't hesitate to tell us."

"I won't."

I nodded and left. The minute I was out of the office, I quickly dialed my dad's number again. I waited as it rang and rang and rang.

"You've reached Sean Hotchner. I can't answer the phone, but if you leave a message, I'll get back to you as soon as I can."