Soulmates

Chapter 57- Escalation and hidden secrets

Trigger Warnings: Talks of sexual assault, torture, fear, Stalking,  mentions child abuse, and child molestation. The whole chapter's a trigger warning.

 It was now early in the evening, after sunset. Ryan, Morgan, Reid, and Hotch watched as Janet Winger was loaded into the corners van. Rossi had talked to the medical examiner, and after they finished loading Winger into the van, Rossi walked over to them. "Coroner said she was dead for at least 50 minutes to an hour before we arrived." Rossi informed. 

 The others sighed and shook their heads. "He must have killed her right after he hung up with Rhonda." Ryan deduced. Morgan shook his head, "Who the is this guy? He was ten steps ahead of us." He asked and said. "Whoever this unsub is, he planned this whole thing out. From the victims, getting near Rhonda's son to calling her, that shows high organization." Reid said.

 "The thing that gets me is that he doesn't seem upset by the fact that she's come to us. Stalkers usually don't like it when their victims include the police." Rossi made the point. Hotch shook his head, "We can't think of this case in normal stalker terms." He said. 

"Everything this guy has done has been cold, calculated, and high risk." Ryan said. "We're not just dealing with someone obsessed with another person. We're dealing with a multifaceted, psychotic, sadistic serial killer." He added. "Who sees this whole thing as a power game." He added. "And a game of vengeance." Morgan said. "Remember when he said McFarland started this first?" He asked.

 Hotch nodded, "So chances are Miss McFarland has run into the unsub at some point." He said, contemplating. "But wouldn't she have told us if she had an idea of who it could be?" Reid asked. Rossi shrugged, "She didn't report the postcards until the second one came." He pointed out. Ryan hummed, "Doesn't automatically mean she's holding something else back," He said. 

 "Maybe. Maybe not, but it does beg the question if there's something else she's not telling us." Hotch said. He then looked at the others, "I want her background triple checked. Quietly." He said. Morgan nodded and took out his phone, "I'll get Garcia on it." He said and walked away. 

Ryan gave Hotch a look, "You really think we might find the unsub by going through Rhonda's bio?" He asked. He wasn't comfortable with doing this behind Rhonda's back. Hotch gave Ryan a look back, "We don't know what it will turn up, but we need to look into everything." He said. 

At that moment, Prentiss started coming back down to the group, They all noticed as she walked up next to Ryan. "What'd you find out?" Hotch asked. Emily shook her head, "After asking around and talking to security, all I've been able to find out is that there are multiple entrances to this park that the unsub could've used. Also, apparently, no one saw anything." Emily said with frustration in her voice. 

"That's not really surprising. This park is over 1,754 acres. The unsub probably knew the time and place where this place wouldn't really be busy." Reid said. "So that means he knows the area." Rossi said. "So he's local, probably grew up in DC." Ryan added. "He also has to have means of transportation if he could go to Wilmington, Annapolis to kill two people." Emily made the point. 

Hotch after contemplating looked up, "We need to deliver the profile." They all nodded. 

-

They arrived back at the BAU, where it was bustling with activities of other agents, units, and officers, who were getting ready to hear the profile. JJ was in the middle of the bullpen, "Where's Miss McFarland?" Hotch asked. JJ sighed, "She's in the bathroom. When I told her about Janet, she kinda bolted in there and emptied her stomach." She informed. 

The team winced at this information, "Yikes." Emily commented. JJ nodded, "I asked her if there was anything I could do, and she said she just wanted to be alone." She added. Ryan nodded, "She's been through a lot today. It's probably best to just let her process." He said. "We'll give her a minute as we give the profile." Hotch said.