"There are three kinds of folks who sit around thinking about how to become a murderer: psychopaths, profilers and mystery writers.
I'm the kind that pays better"
JJ stood at the front of the BAU bullpen, a screen behind her displaying gruesome crime scene photos. "We've got a series of unusual murders in the same area," she began, "no sexual violence, but each crime has distinct, bizarre staging."
Garcia chimed in, "The first victim was a naked woman with gunshot wounds covered by flowers. The second, a young girl stabbed and floating in a pool. It gets weirder from there."
As the team discussed the details, Spencer's eyes widened. "Wait, those crime scenes are straight out of the books 'Flowers for Your Grave' and 'Death of a Prom Queen' by Adrienne Castle."
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He quickly moved closer to Penelope, "Garcia, can you pull up the transcripts for those books?" Spencer cited exact chapters, pages, and paragraphs where the murders were detailed. The team exchanged glances as it dawned on them – a copycat killer was reenacting scenes from Adrienne Castle's novels.
Morgan smirked, "Reid, since when did you start reading crime fiction? I thought you were all about classics and academic stuff."
Spencer shot back, "It's called broadening one's horizons, Morgan."
Hotch interjected, "Enough banter. We need to know more about Adrienne Castle. Garcia, dig into her background."
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While Hotch speaks, Castle's profile is already screened. Garcia continued, "Adrienne Castle, folks. Awarded crime novelist, looks like a supermodel-rockstar combo if you ask me. Daughter of a 90s romcom actor, a true 'it girl' in elite society. Published her first novel in college, and now she's a bestseller with the Storm Book Series."
Rossi let out a low whistle, "Well, well. Damn you, Reid, for broadening your horizons."
Hotch focused on the information. "We need to talk to her. Find out if she can help us understand this copycat's motive."
——
Adrienne found herself in the glitzy atmosphere of a bestseller award party in LA. The crowd erupted in applause as her publicists (and ex-boyfriend) delivered glowing speeches about her achievements, painting her as a literary sensation.
