Decisions (4th Book in the Boss's Niece Series)

The UnSub

I was still worried about the offer the next morning when we got to the station. What made it worst was when Spencer and I got to work the next day and Sara gave us news.

"Another kidnapping."

"Another one?" Spencer asked. "But we have Wendall. Does this mean he's the wrong guy?"

"No." I replied. "It means she's desperate and kidnapped our newest victim herself. Did anyone come in to talk about this or to report this?"

"Two of our victim's friends. One is a prostitute that was with her when she got picked up and one is her roommate." Sara replied.

"What's the vic's name and age?" I asked.

"Harlow Turner, 16." Sara replied. "Her friends are other there if you wanna talk to them."

I brushed past Sara and walked over to two young girls. They turned to look at me, worried looks on their faces.

"Hi. My name is Melanie Reid. I'm with the FBI's Behavioral Analyst Unit. Would you two mind having a word? I'd like to ask you a few questions about Harlow." I said. The girls nodded and I led them to Jackson's office.

I sat on one side of the desk and the two girls sat on the other. They both looked worried. One even looked like she had been crying.

"First, may I ask your names?" I said.

"My names Justine." one of the girls said. By the way she was dressed, I guessed she was the prostitute with Harlow when she was kidnapped.

"Patricia." the other said.

"Okay. Justine, am I right to say you were the one with Harlow when she was kidnapped?" I asked. Justine nodded. "And Patricia, how did you know Harlow was kidnapped?"

"Well, I knew she was out working last night. When she didn't come home this morning. I got worried. I called Justine and she told me that Harlow had been picked up. We knew then something must've happened to her. She's usually home in the morning." Patricia explained.

"How old are you two?" I asked.

"19." they both said.

"And you realized Harlow was 16, which made her underaged."

Justine looked at Patricia with wide eyes. Patricia looked at her lap, unable to look at me or Justine. Patricia knew. Justine didn't.

"You knew?" Justine asked. "And you didn't tell me?"

"She promised me she'd tell you." Patricia replied. "She told me that if I told you then you'd tell her not to be doing this. I trusted she'd tell you."

"Well, she didn't and now she's been kidnapped!" Justine said.

"I'm sorry. I knew I should've told you. We could've prevented this!" Patricia began to cry. Justine rubbed her back, soothingly. I gave them a moment before asking questions again.

"Justine, do you remember the man who picked Harlow up?" I asked. Justine looked at me.

"It wasn't a man. It was a woman." she said. Patricia's head popped up too at this news. We both gave her a confused look. "What?"

"A woman picked up Harlow?" I asked. Justine nodded. "Is that normal? If women want to pick up someone, wouldn't it usually be a man?"

"Usually." Justine agreed. "But, we don't tend to judge. If a woman picks us up, it's usually a collage girl who's confused or a lesbian who just wants to know how it feels to be touched by a woman."

"But, is it normal?"

"Not usually. I mean, a scattered woman here and there, but it's usually men. Teens who want to lose it, men who have just gotten divorced or aren't being pleasured by their wife. When this woman came and asked for Harlow, we didn't think twice. Harlow was once picked up by a woman before. She said it was an amazing experience which is why she was okay with going again."