deep end, cm [ 1 ]

026. the aftermath

Jessica, Spencer, and Elle are in the little kitchen are, it late at night and they're one of the few there. 

"Doesn't anybody go home?" Gideon asks, walking over.

"You're here." Elle points out.

"Exactly." Gideon says. "Trust me, you don't want to model your social life around mine."

"Too late for Reid." Jessica teases, earning a frown of confusion from the said man.

"If it makes you feel any better, Hotch and Morgan took off." JJ says, walking in,

"Hotch is married. Morgan's, you know, Morgan." Spencer says making Jessica quietly laugh.

"What's this?" Gideon asks, looking at the files JJ drops onto the table.

"Police in Dayton, Ohio need our help with a serial rapist." JJ informs. 

"What's the story?" Elle asks.

"Three months ago, he raped five students at a small Bible college." JJ says. "Roughly, an attack a week, then suddenly nothing, until nine days ago when he suddenly reappeared with a whole new victim pattern. Both those women are in their 30s. They were raped about five days apart."

"Where have the new attacks taken place?" Gideon asks.

"Opposite ends of the city." JJ says. "He was waiting for them when they got home." She informs, quickly looking at Elle and glancing at Jessica. Spencer immediately looks between the two women. He sets his gaze on Jessica, watching her bite the inside of her cheek.

"How do we know it's the same guy?" Elle asks.

"He leaves voicemails for them." JJ states.

"Freezing them with fear before they even see him." Spencer says. 

"They don't recognize the voice?" Gideon asks.

"No. Cops even have DNA, but it's just not in the system." JJ says.

"Why would someone attacking college students suddenly widen his net?" Gideon questions.

"Serial rapists hardly ever change victimology once it's established." Spencer says. "It's based on a fantasy that's very specific."

"Maybe he's telling these women that no one's safe." Elle says.

"Call Hotch and Morgan. Tell them wheels up as soon as we're cleared to take off." Gideon says.

"Yes, sir." JJ nods, walking out and Gideon goes back to his office.

+++

They're on the jet and Jessica is twirling the ends of her hair around her fingers, staring off into space, completely zoned out.

"You tend to forget, don't you?" Hotch asks.

"What?" Gideon asks.

"All the different moods on the plane. I think the mindset's different when the victims are still alive." Hotch says.

"Okay, we got new information on last night's victim." JJ says, walking over, the movement snapping Jessica out of her state. "Alicia Jordan, 38, M.O. is the same. He was waiting for her to get home, he broke in through the back, subdued her with a gun."

"Answering machine?" Hotch asks.

"Left a message an hour or so before." JJ states. "I can't imagine being taunted like that in my own house, you know?"

"Well, the messages aren't even taunts... they're overtures." Gideon says. "I think we're ready, trust me. He's being sincere."

"Sounds like we're dealing with a power reassurance rapist." Derek says.