To Solve

Chapter 32: Doubt

Just before landing, Parker put their notebook away. They tapped Spencer, who had fallen asleep after JJ told them about the case.

It was urgent, so the team met directly at the jet. Where were they going? Flagstaff in Arizona.

JJ was the first to exit the jet and greeted Detective Griffith, who was already waiting for the FBI agents.

"Jim Griffith," the man introduced himself.

"Hi, Jennifer Jareau. Thanks for meeting us here."

"Thanks for taking this on so quickly."

"Yeah, the faster we get here, the faster we can help stave off panic."

"I hear that."

"What can you tell us about the university?" asked Spencer.

"It's small, tight-knit. Dorms are still single-sex. It draws from all over the country, but students are mostly the arty type."

"Have you increased uniform presence on campus?" Derek wanted to know.

"Yeah. Doubled it," explained Derektiv Griffith.

"Any other measures?"

"I've got security shuttles running 24/7, and, as of tonight, I've imposed a 10:00 curfew."

"We need a corner of your precinct so we can set up shop," said Hotch.

"You've got it. Do you need to get to the hotel first?"

"No. Spree killings in a confined area are a race. He's racing to kill as many as he can. We're racing to stop him."

~~

Parker and the others barely left the airport when Derektiv Griffith got a call– there was another victim, a young woman with brown hair.

Derek, Gideon and JJ accompanied the detective to the crime scene while the others drove to the police station.

The next morning, Parker and Emily headed to the coroner's office.

"Did the other victims have this much overkill?" asked Parker.

"Death was caused by a single, very forceful stab wound to the heart," summarized the coroner.

"Yeah, he broke through the breastbone."

"And after that he just lashed out at random."

"Well, no defensive wounds. She didn't even hold her hands up to fight him off," Emily said as she and Parker looked at the victim's hands.

"The first two victims were the same."

"Did you run toxicology screens?" Parker wanted to know.

"None of the others were drugged. Considering that she was standing, waiting for a shuttle, my guess is, she wasn't either."

Emily went outside while Parker was still waiting for the report.

They thanked the man and followed their colleague outside.

The dark-haired woman sighed and put her phone back in her jacket.

"Something wrong?" Parker asked.

They opened the car door and sat in the passenger seat.

Emily got behind the wheel first before answering: "No, not really. Someone just wanted to sell me insurance– again."

She drove off and changed the subject.

~~

Emily and Parker met Gideon, Hotch, and Derek at the police station where they were about to present the profile.