Agent Severide

Chapter 12

21st District Police Department, Chicago Illinois

"The unsub we're looking for is a woman, She's a collector, it's a psychopathology similar to hoarding," Hotch said starting to brief the local officers and the Intelligence team on the profile they made based on the victimology and behaviour of the unsub. "So when we say collector, we're not talking about stamps or baseball cards. It's not what your kids or even you, might pursue as a normal hobby," Rossi said as many officers and detectives wrote what they were saying down. "This is an attachment to objects, that's become obsessive, by someone who is antisocial, and extremely introverted," Hotch says adding to the profile. "These people attach a part of themselves to their collection, If you try to separate them from it or take it away from them they will react violently, even psychotically," Prentiss said. "They have suffered damage to their prefrontal cortex, that's the part of the brain that regulates basic Freudian fantasy-reality. They can still function, drive a car, go to work, even do their taxes" Reid spoke. 

"In fact, she excels at goal-oriented jobs, like the precision of sewing or the details of abduction," Morgan said sadly thinking about their last victim that just turned up with a wig sewn into her scalp. The image made his gut twist wondering about what this woman was doing to Zoey. "But they lost their ability to categorize the difference between living and dead, belonging and loss, that has been irreparably destroyed," Reid said. "So what is she collecting? Woman?" Detective Dawson was the one to ask. "Actually we think she's collecting dolls" Rossi replied. 

"Well, technically replacing them, we believe she lost the originals sometime within the last 3 months and this is what served as her stressor " Reid adds, "She searched for a replacement, and when she couldn't find them. She started abducting the closest possible surrogate" Rossi said. "Woman of different ethnicities, but a similar physicality," Prentiss spoke this time. "The drug-induced paralysis is part of the fantasy," Morgan said "She puts her victims in a position where they can't talk back, so she can fetishize them like the objects she lost," Prentiss said continuing what Morgan was saying. 

"Umm look, I respect your analysis but 6 women have been abducted including one of my best friends, 3 of these women are dead. And you're telling us this boils down to dolls?" Detective Dawson spoke the anger clear in his voice. "This unsub stitched a wig onto the scalp of her latest victim, It's a technique used to attach hair to porcelain dolls," Prentiss replied, "And keep in mind collectors and serial killers do share certain traits, A lot of serial killers take trophies, attaching the same significance to them, that this collector does to objects," Reid added continuing onto her point, "But this unsub's intent isn't violence. She needs this collection to be complete, so she can feel in control of her life, probably to overcome some trauma she experienced," Rossi said adding to their profile. "She really only feels that control, when the collection is complete, which is why she's repeating an abduction pattern with living victims, if she loses a doll, or in this case. If she loses a woman who represents a doll, she has to replace it" Reid said. "Then why did the unsub go off pattern to abduct Zoey?" Detective Halstead asks beginning to get frustrated as to why everyone was sitting here talking rather than out looking for this really sick woman. 

The BAU agents exchanged looks for a moment, "We think that something about Zoey's appearance made her go off script. She's petite, in shape, and fairly attractive. Fits our unsubs victimology" Prentiss said. "This woman works alone. We know she has medical training, look for murses aids, or orderlies who were fired for a lack of social graces. She can't fake a bedside manner," Hotch says getting back on track with their profile. 

"We believe she's currently working as a tailor or seamstress, and we're following those leads now. But do let us know if you notice any overlap in your suspect pools. Thank you" Pretiss said as they finished delivering their profile of who they believed the unsub is. 

Morgan sighs looking at the evidence board in front of him at all the women killed and abducted his gaze falling on his work partner of 2 years, in his head, it was his fault. he was supposed to have her back no matter what. "Hey, we're gonna find her," Reid said walking over to Morgan who was just trying his best to keep it together for Severide's sake."I was supposed to have her back Reid, and she's gone" Morgan said his voice clearly filled with disappointment "I'm gonna go over to 51 to go let Zoey's brother know she missing," Detective Dawson said walking over to the team of agents. "I should go with you, Severide's my partner. I should be the one to tell him," Morgan said trying to hide the shakiness in his voice. Hotch nodded agreeing to let them go as the two walked down the stairs and outside. 

Firehouse 51, Chicago Illinois

The drive to the firehouse was quiet as Antonio pulled over along the road parking his car before climbing out. "So how long have you known Zoey?" The detective asks as he and Morgan walk up the driveway toward the large open bay doors of the firehouse. "We've worked together every day for the last almost 3 years now" Morgan replies as they enter the apparatus floor noticing all the trucks and ambulance were gone along with the Battalion chef's car. "They must be out on a call, come on we'll go wait in Boden's office for them to get back," Antonio said before walking through a set of doors and into a hall. "How about you, how long have you known Zoey?" Morgan asks returning the question as he followed the detective down the hallway and into an office where a woman was sitting at a desk working away at paperwork. 

"Hey Connie," Antonio said catching the woman's attention, "How can I help you detective?" the woman asks looking up for a moment before continuing what she was doing. "We're looking for Kelly, it's important," Antonio said as Connie paused just looking between them. "Who's your friend and what's this about?" Connie finally asks. "I'm SSA Derek Morgan with the FBI, and we need to speak to Kelly about his sister. As soon as possible please" the agent said showing the woman his badge. "Wait in there, they should be back soon," Connie said bluntly pointing towards an empty office. 

"I've known Zoey for almost 10 years... my sister and her are best friends. They've been that way since her brother started working here," Antonio said with a smile thinking about how happy Zoey was when she was around Gabby, Kelly and Shay. Her death almost ripped both Kelly and Zoey apart, but they both managed to get through it though. Mostly throwing themselves into their work when things got difficult. Antonio thought.