UNDER REVISION Silence in the Scars (A Criminal Minds Story)

Chapter 6: The Phone Call

Back at the Hill Lake Police Station, Reid, and Rossi were trying to figure out why the UNSUB had drastically shifted his timeline. Hotch and JJ were releasing the profile to the media and dealing with questions from the press.

"The FBI's involvement might have caused him to panic," Reid said. He was repeatedly clicking his pen as he spoke.

"But we profiled him as methodical, organized," Rossi said. "He would have to know or at least guess that the F.B.I would be getting involved at some point."

"Not necessarily," Reid replied, still clicking the pen. "We don't always get invited to help. He might have thought that a small town police department wouldn't involve the FBI."

Rossi took the pen away from Reid as Hotch entered the room.

"The UNSUB left another note," Hotch said. "Lieutenant Vang was attacked."

"Is she okay?" Rossi asked.

"The UNSUB struck her in the head with something heavy," Hotch replied. "The paramedics said that she probably has a severe concussion, but other than that she'll be fine."

"He returned to the body again and attacked a police officer," Rossi said. "That's bold."

"What about the note the UNSUB left," Reid asked.

"Two notes this time," Hotch said. He opened the the two pictures that Morgan had sent him on his phone. "One was found on Abbey's body and the other was painted on the side of the patrol car."

"Clearly he's trying to send a message," Rossi said. "Leave or he's going to come after one of us."

JJ and Riley walked into the room as Rossi spoke. Riley looked tired and less like his usual hyperactive, inquisitive self.

"JJ, we're going to need to set up a tip line," Hotch said.

"Why?" Riley asked.

"We released a statement to the press, the UNSUB most likely will call," JJ explained. "Either to gloat over what he has done or to make further threats."

"Garcia will be able to trace the calls that come through that tip line," Hotch said. "Then, if the UNSUB does call, we can find his location."

Morgan and Prentiss walked into the room. Prentiss put the evidence bag with the note from Abby's body on the board next to the other note. Morgan and her filled the rest of the team in on what they found at the other crime scene and what the hospital had told them about Vang's condition. Reid had taken both notes off the board and was busy examining them.

"What you got there, pretty boy?" Morgan asked. "I can hear you thinking all the way over here."

"There's two UNSUBs," Reid said. That got everyone else's attention. "This second note was written by a women and the first one was written by a man."

"We're dealing with a team then," JJ said.

Reid was still pouring over the notes. "I'd say that the female is the dominant personality."

"Why?" Rossi asked.

"On the first note, the handwriting is hesitant and unconnected, while on the second note it's larger and clearer." Reid replied. He placed both notes back on the table. "Also, the first note is addressed to an individual, showing that he isn't confident with the masses. The second note is addressed to a large group of people."

"You got all that from the handwriting?" Riley asked.

"Graphology is an effective and reliable indicator of personality and behavior," Reid replied.