Shadow Of Hearts (Emily Prentiss X OC)

Chapter 3: The Twisted Mind

As Emily and Echo left the gallery, the weight of their discovery hung between them. The crisp night air was a welcome relief after the oppressive atmosphere of the studio, but it did little to dispel the tension that had settled in Emily's chest. They were close-so close-but she couldn't shake the nagging sense that there was still something they were missing.

"That painting," Emily said as they walked to the car, her voice pensive. "It feels like the key, but why would the unsub be so obsessed with it? What's the connection?"

Echo, who had been unusually quiet, finally spoke up, her voice carrying a note of unease. "I've been thinking about that, too. There's something about the woman in the painting, the way she's posed. It's almost like she's in a trance, like she's offering herself up to something."

Emily stopped, turning to face Echo. "You think the unsub sees himself in that painting? That he's trying to recreate that moment with his victims?"

Echo nodded slowly, her dark eyes troubled. "Maybe. Or maybe he's trying to bring that moment to life. If he's performing some kind of ritual, the painting could be a guide, a blueprint for what he's doing."

The idea was chilling, but it made sense. If the unsub believed he was part of some ancient ritual, it would explain the precision of his kills, the careful staging of each crime scene. He wasn't just murdering these women-he was performing a ceremony, one that required their complete submission.

Emily's mind raced as she considered the implications. "We need to get that painting analyzed," she said, her voice firm. "There might be something in the imagery, something we haven't noticed yet that could give us more insight into what the unsub is trying to accomplish."

Echo nodded in agreement. "I'll call Garcia and have her pull any records related to the painting. We need to find out where it came from, who owned it before, and if there's any historical significance that ties it to these murders."

As they drove back to the BAU, the car was filled with the soft sound of Echo's voice as she relayed the details of their discovery to Garcia. Emily kept her eyes on the road, but her thoughts were elsewhere, swirling with possibilities and questions. What was it about that painting that had captured the unsub's mind? And more importantly, how could they use that obsession to catch him?

When they arrived at the BAU, the rest of the team was already hard at work, the atmosphere in the bullpen charged with anticipation. Reid was surrounded by stacks of books, his fingers flying over the keyboard as he searched for any mention of the painting's imagery in historical texts. Morgan and JJ were deep in conversation, their voices low as they discussed the connections between the victims, while Rossi stood at the whiteboard, jotting down notes and theories.

Garcia's voice crackled over the speakerphone as she delivered her findings. "I've traced the painting back to an estate sale about ten years ago," she said, her tone brisk. "It was originally part of a private collection owned by a family in upstate New York. The estate was liquidated after the last surviving member passed away, and the painting has changed hands a few times since then. No known ties to our victims so far, but I'm still digging."

"What about the artist?" Emily asked, leaning over the desk to speak into the phone. "Anything unusual about their work?"

Garcia hummed thoughtfully. "The artist was a woman named Eliza Morneau, late 19th century. She was known for her depictions of mystical and religious scenes, often with an unsettling, almost surreal quality. There's some speculation that she was involved in occult circles, but nothing concrete. It's possible that the painting itself has some kind of ritualistic significance."

Reid's eyes lit up as he heard Garcia's description. "Morneau's work was heavily influenced by the Symbolist movement," he said, excitement lacing his voice. "They were fascinated with the idea of hidden meanings, the connection between the material and the spiritual worlds. If our unsub is using this painting as a guide, it's likely because he believes it holds some kind of esoteric truth."

Echo frowned, her arms crossed as she considered Reid's words. "If that's the case, then we need to figure out what this 'truth' is before he kills again. The painting might hold the key to understanding his ritual, but it's also possible that it's driving him to complete whatever he thinks he's started."

The gravity of the situation settled over the room, the team exchanging tense glances as they realized just how close they were to unraveling the unsub's motives. But there was still one crucial element missing-the connection between the victims and the painting.

"Garcia, can you cross-reference the names of the previous owners with our victims?" Hotch asked, his voice calm but urgent.

"Already on it, boss," Garcia replied. "Give me a minute."

As they waited, Emily found herself once again standing beside Echo, the two of them watching the crime scene photos on the board as if they might suddenly reveal their secrets. There was a quiet intensity between them, a sense of shared purpose that felt almost palpable. Emily had worked with many agents over the years, but there was something about Echo that was different-something that went beyond their professional dynamic.

Echo must have sensed her thoughts, because she turned to Emily, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "We're going to catch him," she said, her voice quiet but full of conviction.

Emily nodded, feeling a warmth spread through her chest at Echo's words. "Yeah," she agreed, her voice soft. "We will."

Just then, Garcia's voice came through the speaker, breaking the moment. "I've got something," she said, her tone triumphant. "One of the previous owners of the painting was a woman named Claire Dubois. She's connected to the third victim-turns out they were cousins. Claire inherited the painting after their grandmother's estate was liquidated, but she sold it a few years later. The painting then went to another collector, who just so happens to have ties to the second victim. It looks like our unsub has been targeting women who are somehow connected to the painting's previous owners."

A murmur of realization rippled through the team as they digested the information. The unsub wasn't just recreating the painting's imagery-he was systematically eliminating anyone who had a connection to it.

"We need to find out who owns the painting now," Emily said, urgency creeping into her voice. "If the pattern holds, they could be the next target."

"I'm on it," Garcia replied, the sound of furious typing filling the room.

Echo turned to Emily, her expression grim. "If the unsub is as obsessed with this painting as we think, he's not going to stop until he's completed his ritual. And that means we need to get to the current owner before he does."

As the team mobilized, the tension in the room thickened. They were running out of time, and the unsub was getting closer to finishing his twisted masterpiece. Emily felt a surge of determination as she met Echo's gaze, the connection between them stronger than ever. Together, they would stop this killer, no matter what it took.

Garcia's voice crackled over the speaker once more. "Got it! The current owner is a woman named Isabelle Thornton. She's a curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. I've sent her address to your phones."

Without missing a beat, Hotch began giving orders. "Morgan, Prentiss, Echo-you're heading to New York. JJ and Reid, I need you to continue looking into Isabelle's background. Rossi and I will coordinate with the NYPD and get them up to speed."

Emily and Echo exchanged a glance, a shared understanding passing between them. They were on the brink of a major breakthrough, but the next few hours would be critical.