willow, criminal minds [ 1 ]

027. annihilator

"Last night in St. Louis, 4 roommates were killed in a rental home in what police are calling a robbery turned homicide." Penelope informs.

"It's brutal." Luke comments.

"Yeah. Looks like the two sides of his brain were fighting with each other." Matt says. "Left side wanted to rob the place, the right side wanted to cause some destruction."

"Yeah, but both sides got exactly what they wanted." Rossi says.

"What was taken?" Spencer asks.

"Nothing traceable. A computer, tablets, cash, jewelry, and the like." Penelope says.

"How long was it before local PD called us in?" Molly asks.

"They didn't." Linda Barnes states, marching in. Molly clenches her jaw at the woman's presence. "I called and offered our services to them, because this is exactly the kind of case the BAU takes from here on." She declares, sitting down.

"Maybe it's just me, but I need a little help understanding our new case selection criteria." Rossi says.

"We want cases with good optics that are also quick and easy to clear." Barnes states. "Here we have four victims, young upstanding professionals, all of whom the public can emotionally invest in." Molly narrows her eyes at the woman. "The crime itself is contained, and the motive appears to be determined."

"The M.O. is pretty straightforward." JJ says. "Their hands and mouths were duct taped and they were stabbed repeatedly."

"I see the unsub left a knife. Were there any prints?" Matt asks.

"Negative." Penelope says.

"With this many victims, it could be a team." Luke says.

"Right. Shouldn't rule it out." Spencer says.

"You're right. Okay. Wheels up in 20." JJ says.

"Meet you on the tarmac." Barnes says as they all stand up. The team glance between each other.

"You're going into the field with us?" Tara asks.

"Yes." Barnes nods.

"No offense, but you're not a profiler." Rossi says.

"True, but I have worked in the field, and a fresh set of eyes might be useful." Barnes says.

"I don't think we really need--"

"I know you think I'm the enemy, but I'm not." Barnes cuts Molly off making the younger woman clench her jaw. "I can be your greatest advocate if you'd let me. Now, you've had some poor leadership in the past," Molly scoffs and gives her an incredulous look. "But I know I can help right this ship."

"No. You're wrong." Spencer states. "Emily Prentiss is not a poor leader. She defined what a unit chief should be. I'm not going to stand here and let you destroy her career like this. If you're going, I'm not." He walks out.

"You know, the kid looks a little flush." Rossi comments. "Needs a sick day, don't you think?"

"Anybody else need a sick day?" Barnes asks. Molly rolls her lips into her mouth, doing her best not to snap at the woman. "Good. Then as Agent Jareau said, wheels up in 20." She walks out.

"Okay." JJ says. "Come on, guys, we still have a job to do. These people deserve justice."

+++

"So each of the four victims were in their early 20s and rented a room from a house owned by an AGM Properties. Looks like they were a nameless, faceless landlord." JJ says.