deep end, cm [ 1 ]

039. distress

"This is Houston's fifth ward. It accounts for a large percent of the city's growing homicide rate, due to gang violence and a bustling narcotics trade." JJ says. "Although in the last 48 hours, there have been three distinctive murders in the ward."

"Distinctive?" Derek asks.

"Three men, three different socioeconomic groups, all killed on the street with their necks snapped. There appears to be no other injury, and there's no apparent connection between the victims or motive." JJ says.

Everybody looks over Spencer walks in, sipping on his coffee. Jessica watches him glance around as he takes the empty seat between her and Hotch, not saying a single word. JJ clears her throat.

Jessica stares at him with squinted eyes, studying his appearance.

"The ward's detectives are inundated with homicides. Gang violence is a big problem. Shootings, armed robberies, it's an every day occurrence, but this type of street attack is new to them." JJ says.

"Could it be gang related, maybe some new type of initiation rite?" Emily asks.

"The gangs in the wards use guns. In fact, no known gangs exhibit this type of M.O." JJ says.

"What about dope?" Derek asks. "These guys come up with pretty freaky ways of killing the competition to get their message out."

"Yeah, but there just doesn't seem to be any connection between the victims and the drug world." JJ says,

"Homeless man, a construction worker... security guard." Gideon lists.

"Just three dead men and no witnesses." JJ says.

"We're looking for a homicidal serial criminal in a neighborhood populated by criminals. The challenge will be separating him from the rest." Hotch says.

"We have no evidence, no apparent interaction between the unsub and the victims pre or post-mortem, and an indistinguishable M.O. Should be simple." Spencer quips.

~ ~ ~

After Hotch calls wheels up in 20 minutes, Jessica immediately follows Spencer, the two going all the way to the bathrooms.

"Hey." Jessica calls just before Spencer can go in. 

"What?" Spencer asks.

"You. That's what's up." Jessica says.

"What?" Spencer asks again.

"Are you still on dilaudid?" Jessica asks.

"What the--" Spencer's eyes widen, glaring at her, but she notices the panic. "Are you freaking nuts?"

"No. No, I'm not, actually. Especially based off your look." Jessica says.

"You're insane." Spencer hisses, storming into the bathroom. Without even thinking, Jessica follows him.

"And you're on drugs." She retorts.

"This is the men's bathroom." Spencer says.

"Who cares." Jessica rolls her eyes. Spencer quickly makes sure the room is empty.

"Jess, enough."

"No. No, you're definitely still on drugs." Jessica says.

"What are you even talking about?" Spencer groans.

"You're super fidgety, you're rude, your personality does a 180 every hour, you're calling me insane, and you're late. Not to mention sluggish, almost never letting me spend the night. I know these symptoms, Spence. I recognize them. It went under the radar a little bit because of added in PTSD you have, but I can recognize addiction."