Mean Something (Jemily)

Chapter 31 - Victim (Emily POV)

The next morning Garcia came to us with news of a new victim. Found in another empty warehouse a few miles from the original, wounds to the chest and abdomen and then left on a mattress to die. The crime scene was set up just the same as the last, everything seemingly placed with a purpose around the body. I was joined by Rossi, Reid and Luke at the crime scene as JJ and Tara went to talk to the first victims family. Garcia had been able to identified her using dental records sometime late last night. The newest victim was easier to identify, her description was an easy match to a girl on the national missing persons database. Even with being considered a missing person, she was also well known around town. The head officer referred to her as local, homeless and a prostitute. "She's much younger than our first victim," Luke stated reading over the file from the back of the SUV. "She was a victim of opportunity, her physical features don't match the first women either." Reid added "So we can rule out the physical appearance being a factor in the murders, as well as social class. The first victim was defiantly a riskier choice, deliberate. Our second victim seems like one of opportunity." Rossi stated throwing the vehicle into park as we arrived at the crime scene.

Walking into a fresh crime scene wasn't pleasant, I had to hold my breath slightly when the smell of blood hit my nose. Somethings you never got used to on this job, and the smell of fresh blood was one of them. The paramedics we're waiting on us before moving the body under our direction since Reid didn't have a chance to see the first crime scene in its complete, original condition. He thought we could work his theory further if we were able to see this one untouched. I caught Reid standing solid as a statue staring down at the photos laying at the victims feet. "Were they like this when you arrived?" he asked questioning an officer. The officer nodded "Haven't touched a thing." "Reid, what are you thinking?" I asked. The young agent turned to me "These photos are repeating, it's not an accident more like a code." "A code?" This kid always surprised me "Yes. Give me your phone." I hesitated before handing over my phone, watching confused as he opened my photo gallery scanning for resemblances of the photos in front of me. "Does anyone have a pen and paper?" He asked loudly. Seconds later her was pacing jotting down numbers and letters onto the sheets.

"I got it." "You've got what kid?" Rossi inquired. "The Unsubs trying to send a message. The photos were taken on dates that when converted using the common A=1, B=2 code it spells out..." he stopped talking to scribble the words out on his note pad turning it to us 'vous me voyez' "This can be translated from to French to English and in this context likely means..." "Do you see me." I interjected. "He was likely feeling ignored after yesterday. He's been doing all of this work to grab our attention and us blatantly ignoring him is causing him to spiral as Tara suspected he would." Luke added. "The Unsubs decisions are only going to become more hectic. He's going to start feeling like he's losing control and will do anything to regain that feeling." "We need to deliver the profile." I said motioning the others into the car, sending a quick text to JJ and Tara asking them to meet us back at the station as soon as they were finished.

It was now late in the evening, the sun barely hanging over the horizon by the time we narrowed down the profile into a digestible chunk of information. Standing in the large front room of the station we delivered our profile as officers crowded around us. "We're looking for a white man who's likely in his late 30's to early 40's, physically fit and intelligent." I started "It's possible he displays symptoms of OCPD, among other mental illnesses, this would include showing an extreme need for perfection and relentless control over their environment and interpersonal relationships." Reid added. "He may have a hard time expressing empathy, and we have reasons to believe he's not from originally from the area, or travels frequently." JJ said pulling her suspicions from the Unsubs photos of us. "He wouldn't be socially awkward; and you likely wouldn't suspect him at first. He'd be a clean well put together man, and that's why we're asking you all to up your patrols... Especially in areas where you know women may frequent alone. The exact look of his victims do not seem to be a factor in his choices."

We finished the profile, dismissing the officers. We all stood around for second and I caught JJ's eyes "You okay?" "I'm fine. I think I'm going to get some fresh air." She stated. I laid my hand on her lower back "You want me to come with?" she smiled looking up at me "No, I'm going to call Henry but thank you. I'll be right back." I watched the blonde leave out the front doors "Hey! Em, can you look at this?" Spencer asked walking over to me pulling my attention away from JJ.