deep end, cm [ 1 ]

059. damaged

"Yeah, JJ." Hotch says on the phone. "Um, no, it's-- it's-- it's a personal matter. Yes, thank you. I will take care of it when I get back." He hangs up.

"Is everything all right?" Spencer asks.

"Yeah, fine." Hotch says.

"We can do this interview another time." Spencer offers.

"Well, he's scheduled to be executed next week." Hotch says.

"I can take the lead if you--"

"Reid." Hotch holds his hand out to stop him.

"Sorry." Spencer whispers.

"Agent Hotchner?" A man walks in.

"Yes." He answers.

"Ah." He shakes Hotch's hand. "And, um, Agent Taylor?" He asks her.

"Yes." Jessica stands up and shakes his hand, politely smiling.

"You must be Dr. Reid." He says, Spencer standing up and shaking his hand. "Abner Merriman, assistant warden. You're here to see our infamous inmate Hardwick."

"Yeah. He agreed to meet with us as part of our criminal personality research project prior to his execution." Spencer says.

"I've read some of your studies in police journals." He tells Spencer who gets a large smile on his face. "Serial killers are a kind of hobby of mine." Jessica's lips quirk up at Spencer's grin. "Chester's the only one I've ever met in person, though. I bet you've met quite a few."

"Sir, we'd very much like to get started as soon as we can." Hotch says, preventing Spencer from any sort of reply.

"Oh, of course, of course. Forgive me." Abner says. "Uh, we, uh... we don't really have interrogation facilities, but I do have a small room that you can use. You're not armed?"

"We secured our weapons before we arrived. It's not our first time in a prison." Hotch says.

"No, no, I suppose that's true." Abner chuckles. "I have to say, when I heard that he contacted you, I was surprised."

"Why?" Jessica asks.

"Chester Hardwick? He doesn't really talk much. To anyone." Abner says.

"Well, that usually changes when someone's about to die." Hotch says.

+++

"The, uh, door will of course be locked from the outside." Abner says. "And this button here, it sounds audibly as well as triggers a flashing light to signal the guards when you're finished."

"Thank you." Spencer tells him.

"Are these the crime scene photos?" Abner asks, picking two of the photos up.

"Uh, some of them, yes." Spencer answers.

"God... I knew what he did, of course, but I... you know, never saw... 23 victims like this." Abner says.

"Sometimes in these interviews they talk about crimes they were never charged with, so it might even be more." Spencer says.

"Is it ever less?" Abner asks.

"No." Spencer answers.

"Please." Hotch takes the photos from the man. "Paying attention to these items projects a kind of importance on them. When he comes in, I'd like to give him the opportunity to show us which parts of the crimes he thinks are important."

"Sorry. Of course. Sorry." Abner says.

"It's all right." Hotch says.

The door opens, guards leading Chester in.