I really need to remove my phone number from my email signature. Usually, people are more respectful when I state that other cases have priority. But I guess no one has ever said no to Sheriff Nepotism down at Rusk County. And I can tell she acted all nice and polite on the phone in order to get what she wants. Luckly for her, no other emergency cases came in today, and since the situation there seems to be escalating I agreed that it is time for us to fly there. I just hope we resolve this one quickly and I don't have to deal with a spoiled girl for too long.
"Sir, I'm ready when you are" Garcia speaks as she appears on the laptop's screen
"Let's get started" I say.
The rest of the team gathers and each member takes a file from the table. I decided we do the briefing during the flight, hoping the sooner we get to Texas, the sooner this will be over.
"Rusk, Texas. During the last 7 years, 4 homocides took place within the County and also neighboring Counties. 7 years ago, Sarah Thompson, high school teacher, was strangled with a rope in her living room. Last year, Michael Ruiz, local mechanic, was killed in his home garage, cause of death was blunt forced trauma to the head. Last week, David Collins, grocery store owner, was drowned in his bathtub. And yesterday, Emily Harris, college student from Houston was found stabbed in an alley a few blocks away from where she was partying with her friends"
"The MO is inconsistent. Are we sure this is the same person?" Morgan asks
"Yeah, that's where it gets creepy. All victims had similar but different post-mortem carving on some part of their body" she reveals as she pulls up the images, but keeps her back to the screen.
"Still, with such inconsistencies in the MO, we either have a very intelligent unsub or multiple ones" Dave suggests
"According to the medical examiner who examined the 3 latest bodies, after inspecting the cravings on each one, she suggests that this must be the work of one person" I inform them
"Then the variation in murder methods and locations indicates adaptability and lack of a fixed pattern which will make profiling this unsub challenging" Prentiss points out
"To establish a pattern, we need to find what connects these victims in the first place. Garcia, look into the victims files for any similarities. Prentiss and Morgan will visit the latest crime scene. Reid, you try to figure out what the symbols could mean. Dave and I will head to the Sheriff's Department to set up and get started on victimology. JJ, you will come with us and explain to the deputies the importance of confidentiality" I assign everyone
"Everything has been leaked to the press or gossiped, hasn't it?" JJ assumes
"Yes" I confirm.
Despite my frustration with Sheriff Princess, I am very eager to meet her. I spent the flight watching press conferences she has held, some of which showed me that she doesn't have as big of an ego -she is not afraid to take the blame when she is at fault, she cares and she is not too proud to ask for help. Everyone talks greatly of her. But she is definitely using her -technically- attractive features and pretty smile to remain liked by everyone, and I can see her easily manipulate the narrative to get her way. I want to find out if she does that from up close too.
JJ and I arrive at the Sheriff's Department first. Dave and Reid were following close behind so they must be just a minute out. JJ and I head inside. Immediately, one of the deputies approaches.
"You must be from the FBI. I am Chief Deputy Louis Campbell" he introduces himself
"I'm SSA Hotchner, this is SSA Jareau" we shake hands
"I'm not going to lie, when Sheriff said you're coming I was expecting more than 2 people" he admits
"The rest of the team is on its way or at crime scenes already so we can cover more ground faster. Is the Sheriff here?" I ask
"No. There has been another murder" he informs us
"Already?"
"Yes, you didn't hear?"
"No, she didn't notify me" I reply. But I check my phone and see that I have a missed call from her.
"I can give you the location so you can head down there if you'd like" he suggests
"Yes, please" I reply to him and then turn to JJ, "I will take Dave with me. You and Reid proceed with your assignments" I tell her
"Alright. Chief, I would like to speak with you and the rest of the deputies for 5 minutes" she says
"Of course. This way" he leads her to the conference room as I leave.
I meet up with Dave on my way out and we head to the newest crime scene. Approaching, we see plenty of people standing behind the crime scene tape, including reporters. Thankfully, they don't have a view of the actual crime scene inside the burned down buidling. But the moment we step out of the SUV, all eyes are on us and the whispers rise. We move past everyone and we are let inside after showing our badges. A deputy leads us to the room of the crime scene; the library's basement.
"Did you give them the address?" I recognize her voice immediately, she's talking on the phone
"Yes. Two of the agents are on their way. Rossi and Hotchner, I believe" Chief Deputy replies through the phone
"Ugh, Hotchner..." she rolls her eyes
"Yeah, I'm afraid he's already here actually" I speak up.
She hangs up immediately. "Agents!" she changes immediately, "I am Sheriff Knox" she extends her hand to me as she smiles widely.
"Aaron Hotchner. This is Agent David Rossi" I reply as I shake her hand.
"Thank you for coming" she shakes hands with Dave now.
I am surpised that she isn't in uniform. Does she always come to work in jeans and a t-shirt? Her blonde hair is in a braid underneath her hat which matches the color of her cowboy boots.
"Any idea what happened here?" Dave asks, and I am reminded that there are more people in the room other than Jules Knox.
"The victim's name is Laura Perkins, she works here as a librarian. She was last seen by the members of the bookclub she hosts here every Tuesday, they reported she said goodbye to them and was getting ready to close up. But as you can probably see, she was burned severely..." she explains.
As she speaks, she keeps her eyes away from the body, like she doesn't want to look at it for longer than she has to.
"Is there a new symbol?" I ask
"Yes, it's a simple triangle this time. It's on the bottom of her foot where the fire didn't spread".
Dave moves closer to check for the symbol, and Sheriff Knox moves out of his way. Now, she stands closer to me.
"You could have told me there was another body" I say to her, keeping my voice low
"I could have if you had picked up my call" she replies
"You could have texted, and you also have my email" I remind her
"Nah, I wanted to hear your voice" she mocks.
I roll my eyes and she smiles. That moment her phone starts ringing.
"If you'd excuse me, I have to get back to my office. You take your time here" she says and walks out of the room. Dave and I stay back to check the crime scene for ourselves.
YOU ARE READING
Cowboy Like Me || Aaron Hotchner
FanfikceA series of unsolved murders in Rusk County, Texas, has Sheriff Jules Knox at her wit's end as the clues seem to point in different, confusing directions. So, despite her dislike of bureaucrats, she contacts the FBI for help. The case file ends up i...
