deep end, cm [ 1 ]

042. ashes and dust

"Two fires, two families in three weeks." JJ states. "The first family, the Jarvis', all died. Last night, the Cutlers, only one survivor, Charlotte Cutler. She's in critical condition with burns to over 60% of her body."

"Well, it's no accident. It's the same M.O. No fuses, kerosene, multiple points of origin, families targeted at home while they slept." Emily says.

"The Bay area has a serial arsonist." Hotch states.

"Statistically, 94% of all serial arsonists are male, 75% are white, and few, if any, are ever caught." Spencer says.

"Few? You don't have a percentage?" Emily asks.

"16%, and those 16% set 30 plus fires before they were ever apprehended. I'm trying to be more conversational." Spencer tells her. Jessica smiles a little.

"Oh. It's not working." Emily teases and Derek quietly laughs. Jessica lets out a short laugh, gently patting Spencer on the head.

"Most serial arsonists don't intend to inflict harm. Injuries or death, those are accidental. It's not about violence." Emily says.

"For this one it is." Hotch says.

"It's also about power. Seeing the destructive force of their fires. Watching the chaos, for them, fire's just a substitute for sexual release." Gideon says.

"Oh, great, so if these guys don't get laid, they start fires?" Penelope asks.

"Or in this case, burn entire families to death." Gideon says.

"No statistic?" Emily asks Spencer who shakes his head.

"No, this dude's one of a kind. Zero statistics." Jessica remarks.

"Thank God." Penelope says.

"Three weeks ago, this serial arsonist escalated into a serial killer whose weapon is fire." Spencer says. "Why?"

"Major event. Possibly the breakup of his primary sexual outlet. The separation, the loss." Hotch says.

"All right, what about his victims?" Gideon asks.

"SFPD can't connect the Jarvis' and the Cutlers, but witnesses put an unidentified late model gold Sedan near both fires." JJ says.

"Run the car." Hotch tells her. "Garcia, run the victims through the system, if there's any connection we need to find it."

"Yes, sir." She says.

"Reid, Taylor, victimology." Hotch tells them. Jessica gives him a thumbs up. "I'll go see Charlotte Cutler."

"You took the burn one last time." Gideon says.

"It's all right. I got it." Hotch assures as everybody leaves.

+++

Spencer walks over to the table, holding three coffees in one hand and a first aid kit and two plates including pastries in the other.

"This place is great. They have their own espresso machine." Spencer tells Jessica and JJ.

"Do you need help?" Jessica asks, frowning at his full hands.

"No, I got it." Spencer dismisses.

"Dr. Reid, this is Detective Castro."

"Hi." He attempts to wave. 

"She is with the SFPD liaison." JJ informs, taking one of the coffees. Jessica grabs her own coffee.

"Burned my hand on that espresso machine." Spencer explains the first aid kit which he holds up, it falling open. Jessica winces.