Conviction [1] (Criminal Hearts)

Chapter 1 L.D.S.K

Jasmine 

(bellamysgirl)

"We are all broken, that's how the light gets in." —Ernest Hemingway.

Des Plaines, Illinois.

"He's drawn to high-stakes jobs by a need to prove his superiority to a world he perceives has undervalued him. And these shootings are the ultimate expression of that need. We believe he changes his jurisdictions intentionally and strikes within the first/second shift change, indicating an intimate knowledge of law enforcement."

Agent Hotchner spoke in front of the Police officers, giving the profile. He was just starting when Jasmine reached the doorway at the back of the somewhat small room. She waited there, listened in, and waited for him to finish—leaning a hip into the door frame with loosely crossed arms and a relaxed expression. "You're saying he's one of us," an officer spoke up.

Hotch answered, "We're saying he once was, or is now, a Police officer."

"Is he driving a white van, too?"

"Enough," Sergeant Weigart said, as chuckles steadily bubbled across the group of officers. "That'll be all for now." The officers slowly began to resume their work, moving about. Jasmine pushed off the wall, but not before Gideon spotted her, and approached her.

"It's good to see you," he said, walking up. "How you been? Good?"

Jasmine shrugged a little, spreading a small, closed-mouthed smile across her lips, "As good as I can be."

"You know I wouldn't have called if it wasn't urgent," Gideon reminded, tentatively.

"I know," she nodded. "Where do you need me?"

He made a motion as he turned, walking semi-quickly away. Jasmine didn't hesitate to follow. He lead the way through the small office, filling her in on the previous killings. Taking into account the profile that was given, Jasmine expected nothing less than something horrific. Gideon lead her to the Sergeant's office. They arrived just as Hotch and JJ were coming out. "My backup has arrived," Gideon said, mostly directed at Hotch.

Hotch's eyes immediately moved to Jasmine. He knew he'd seen her face before but he couldn't quite put a name to it. It was familiar to a point that was almost irritating how elusive it was. "Agent Black, this is Agent Hotchner and Agent Jareau," Gideon introduced. "She's going to be an extra pair of hands on this case."

Jasmine held out her hand to each agent as he named them, and they shook it each in turn. "Just call me Jasmine," she said. "'Agent Black' is a little too formal for me."

Hotch's interest peeked then, hearing her first name. "Gideon, can I have a word with you for a moment?"

"Sure," Gideon replied, neutrally.

The two stepped away, moving out of earshot, but Jasmine knew exactly what they were talking about. It was no secret that Jasmine Black had a gift. A gift of drawing faces. When word got out just how scarily accurate her sketches were, she was the busiest sketch artist in New York City. But the deeper she delved into the technicalities of law enforcement, the more she realized she was in the wrong profession.

JJ smiled at Jasmine politely, "You can call me JJ."

Jasmine smiled back. "It's nice to meet you. Gideon filled me in on some things, but I'm-"

"No. Way. Jasmine?"

She turned around at the sound of her name, the sound being voiced by a particularly familiar male voice. "Spencer?" Jasmine's smile widened upon seeing a tall, lanky brunette walking quickly her way. "It's so good to see you." She was a bit taken aback, caught off guard by his sudden gesture when approaching her—wrapping his arms around her in a small hug. Though it was understandable, considering they hadn't seen each other in a couple of years.