taxonomites | Case #3 [Visual | Location: Shelley]

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Case #3 [Visual | Location: Shelley]

Kate had been pacing in her room since she recovered from the glitch, trying to determine how to best address the situation. She was pretty mortified by her actions, especially with her "family." She wasn't sure how to act around Reid at all, not to mention the way she'd completely mothered River and Ax. Finally, Kate turned on the tablet, then cleared her throat and took a deep breath before she spoke.

"So, uh...I realize now that I was glitched. Needless to say, I had no idea what was going on, though it seems like I was only one of a few who didn't...you know what, that doesn't even matter.

I just...I want to say thank you to everyone who knew about the glitch and showed me kindness. Especially Spe-Reid, River, and Ax. I...just thank you."

Kate buried her face in her hands.

"I kind of wish I didn't remember everything that happened."

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"Well," he sighed. "No. There seems to be a lack of murder here in Taxon..."

He paused, trying this on in his head before spitting it out.

"I kind of... miss it."

"I know what you mean."

She plopped down on the bed.

"I feel like I'm struggling here so much because I don't have a purpose. My job was my life back home. Now I'm lost."

"It was mine as well. Murder is one of the constants of life back home."

He sat back in the chair.

"I'm not sure what to do with myself either."

"I hate to wish for crime, but..."

She shrugged.

"I remember when you asked me about what I'd like to do with my life, besides being a wife and mother."

She hadn't meant to bring it back up, but there it was.

Spencer nodded. That had been another thing he'd wanted to talk about.

"You said you would want to be an attorney. Why are you a detective now and not an attorney?"

She sighed. She hadn't anticipated such a personal question, but she told herself that Spencer had no idea the kind of question he was asking.

"I started out in law school. But my mother was...killed, and the situation made me realize I wanted to catch criminals, instead of just putting them away after the fact."

There it was. Spencer remembered their conversation at the zoo and about how Kate's degree was in pre-law. He was sure something had been the impetus for the switch.

"How was she killed..... if you don't mind me asking."

She really did mind, actually. But Reid - Spencer - had been so good to her during the glitch, when a lesser man wouldn't have bothered. He deserved respect for that. And the truth.

"She was murdered. The police at the time said it was a botched robbery."

Spencer gazed at her. She had his full attention now.

"You don't believe that to be true?"

She glared at the wall.

"A botched robbery, yet nothing was taken? Her purse, keys, jewelry...they were all there. If it was worth killing a woman, why not grab the purse or the watch? Steal her car?"

Beckett was absolutely right.

"Indeed, that's not indicative of a robbery. The murder wasn't solved?"

She shook her head.

"We finally tracked down the man who actually killed her. He was a contract killer, and he admitted he'd been ordered to kill her. But he died before I could find out who made the order."

Spencer couldn't help himself. He found most any case intriguing, but after going so long without a real one, he was positively thirsting for a new puzzle.

"So the case is cold then... The vic-your mother... did you have any reason to believe that she would be involved with something that might get her killed?"

"No reason whatsoever."

Her voice was absolute, and she hoped Spencer would let the matter drop.

"So why then..."

Now Spencer's mind was going, fascinated and in dire need of stimulation.

"Random attacks of that nature are relatively rare, only accounting for 18% of homicides."

"There's no such thing as a random contract hit."

She sighed.

"Someone wanted her dead. I've worked this case for years. I found nothing."

"Ah, yes, I'm sorry, the contract..."

He had a stat for that too of course.

"73% of contract hits involve some form of corruption or illegal behavior."

"My mother was not involved in any kind of illegal behavior."

This is why it was so hard to talk about her mom's case. Because she knew the statistics too. And it didn't look good for her mom. However, there was no way she'd believe her mother was involved in illegal activity until she had irrefutable evidence in her hand.

"That you're aware of, at least."

Spencer of course spoke about this case like he wasn't talking to the victim's daughter, and like the victim's daughter wasn't a homicide detective.

"No breaks in the case? I'd love to see the case file..."

Kate stood up and walked to the door.

"Well, you can't."

"Well of course not, it isn't here..."

Kate was moving. Why was she moving?

"Wait, where are you going?"

"I'm not going anywhere, but you are if we don't change the subject."

She dropped her head, trying to keep her temper.

"Reid - Spencer - I don't even know what to call you anymore. I just...I don't like to talk about my mom's case. It was my life for years, and it got me nowhere. I can't go back there."

"Oh."

Spencer hadn't realized that. After all, it was the first case he'd heard about in months. He wanted to devour it, to dive into every detail. But, he supposed that it was personal for her.

"I apologize."

He slumped slightly in the chair.

"I'd prefer Reid."

Kate raised a hand, walking back to the bed.

"No apologies necessary. I overreacted. You're a naturally curious person. I shouldn't have thought I could just bring the subject up and then drop it."

They were quiet for a moment.

"So Reid instead of Spencer? Any particular reason?"

"I admit that I'm very interested in the case."

Spencer paused here, contemplating the reasons why he went by Reid.

"My mother is the only one who calls me Spencer... well and then JJ calls me Spence. Everyone else calls me Reid."

Case #3 [Visual | Location: Shelley]

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