Love On The Field - Spencer Reid x Reader

PART XI

“St. Louis is in trouble.” JJ said as the team gathered at the conference room after receiving a new case. Everyone sat around the round table listening carefully as the information on it was disclosed for them.

“They've got two serial killers.” Hotchner said.

“This killer abducts his victims from public places, dumps them in the woods. They consulted us months ago after the third murder.” Gideon commented, remembering one of the profiles.

“Well, now it might be up to six.” JJ stated pinning a photograph to the board. “Ellen Carroll's been missing since yesterday. The first two victims were found near Mill Creek in Mark Twain National Forest.”

“No wonder it takes days to find the bodies. The forest is 1.5 million acres, and 78,000 of that's wilderness.” Reid commented looking into it.

“What's the story with these women?” Hotchner asked pointing towards the second group of victims.

“Eight victims. All prostitutes. The latest is Marci Mitchell. She was killed last night with a 44 Magnum.” JJ listed.  “All are tied to a serial shooter claiming responsibility. He's contacted Jim Meyers, a reporter at the Missouri Herald.”

“So he's not getting the attention he thinks he deserves.” Y/N stated.

“He signs it the ‘Hollow Man’. Names himself for the press.” Hotchner added.

“Why Hollow Man? What, does he feel empty inside or something?” Derek questioned.

“He uses hollow point bullets.” JJ explained. “No one even knew this guy existed until he sent this letter.”

“Well, he's killed more victims, but they're all social outcasts who never make the front page. Most of his victims go unnoticed because of this.” Y/N said looking at the victims' profiles.

“When Mill Creek kills, the Hollow Man shoots another prostitute.” Reid commented.

“So one doesn't want to be outdone by the other. Sounds like sibling rivalry to me.” Derek said exposing his first hypothesis.

“They've been killing independently of each other for a year now.” Hotchner told him.

“With each killer learning something from the other.” Gideon added.

After a brief flight, the team found themselves in St. Louis already split into different tasks around the city. Gideon and Morgan talked with Ellen Carroll’s husband. Hotchner and Reid visited the shooter's victims’ families. And JJ met Jim Meyers, the reporter the 'Hollow Man’ had contacted.

Y/N was supposed to be the one to set everything up at the local police department, and take a look at the letter the shooter had sent said reporter for handwriting analysis and psycholinguistics, but her task had suddenly been interrupted as Ellen Carroll’s body had been reported found. As priorities had shifted, she was sent into the crime scene to investigate further while she waited for Gideon and Derek to join her.

“Agents Gideon, Morgan, Y/L/N. This is Agent Sheridan.” JJ said meeting them also at the crime scene.

“Hey, how are you? Forgive the gloves.” Gideon said greeting him, but unable to shake his hand.

“How far is the abduction site from these woods?” Derek asked staring at the body.

“About 40 miles or so.” Y/N answered kneeling beside it.

“He tried to hide her pretty well.” Derek commented.

“He covered the body very carefully. Must feel remorse for killing them.” Agent Sheridan observed.