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“Did you know that Denver has a homeless population of 9,065 people, a 5% increase from last year. If our unsub is truly targeting the homeless it is very unlikely we will know where he will strike next.”
“Pretty boy, don’t think about it too hard, the unsub obviously has a confort area. Currently he has been hunting near the college campus, so it’s possible he sees himself as a protector of the students.”
“The Denver College campus actually consists of three different colleges and it’s actually called Auraria Campus. There are nearly 38,000 students on the campus daily with an addtional 5000 of staff or faculty.”
“Reid, do you ever stop reading up on statistics?” Derek Morgan asked his best friend.
“Of course not, they actually recently came up with a new report in-”
“Forget I asked.” he interrupted.
Reid just pursed his lips and nodded. “So where are we going?”
“Theres a local restaurant near the train station, it’s recently opened but due to the homeless population surrounding them, I’ve heard they’re barely making ends meet. The last victim was found a block from here, the body dumped right after opening. We’re trying to see if they could have witnessed anything.”
“I see,” Reid replied, “Well, getting a better feel of the area will help us get into the unsubs mind.”
Derek pulled the car into the pay for park spot infront of the newly opened crepe resturant. They walked into the small restaurant, it was a teal colored shop with three employees currently working. “Hello! How can we help you?” one of the employees brightly asked.
“Agent Derek Morgan and Dr. Spencer Reid, we’re with the FBI investigating a murder that happened here recently. I was wondering if you had seen anything or know anything that could help us.” Morgan and Reid flashed their badges, looking at the employee expectedly.
The poor girl was in shock, her jaw dropped and she slowly spoke, “I- I didn’t see anyone. Someone was killed?”
“Yes, a homeless man about three days ago. Were you working that morning?”
“I- No, let me get my manager here. Shes here every morning.”
“Great.” Derek smiled before turning to Reid, “Why are you so quiet?”
“Uh, no reason.” he said, glancing around the store and quickly turning away when he locked eyes with someone.
“Spencer?” Someone behind them spoke up. Reid didn’t turn. “Spencer Reid, is that you?”
Derek turned, causing Reid to instinctively turn with him, “Yes?”
“I knew it! It is you! My god, it’s been so long.”
“Twenty Nine years actually.”
“Same as always.” the man laughed.
Reids composure remained unmoved, “Right, this is Derek Morgan.”
“Pleasure to meet you.” Derek shook hands with the man infront of them.
“Taylor Mayes.” He grinned. “What brings you out here? So far from Vegas.”
“We’re working,” Reid remained short. “So if you don’t mind I’d like to get back to that.” Reid turned back to the Manager who had finally made her way to them.
“Agents, what can I help you with?”
“Have you seen someone around here who stands out? Someone who looked like they might be part of the homeless population but is seemingly more aggressive than others or maybe a customer who has taken interest in watching them?”
“I haven’t seen anyone like that. We do have cameras outside, but they’re only motion sensor activated. I’m unsure if we’ll find anything you need.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Reid replied, “Take my card and email me the files when you have them. We’re going to need them Asap.”
“Of course, Dr. I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help.”
“Don’t worry about it.” he insisted, turning back to Derek.
“Come on, lets go.”
“Hang on a moment, your friend came to say hi to you. We can wait until you catch up before we go back.”
Reid glanced at the man, remembering the torment he caused him in highschool. The laughing from the football team and the quarterback leading the charge.
“No, we’re not friends.”
“Reid-” Morgan began.
“Derek, I will go back with or without you. We have a serial killer to catch, i’d rather spend my time covering the case than with him.”
Derek nodded, giving Mr. Mayes a short goodbye.
“What was that all about?” Derek asked once they were in the car.
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Reid, you were being rude. Even if you don’t like him we are members of the BAU, your actions reflect on the FBI.”
“You seemed to have no issue telling off Agent Kate Joyner.”
“That was different-”
“Was it?” Reid interrupted him. “Let's go, Hotch will start calling us if we’re late.”
Derek didn’t push the matter further and started the car. He pulled out of the spot and drove away.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
“We got him, good job narrowing down his hunting grounds reid,” Derek complimented.
“It was pure statistics. Unsubs are most likely to hunt within grounds outside of their home to prevent suspicion but this one seemed to be getting closer and closer to a certain location. Floyd Feylinn Ferell hunted outside where he lived until we caught him hunting close to home- they all get overly confident at one point or another.”
“Just like Spencer to spout facts.” A familiar voice said drawing their attention. They were standing by the local train station after finally arresting the killer in the nearby area.
“Mayes.” Reid reluctantly acknowledged.
“What are you doing here?” Mayes asked.
“We just arrested the serial killer.”
“Seriously? The one who was targeting the homeless?”
Reid nodded, “Yes, we are FBI- we’re wearing the vests…”
Reid looked down at his vest and back up at Taylor Mayes, he gave Taylor an ‘ are you dumb?’ look.
“You? You’re like a pipe cleaner, you’re FBI?”
“Yes… I also have 3 PhD’s so it’s Doctor Reid to you.”
“Reid- who exactly is this?” Derek said, stepping in after feeling the hostility between Reid and Taylor.
“Do you remember what I told you during the Owen Savage case? About the flag pole?” Spencer began. Derek nodded slowly, his hand moving ever so slowly over his gun. “He was the one who tied me to it and stripped me.”
“Wait a minute-” Taylor said worridly. “- look, I didn’t approach you cause of that. I was 17, just a kid.”
“I was twelve when you tied me up to the flag pole, naked. You recorded me and hid my clothes. The janitor let me go and gave me a trash bag to cover up. You were just a kid? I was five years younger than you.” Spencer spat.
Derek stepped back to let Spencer do his thing. “I wasn’t thinking straight- i didn’t know-”
“You did know. In fact you were a few months away from becoming an adult, I was 12.” Spencer shook his head. “You’re not worth my energy. We have a plane to catch.”
Spencer turned and walked away, “Spencer-” Taylor tried to grab Reids wrist to get his attention.
Derek stepped in, stopping him. “If you touch him, I will hit you with so many charges you’ll be buried in court fees.”
“Its been years since that day.” Taylor stated as if that should solve anything. “We were kids, we learn to move on.”
Derek nearly broke the man in two. “Watch your words. You are speaking to a member of the FBI’s best unit. If you ever come near Dr. Reid or anyone from my team again, I will have you arrested for harassment.”
Derek walked off, leaving Taylor Mayes alone with his thoughts. “Reid.” Derek said, catching up with the young doctor. “Reid wait. I’m sorry about earlier, I had no idea. If i had known-”
“The outcome wouldn’t have changed. It is in the past, there qas nothing to do.”
“I probably would have knocked him on his ass right then and there.”
“You’d do that? Even though it’s been over 20 years?”
Derek nodded sincerely, “of course, you’re my best friend. What that man did to you was unacceptable. Child or not.”
Spencer smiled, “Thanks. Although, I do hope youre refraining from randomly kocking people out.”
“Do bar fights count?” Derek laughed.
“Guys, stop hanging around. It’s time to go.” Rossi called out.
Derek and Reid glanced at eachother, managing a laugh. Derek put his arm round Reid’s shoulder, “If you ever need anyone beat up, I’m here for you.”
“My hero.” Reid laughed, finally glad to have faced his past, getting closure for what had happened before.