Cowboy Like Me: Criminal Minds

Lucky

Sloane flipped the last pancake onto her plate, the scent of fresh coffee filling her small apartment. It was one of the rare mornings where there was no case pressing down on her, no urgent phone calls, and no high-stakes drama. She was savoring the quiet moment, flipping open the book she'd been meaning to read for weeks.

Just as she sat down at the kitchen table, her phone buzzed insistently.

Sloane sighed, already suspecting her peaceful morning was about to end. She picked up her phone and saw Hotch's name on the screen.

"Barrett," she answered, trying to keep her tone professional.

"Barrett, it's SSA Hotchner. We've got a case and need you to report in immediately. There's a plane waiting. Briefing will happen onboard."

The seriousness in his voice made her sit up straight. "Understood. I'll be there in twenty."

The call ended as quickly as it had come. Sloane tossed her book aside, grabbed her jacket, and gave her breakfast a regretful look. So much for the peaceful morning.

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The BAU jet hummed steadily as it cut through the clouds, the familiar sounds of files flipping and discussions brewing filling the cabin. Sloane took a seat across from Reid, already spotting Hotch deep in conversation with Morgan and Prentiss near the front.

JJ stood and began the briefing, her tone sharp and focused. "We're heading to Florida. A woman has been found dead—her fingers cut off—and two others are missing. Local authorities suspect they may be dealing with a cannibalistic killer."

Morgan's expression darkened. "So, we've got a guy who's mutilating his victims and eating them? And two women who could be his next meals?"

JJ nodded grimly. "Yes. We need to find them fast."

Reid, sitting next to Sloane, spoke up. "Cannibalism as a psychological behavior is often tied to dominance or control. In some cases, it can have ritualistic elements, but in others, it's purely about possessing the victim—literally making them a part of the unsub."

"Well," Sloane said dryly, "that's probably the most unsettling thing I've heard all week."

Reid smiled slightly, acknowledging her attempt to lighten the mood. "It's not exactly common, but it's more frequent in cases where the unsub feels like they've been deprived of something significant—power, control, or even a sense of belonging."

"Great," Sloane said, shaking her head. "A guy with serious control issues."

Hotch approached from the front of the plane, giving Reid and Sloane their assignment. "Reid, Sloane, you'll be working together on this one. I want you two to start by combing through the victim's medical history and looking for any connection between her and the missing women. Anything that might point to why they were chosen."

Sloane gave a quick nod, hiding the subtle jolt she felt at the brief moment when Hotch's gaze met hers. The professionalism in his tone was clear, but there was always something underneath it—something unspoken.

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Hours later, Sloane and Reid sat across from each other in a small office at the local police station. The place smelled of stale coffee and anxiety, and the two of them were surrounded by mountains of paperwork.

"Cannibalism," Sloane muttered under her breath, flipping through yet another file. "That's... new."

Reid glanced up from his own pile of reports, looking thoughtful. "It's rare, but when it happens, it's often tied to extreme psychological trauma. The unsub might be driven by a need for dominance, or possibly even a form of ritualistic compulsion."