the great war, spencer reid [ 2 ]

058. the dance of love

"Muriel Gource, 47, of Chicago, Illinois, was found dead last night, stabbed once in the back." Penelope informs.

"The night before, 24 year old Amanda Corliss was discovered in her apartment." Emily says. "She had also been stabbed in the back. Same red rose in the mouth."

"No sign of robbery or break ins." Penelope says. "Despite their being a lot of neighbors, nobody heard a peep."

"You know, roses are traditionally a symbol of passion and love. This unsub could be connected to these victims romantically." Spencer says.

"Or maybe he wanted to be and this is what happened when things didn't work out." Luke suggests.

"Neither victim showed evidence of sexual assault." Tara says. "And there is a dramatic difference in age between the two victims."

"Muriel Gourse's body was discovered by her husband. There was also a carton of cigarettes burning in their oven." Emily says.

"That's an unusual signature." Spencer says. "Anything like that with Amanda?"

"No." Penelope shakes her head.

"It feels like a message, but what?" Matt questions. "And to whom?"

"So we've got no forcible entry, minimal resistance, and no cries for help." JJ says. "I'd say there's a good chance these women knew the killer."

"And with two victims on consecutive nights, we can't wait till morning. Wheels up in 30." Emily states.

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"Isn't there a dance where the couple holds roses between their teeth?" Matt asks. "It's the tango, right?"

"That's actually a common misconception." Spencer states. "Rudolph Valentino did it while dancing the tango in the 1921 film Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, but the authentic Argentinian dance doesn't involve a rose or any other flowers, for that matter."

"Leave some space on that board." Emily says, walking over. "A third victim was just discovered. Stabbed in the back, red rose in her mouth, just like the others."

"So much for a cooling off period." Matt comments.

"Spence, you and JJ go to the new crime scene." Emily says. "Luke and Tara are with the M.E. now. Matt, B, Muriel Gourse's husband is on his way in. You two talk to him, see if he knows something we don't."

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"Talked to Steven Gourse." Matt tells Spencer and Emily as he and Bedelia walk into the room the two are in. "Confirmed both he and Muriel are nonsmokers but admitted his wife would sneak a cigarette every once in a while, usually late at night. She suffered from insomnia."

"Was it possible she hid them in the oven?" Spencer asks.

"She knew her husband was wise to her, and plus Steven said the brand wasn't even the kind she smoked." Bedelia says.

"Another thing. None of Amanda's friends remember ever seeing her wearing the necklace that was found on her body." Emily says. "She liked high end jewelry, and that necklace was cheap."

"Maybe the unsub brought it with him, like he did the alcohol with Rita and the cigarettes with Muriel." Spencer says.

"It could be his own unique form of sadism." Emily says. "Not only did he dispense physical pain, but at the moment of death, he inflicted a psychological wound as well."

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"Gotta be over 100 radio stations in Chicago." Luke says.

"106 if you count high frequency outlets located within the city's listening range." Spencer says