Cowboy Like Me: Criminal Minds

Brothers in Arms

The bullpen was unusually quiet, with only the soft hum of conversation and the occasional tap of keyboards filling the air. Sloane was halfway through a pile of case notes, trying to ignore the way Reid was muttering random trivia from across the room.

"Did you know," Reid said, not looking up from his book, "that the average person will walk the equivalent of five times around the world in their lifetime?"

Sloane raised an eyebrow, glancing over at him. "Is that supposed to make me feel accomplished or tired?"

Morgan chuckled from his desk. "I'm gonna go with tired."

The levity was short-lived as Hotch emerged from his office, his expression giving nothing away except urgency. "Conference room. Now."

The team moved instantly, their work abandoned. Sloane fell in step with Reid, who tucked his book under his arm as they made their way to the briefing. "Let me guess," Sloane said dryly. "This is going to be a fun one."

Reid shrugged, but his silence was answer enough.

The conference room was tense as JJ began. Behind her, a map of Phoenix, Arizona, was illuminated on the screen, marked with red pins.

"Four police officers have been killed in Phoenix over the past three weeks," JJ began. "All were ambushed while on duty, and the unsub left no clear evidence behind. Phoenix PD is asking for our help before anyone else gets hurt."

She clicked to a slide of the crime scene photos, each one stark and brutal. "The precision of these attacks suggests military or law enforcement training. The unsub knows what he's doing."

Morgan leaned forward, his jaw tight. "He's not just targeting officers—he's sending a message."

Reid added, "If he has a military or law enforcement background, he may feel betrayed by the system. His attacks could be personal."

Hotch spoke up, his tone even. "We need to establish his motive and figure out how he's choosing his targets. The faster we identify him, the fewer lives we'll lose."

Sloane studied the map, her mind racing. "If it's personal, he could be escalating. His timeline suggests he's getting more confident."

Hotch glanced at her, a flicker of approval crossing his face. "Good observation," he said, his voice low enough that only she could hear. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly, almost like a smile, but it was gone before she could be sure.

The team filed out to gather their gear, and Sloane couldn't shake the feeling of his gaze lingering on her for a second too long

Sloane and Reid ended up in the same SUV, with Morgan driving. Reid, as usual, couldn't resist sharing his thoughts aloud.

"You know," Reid began, flipping through the crime scene photos, "statistically, serial killers rarely target law enforcement. It's an anomaly, which makes the unsub's psychology more interesting."

Morgan glanced at him in the rearview mirror. "Interesting? I'm sure the officers in Phoenix think it's more terrifying."

Reid blinked. "That too."

Sloane smirked. "Leave it to you to make a terrifying anomaly sound like a fun research project."

Reid gave her a lopsided grin. "You know you secretly find it fascinating."

Morgan rolled his eyes. "I'm stuck in a car with nerds."

The Phoenix PD precinct was heavy with tension when the team arrived. Captain Danvers met them at the door, his face lined with exhaustion. "Four of my men, gone," he said, his voice thick. "And we've got nothing to show for it."