Working the Case

11

♥︎𝙴𝚟𝚒𝚎♥︎

The file slams harshly into the wooden table. I stare down at it, not bothering to flinch or even look up at Adler.

"Nothing." Adler scowls. "Absolutely nothing." He shakes his head.

It's been three days since our killer has done anything around here. He's gone dormant and we have nothing.

It's surprising, really. We've solved harder cases faster than this one. I mean, it's a small town with just a couple of thousand of people. You'd think we'd be able to pick out the one serial killer out of the bunch.

But we've got nothing.

"We've exhausted every source we've got." Jennings shakes her head at Adler. "It's time to think about a traveling killer." She suggests. "Maybe he isn't even from here."

"But he knew the women." Beckett argues immediately. "He had to have to get them to follow him."

"Charm." Jennings offers on a shrug.

"We profiled that he isn't good with women. He doesn't have any charm to work with." I drag my hand through my hair with a sigh.

"Maybe we need to reevaluate." Mills suggests. "I agree with Holly." She declares. "At this point, it seems more likely that he's not a resident at all."

"We should start looking into murders in the area in the last few years." Jennings suggests.

"But that would suggest he has experience." I reason. "He doesn't profile as organized. These are all blitz attacks. Even with the last woman, the positioning of the body seemed like an afterthought." I shrug and lean back in my seat.

"All right, all right," Adler shakes his head and takes a step back from the table. "It's unlikely he's not new to this." He decides.

Which is true. The crime scenes are too unorganized. I'd be real surprised if it turned out he's done this before.

"But," Adler continues just as Jennings drops her shoulders in defeat. "I want Jennings and Mills to follow this theory. Call Coleman and get him to look into murders that fit the MO of our guy within..." He pauses and glances at the ceiling. "We said he's in his early to mid-thirties, so let's say in the last five years."

"Yes, Sir." Jennings nods immediately and shares a little look with Mills.

"I want us to stay on the residents of this town." Adler looks back at Beckett and I. "Beckett, I want you to walk me through that trail you said was behind the first dumpsite."

"All right." Beckett nods slowly, trying not to be reluctant.

"Hopkins, I need you to explore what you can around the area. We need to talk to as many people as we can to reevaluate who we need to look into. This is a small town, but not small enough that we have such a short list of those with short tempers."

"Got it." I accept. Beckett beside me is already getting up to put his jacket on, getting ready to leave. He sends me a dreadful look. I shrug at him.

"Hopkins," Adler sighs as I start getting up. I pause to look at him. "Take Finn Balker with you." He orders.

I stare. "Finn?"

Adler wears a dreadful expression. "He said he knows everyone, hm?" He coaxes. I nod slowly. "I want you to take him with you. Keep an eye on him too. Get a better feel for his behavior."

Ah. I get it.

"Sir, he is not our—"

"Take him with you." Adler dismisses me and begins walking around me to get to the door. Beckett is right behind him but pauses to nudge my arm with his elbow before he goes.