"Reid, Hotch is on the phone. We might have a lead." Morgan says. Reid turns around to face him and takes the phone. "Hey, what is it?" He asks, "We have to go to Los Angeles. Justin Rereaus's DNA was found at the crime scene, so was his brother's. Wheels up in 30." Reid hangs up the phone and strides towards Prentiss. "Hey, you guys ready?" She asks. Morgan and Reid nod.
As they board onto the plain they hear Garcia and JJ laughing together. "Hey, what's going on in here guys?" Morgan smiles, and Garcia replies "We're just spending some quality girl time together. Well, were." She laughs and reaches in her purse. "Hey now, just because you're coming with us doesn't mean you get to keep secrets and chat all day. We've got some work to do." Morgan says as he sits down across from Prentiss. Reid and JJ sit beside them and exchange looks. "Ok, so what'd we got?" Rossi asks. "Well, Justin's DNA was found, as well as his brothers, Brendan. They found fingerprints on the last victim's window, with signs of forced entry. As soon as we get down there we'll have to check out the crime scene. This is the unsub's ninth victim since Monday." JJ says. "Damn, nine victims in 10 days. They're obviously intelligent, physically fit and have some serious rage. But why the overkill? I mean, it's gotta be personal. Georgia's body definitely took a beating." Morgan says. "The thing I don't understand is why the unsub would change their MO so suddenly. First he stabbed, raped, cut and choked his victims, but now the victims have ligature marks, blunt forced trauma to the head, bullets execution style and burns." Prentiss says. Rossi replies, "Something must've happened to our unsub to trigger the change. He's clearly sadistic and having some kind of psychotic break. So what happened to make them suddenly take a different route?" Hotch replies, "Let's find out."
"You know, maybe the trigger had to do with a woman? Could be a mother, sister, babysitter who betrayed him? I'm guessing by the torture, whatever trauma he experienced, had continued for a long period of time and gradually got worse since each murder is worse than the last." Reid says to Prentiss as they're walking down a street. "Yeah but, why the sexual assault? There has to be more to it. Maybe molestation or exposure to it? Based on how most of his victims were prostitutes he was probably exposed to them at a young age. His mother may have been one or she could have drilled into his head that they're disgusting and don't deserve to live?" She sips her coffee and dials Garcia's number. "Garcia, we're gonna need you to do a background check on Justin Rereaus. See if he had an abusive past, maybe a mother who had a criminal record?" "Ok, gotcha princess. Love ya, bye." Reid and Prentiss make their way to their vehicle and drive towards the crime scene. "So" Prentiss says, "what's up with you and JJ? I've noticed you guys have been hanging out more and sitting pretty close." Reid blushes and tries to hide it. "What? No. We're just friends, we just-" "yeah, alright pretty boy." Prentiss laughs and parks the van. "You know I'm not just a pretty face" Reid jokes. "Yeah, I know genius." Prentiss laughs.
JJ walks out and meets the two of them outside. "Hey, the unsub broke through the window, there were also prints left on the shed. He's apparently not as smart as we thought because he didn't bother to wear gloves or clean up where he touched." Reid says "yeah, that or it's because Rereaus didn't do it, or was confident enough that we wouldn't find out." "Unless..." Prentiss says, "it was a message. This guy's got a clean background, petty criminal record and apparently functional family. The neighbors said they saw him come around here a lot. The window could have been for sneaking in, they were probably having an affair. He seemed genuinely upset to hear that she died. Also, his alibi is pretty solid. I don't really think it was him." "Ok, so we start fresh. But why were his fingerprints on the shed? It was mostly empty, minus a spare hose, dusty bicycle and a couple of beer bottles. Everything else was in the garage." Reid replied. "Maybe that's where they had sex, it's big enough, not a place her husband would hear them from, and if he woke up she wouldn't be far from the house." Prentiss says. Reid replies, "the only thing I don't understand is why the brother's DNA was found. If it was an affair why would his brother go there? But anyway, they're both in our custody so let's hope it's them." Morgan walks towards them. "Guys, come check this out."
