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14
The chief called Jeff with his concerns about Donald Reinhardt, and Jeff promised to track him down and bring him in. At this point, Alex didn’t know whether Reinhardt was a target or their UNSUB, but either way, Jeff needed to find him.
Jeff was sending FBI police officers to take them back to Quantico, where the Bureau could keep an eye on them. They would establish a task force on site. Since agents were involved and two deaths had happened outside of Gorman’s jurisdiction, the FBI was now able to step into the case without being asked by local law enforcement. Gorman offered to send Detectives Cooper and Palmer to a motel nearby so they could assist the team when necessary. The offer was accepted with gratitude.
Along with Logan and Kaely, Alex was ready when the officers arrived. No one talked much in the car. She felt odd that they were the only unit being housed at the academy, but according to Gorman, Jeff was taking extra precautions with them. Because of Monty, he felt the threat was directed toward them more than any other BAU unit.
Alex was certain Kaely and Logan were both doing exactly what she was—turning the details of the case over and over in their minds. They’d done their job, and she stood by their profile, but she still felt unsettled. As if they’d missed something. Something important. Profiling an UNSUB who might actually be targeting you was a strange feeling. Maybe that’s why she couldn’t relax.
They were dropped off in front of the Jefferson dormitory, where they would be staying. The other four members of their unit were also being housed there. Members of the other BAU units who lived in base housing were allowed to remain but were ordered to stay watchful. Special agents from other locations were shipped in and assigned to patrol the streets to help the FBI police officers and make sure all BAU agents stayed safe.
By the time they’d had some dinner in the food court and Alex and Kaely had checked into their room, Alex was balancing exhaustion against a desire to talk to Kaely. She wanted to discuss their profile. Was Kaely feeling the same uneasiness Alex couldn’t shake? She was quiet as they unpacked, but when they were done, Alex decided to take a chance.
“So what do you think?” she asked Kaely. “Are you happy with our profile?”
Kaely shrugged as she sat down at the small table on one side of the room. “I’d certainly like to narrow it down more. So far we’ve identified the UNSUB as possibly someone who was rejected by the FBI or, more specifically, the BAU. It’s so broad. That doesn’t make me feel like we’ve succeeded at our job.”
Alex sat down on one of the twin beds. “But how can we narrow it down any more? Frankly, I’ve got a headache from thinking about this UNSUB. I get the feeling he knows how much he’s confused us.”
Kaely looked up at her, a strange expression on her face. “Why did you become a behavioral analyst?”
The sudden question caught Alex unawares, but she tried to answer honestly. “When I was a kid in school, we had these days when the fathers or mothers came in and talked about their jobs. One of the students brought an uncle who’d retired from the BAU. I could hardly breathe as he talked about what he’d done. I knew then I wanted to be part of the FBI. And I never wavered.”
“Did your parents support your decision?” Kaely asked. “You don’t have to answer that if it makes you uncomfortable.”
Knowing some of Kaely’s background made Alex feel it was only fair that she should share her own. She didn’t usually talk about her past. Logan knew because of an assignment they’d had together that intersected with her childhood.
“I never knew my father, and my mother died when I was young,” she said. “I lived with my aunt. I don’t think she understood my decision.”
Kaely frowned. “You said you lived with your aunt. Usually people say they were raised by someone. And you looked away and clasped your hands when you said it. That means answering the question upset you.” She stared at Alex as if expecting her to explain.
“I know how to read body language too,” Alex said, her tone sharp. She instantly regretted her reaction. Kaely had been treated unfairly because of her background, and Alex knew what it felt like to be judged by a past you had no control over. She decided to take a leap of faith and be honest with Kaely. Her instinct told her she could trust her.
Alex took a deep breath. “As I said, I never knew my father. My mother actually committed suicide when I was twelve. My aunt wasn’t stable, and I was the adult in the family. I had to clean the house, pay the bills, take care of everything.”
“Do your nightmares come from living with your aunt?”
This time Alex felt a real flash of irritation. “How do you know about the nightmares? Did you get that by profiling me? You asked a question. I answered it. Isn’t that enough?”
To her surprise, Kaely smiled. “I’m sorry, Alex. I know what it’s like to have people insert themselves into your life. You had a nightmare last night. It didn’t last that long, but it concerned me.”
Alex had no memory of the dream. “I ... I’m sorry. Why didn’t you wake me up?”
“I’ve had my share of nightmares. I’m sure you have an idea why I was plagued with them. But what about you? You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. You can just tell me to mind my own business.”
Alex’s annoyance dissipated like a cloud being blown away by a gentle wind. Kaely wasn’t being nosy. She was just asking because she cared. Alex took another deep breath. “My aunt’s house was a disaster area when I moved in. She was ... Well, she was an adult with the maturity of a child. She honestly didn’t see anything wrong with the mess she lived in. I had to spend the first few nights in a filthy room, and in the dark, cockroaches came out. The house was full of them. They climbed on me. I ended up spending the night on a chair. With the lights on. I ... I’ve had a fear of roaches and being in the dark ever since. I’m doing better now that I understand why the nightmares came.”
Kaely’s eyebrow arched. “And why is that?”
Alex frowned at her. “I’m sure you have an opinion.”
“Please don’t take this so personally,” Kaely said gently. “It’s just that you and I are a lot alike. We both came from dysfunctional homes, and we’ve both dealt with nightmares. I guess it makes me feel as if I can understand you. Regardless, I can see you have an affinity for this job. You’re a great analyst.”
She peered at Alex as if trying to see into her thoughts. Alex found herself looking away in discomfort. Who was Kaely Quinn? She’d never met anyone quite like her. She was starting to get a little freaked out.
“That’s where your problem with germs started,” Kaely said.
“Yes, I know.” She gave Kaely a wry smile. “I have the same training you do.”
