Remember Me

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

                Hotch rounded the table, and carefully turned Gayle’s chair.

“Do you know her?” Gayle looked up, surprised, before hesitantly nodding.

“I…I do…she’s m-my friend.”

“Prentiss, get her to the doctor, and get that scan taken care of. We have to figure this out as soon as we can. Morgan, take Reid and go see what we can find at Gayle’s place. Rossi and I are going to go find out what we can about this new one,” Hotch said, opening the door.

“Wait…I-I want to go with you,” Gayle said, standing.

“No. You’re going to the hospital.”

“It’s my home.”

“I don’t care,” Hotch ordered, turning to look at her. “Go with SSA Prentiss. Don’t argue.” Gayle stepped back, and watched Rossi, Morgan, and Reid exit the room, before turning towards Prentiss, and sighing, but reluctantly nodding.

“C’mon…after we’re done, we can grab you something to eat,” Prentiss offered, gently touching Gayle’s elbow to lead her from the room.

                Reid looked over at Morgan as they drove down the road, the radio on but playing low.

“Why are you angry with her?” Reid asked, glancing back out the window.

“With who?”

“Gayle. I mean, I get that she crashed into you, but I really don’t think it could have worked out any better. Come on, hitting a federal agent? She put you in danger, but you are helping save her life…”

“Yo, Reid,” Morgan interrupted, holding up a hand to quiet him. “Look. I’m not angry with her. Why do you think I’m angry?”

“Because you haven’t said more than two words to her, or about her. You don’t seem to want to have anything to do with this case…”

“I’m frustrated because she’s the only one who knows anything, and she can’t remember it.” He turned the SUV around the corner, and stepped on the brake, leaning into the wheel. “Reid…what was her address?” he asked, slowly released the brake and sliding down the road.

“4728, Apartment B.” Morgan pushed his finger against the windshield, and as Reid turned his head, he said the building marked with 4728, and the door that had been marked B was open. Morgan parked along the side of the road, and shut off the SUV, climbing out with Reid as he drew his weapon.

                They approached the door, and Reid peered inside. From what he could see, the apartment had been ransacked – everything tipped, books, papers and various items covering the floor. Morgan led Reid inside, sidearm drawn, eyes open to everything.

                After a brief search of the apartment, Morgan replaced his weapon, and looked at Reid.

“It looks like there was a struggle in here…whatever happened to Gayle, I’m guessing it happened in here. She didn’t go looking for anything, no one abducted her off the street. They broke in and took her – they knew what they were lookin’ for…”

“You mean who they were looking for,” Reid said, following Morgan as he headed back outside, dialing Hotch to fill him in.

                Hotch glanced at Rossi, and held up a hand to signal his apology as he stepped away from Rossi and the young woman.

“Hotchner.”

“Yeah, Hotch, it’s Morgan. Look, we’re at Gayle’s place…it looks like she was kidnapped from here. Her place is a wreck, there’s some broken furniture…”