Shadow Of Hearts (Emily Prentiss X OC)

Chapter 51: The Miller Case

The night had settled in, a thick blanket of darkness covering the city as the BAU raced against time. Emily could feel the tension in the air, a palpable force that gripped her chest as the SUV sped through the empty streets, sirens wailing. Hotch was at the wheel, his jaw set in a determined line, while Morgan sat in the passenger seat, scanning the streets with eagle eyes.

In the back, Emily sat next to Echo, their hands brushing briefly before they stepped into the bullpen.

Echo's presence was a steadying force, a reminder that they were in this together. The thought of losing another child, another innocent life snuffed out by the cruelty of a monster, was unbearable.

"Garcia, what do we know about the new victim?" Hotch's voice cut through the silence, the Bluetooth speaker crackling to life.

Garcia's voice came through, filled with an urgency that matched their own. "The victim is a nine-year-old boy, Jacob Miller. He was last seen by his parents at around 7:30 PM when they put him to bed. By the time they checked on him at 8:30, he was gone. No signs of forced entry, just like the others."

Emily's mind raced, piecing together the details. "The parents' names?"

"Laura and Tom Miller," Garcia replied. "They moved to Fairfax three months ago. Tom works in tech, Laura's a stay-at-home mom. No criminal history, no known enemies."

"Anything about their past that stands out?" Echo asked, her voice steady despite the rising tension.

"Not much," Garcia said. "They've moved around a bit due to Tom's job, but nothing unusual. The only thing that sticks out is that they lived in the same town as Ethan Carter about ten years ago."

Emily's heart sank. "The unsub's been following these families for years. He's been watching them, waiting for the right moment to strike."

Hotch's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "Garcia, do we have any leads on where the unsub might have taken Jacob?"

"Not yet," Garcia admitted. "I've got every camera in the area pulling footage, but it's going to take time to sift through it all."

"We don't have time," Morgan muttered, his frustration seeping through.

Emily understood his sentiment all too well. Every second that passed was a second closer to losing Jacob. The unsub was meticulous, methodical-he wouldn't leave anything to chance. They needed to find him, and fast.

As they approached the Miller residence, the scene was eerily familiar. Yellow police tape cordoned off the area, and the front lawn was bathed in the harsh glare of flashing lights. Officers were speaking with the parents, who looked pale and distraught, their eyes wide with fear and confusion.

Hotch parked the SUV, and the team quickly exited the vehicle. Emily's heart pounded as they approached the house, her senses on high alert. She could feel the eyes of the neighbors on them, the weight of their unspoken fears pressing down.

They were the ones who had to make this right. They were the last hope.

"Agent Hotchner, Agent Morgan," the lead detective greeted them, his face lined with worry. "We've got officers canvassing the neighborhood, but so far, no one's seen anything out of the ordinary."

"Have the Millers been questioned?" Hotch asked, his voice sharp.

"We've gotten their initial statements," the detective replied. "They're inside now, trying to keep it together."

"We need to talk to them," Hotch said, already moving toward the house. Emily and Echo followed closely, their minds focused on what they needed to do.

Inside, the house was a picture of devastation. Toys were scattered across the living room floor, remnants of a childhood interrupted. Laura Miller sat on the couch, her hands trembling as she clutched a stuffed animal-Jacob's, no doubt. Tom Miller stood nearby, his face a mask of disbelief and fear.