safe inside, criminal minds [ 1 ]

023. fate

"3 bodies have been found in Reston, Virginia, each violently stabbed, then posed, about a week apart." Penelope says, putting the images on the screen. "The first two, Kevin Brown and Rick Mendoza, were murdered in their homes. The third one, Jessica Randall, was killed in her hair salon last night."

"Bold and brutal. So what did the first two victims do?" Kate asks.

"Kevin worked at a hardware store. Rick was an auto mechanic." Penelope informs.

"Maybe the unsub's a customer." Spencer suggests. "We should check appointment logs."

"Already did that." Penelope says.

"Well, gender isn't a factor. They could all be victims of opportunity." Derek says.

"Did they live near each other?" Danielle asks.

"3 miles apart." Penelope answers.

"They still could have been strangers." Rossi says.

"Both homes were broken into through a back window. Washington field isn't sure the unsub got into the salon." Hotch says.

"It's high risk. Maybe we're looking at a drug addict?" Kate suggests.

"But nothing was  stolen. And he took the time to re-dress the victims." Rossi says.

"Strange. The unsub stabbed the victims in their original clothing and then found clean ones to put them in." Spencer says.

"Yeah, they fit well. Maybe he brought the new ones with him." JJ says.

"Or he could have taken them from their homes." Hotch adds.

"So the unsub took the clothes the victims were wearing as trophies." Derek says.

"They weren't found on the scene. It could be a ritual." Hotch says.

"Or the unsub gets high on the kill, then comes down, feels remorse." Danielle counters.

"The time between kills is decreasing, suggesting the unsub's emboldened and getting better at victim acquisition." Spencer says.

"Then the after effects of the killing would either exacerbate his guilt or cause him to strike out again soon." Hotch says.

+++

"All right, victimology. From what we can tell, the victims' lives didn't intersect." Hotch says.

"Since one worked at a hardware store and the others at a body shop and a hair salon, maybe he's targeting local businesses." Derek suggests.

"Or our unsub's the common thread." JJ says.

"I cross checked patrons. There's no overlap." Penelope says.

"He might have paid cash." Derek says.

"We should check security footage." Rossi says.

"But there's no obvious vulnerability or desirability component to the unsub's selection criteria." Spencer says.

"But the brutality was the same." Kate says. "Over a dozen stab wounds in each victim. This feels personal."

"Yeah, there's definitely overkill and rage." JJ says.

"Well, there wouldn't have been time between the kills for planning or surveillance." Hotch says.

"Maybe our unsub knew the victims and this is a vendetta?" Kate inquires.

"Well, if that's the case, we need to find the nexus between these victims. There'll be a Washington Field agent to meet you when you arrive." Hotch tells them.