The Videotape

The Brother

70 hours left

Shouta let go of Spencer's hand and looking away hastily so as not to let the team catch on. "What have you gotten so far?". Shouta turned, asking Hotch. Spencer coughed slightly from the back of his throat, trying to break himself out of the moment. He was nervous, very nervous. Shouta was here and the team can't know.

"So far, all we have is this photo and tape which was sent to me this morning. Unfortunately, we cannot tell when it was recorded". Hotch handed over the photo to Shouta to look over, the pair compared it to the image in which was sent to Shouta. "So, so far you don't have any suspects, nothing?". Shouta turned his gaze from the images, up to Hotch.

"Take a seat". Hotch gestured to the seat next to him. "So far, no. But we have this". Hotch turned to Garcia and nodded at her slightly. With that, she turned in her seat and began the video. Shouta fidgeted in his seat at the slight of his abused brother. His little brother, tied up, beaten, bloody and bruised is something he never wanted nor expected to see. He turned to look at Spencer who was ultimately looking away from the screen and down at his empty coffee cup.

"Do you recognise the man in the video? I know it isn't much, but his voice? Gate? Mannerisms?". Hotch asked, but Shouta shook his head. "My brother didn't really know anybody, he's quite reserved". But Shouta knew that was a lie, his brother was rather popular and had a number friends, but he couldn't tell the BAU team because then once the bag is open, everything will come spilling out, and he made a promise. "No one that you can think of". Morgan asked.

"No, I'm sorry". Again, he looked over to Reid. Morgan caught at this quick glance but dismissing it swiftly.

"On that back of your photo, what does it say?". Rossi asked.

"1018".

"That's it?". Rossi looked confused.

"That's it".

"Do those numbers hold any significant value to your brother?". Shouta took another look but after another minute he just shook his head and handed it back to Hotch. "Are you sure? Not a birthday or anniversary of sorts?".

"I'm sorry, nothing is coming to mind".

"Garcia".

"Yes, captain?". Garcia answered.

"Can you run the numbers alongside Kento's name and see if we get anything". Garica saluted in response, turning back to her computer scene, making quick work of the keyboard.

"Shouta, what is your brother's address?". Hotch asked.

"Apartment 24B, Westbrooke Way".

"Right, Morgan, JJ and Emily I want you to head over there and see if there is anything you can find regarding the kidnapping".

"Yes, sir!". All three said as they quickly stood up, taking their jackets before walking out the door. Reid followed them with his eyes, in worry.

"Reid". Spencer brought his head back to look at Hotch up. "I want you to start working on the geographical profiling of victimology". Spencer nodded. This was his usual job, he was good with maps and number, well pretty much everything but running. There wasn't much to go on, but he could start. A pit still sat in the bottom of his stomach, he couldn't shake this sick feeling that just laid there.

67 hours left

It has been a couple of hours since Shouta joined the team, and they were no closer then they were 2 hours ago. The room gained an evidence board, which laid bare beside the victim's profile. Hotch, Shouta, and Rossi sat at the top, looking through screenshots that Garcia had collected from the video, looking for anything recognisable. "Come on guys, we've been working for 6 hours and nothing". The team looked lost and baffled. How they haven't managed to find even the smallest of clue is outstanding. "Anything on those numbers Garcia?".

"Negative sir! Still looking".

"Reid". Reid was stood by the evidence board, a big map pinned to it as well as Kento's photo, and the blank photo for the unsub. Only a single marker was currently on the map, which showed where Kento lived. "How well did you know Kento?". Reid froze, he feared that soon he'll be asked questions regarding his friendship to Kento, and figured he would say one thing. "Not much sir, only see him in the cafe, so nothing personal". Reid tried to keep his focus on Hotch, keeping anyway from anything that could be seen as suspicious. He was in a room full of profilers after all. "Did you not pick up anything from seeing him there?". Reid stood to think whether there was anything he could give them, anything at all. "I think over sir". That was very unlike Reid, Rossi thought. Normally the kid is banging out with facts and knowledge, but having to think, no, not like him at all. Rossi watched him whilst Hotch and Shouta carry on talking about his brother's recent activities. The kid's head hung, hiding his face. He hasn't really said a word all morning, which Rossi was beginning to question if he knows more than he is letting on.

Apartment 24B

Morgan, JJ, and Emily got to Kento's apartment rather quickly as it was just a five-minute drive from the HQ. The crime scene team and local police officers had already beaten them there. "Agent Jearau, Morgan and Prentiss?". An officer was stood in the frame of Kento's apartment doorway".

"Yes, you must be Officer Davis. Nice to meet you". Morgan reaching out his hand to shake the hand of the officer. He was a smallish man, round physic, bald head and featuring a five o'clock shadow. A Glock sat on his left hip, radio on his right and blue gloves covered his hands. Apparently, he was a good officer, proficient, clean. He leads the BAU team into the apartment. "What have you found?". JJ asked.

"Upon arrival officers reported the door was slightly ajar, the main room was a mess which we lead to believe there was a struggle". Yellow tags sat in places where evidence was discovered, glass decorated near the desk unit where photos had fallen and smashed. Another had books and paperwork but the third had blood, deep red. "They reckon its been at least a day or 2 since the breakin". Officer Davis reported.

"How did no one notice for 2 days?". The officer just shrugged. "Have you not interviewed any of the neighbors?".

"There was only another couple that lived on this floor and there currently away on holiday at the time". Morgan nodded. How is it they still have nothing? "This way agents, the bedroom is where we need to be". A team of forensic officers were walking around, taking photographs and dusting for prints. But they didn't expect to see this.

On the bed laid a puddle of blood, which was still wet but dried in areas. The cover laid on the floor, the pillows remain with slashed of blood on them. The team all stood around, learning the crime scene in their own way, Morgan picturing he was the unsub. JJ, looking closer for missed evidence and Emily checked out the room, wondering how he got in and out. "CSI reckons the blood loss isn't fatal, only a pint, so maybe he's still kicking".

"He's alive". Morgan spoke as he looked closer.

"How do you know? You can't tell that by looking at his blood can you". The officer looked amazing but at the same time, confused.

"We were sent a video of him earlier this morning". Jj said standing next to Davis. Ooh, he mouthed.

"Sorry, hang on". JJ pushed past them both to have a closer look. She gestured her hand to one of the forensic team to come over. "Can you test this spot for me please". Just below the bloodstain, there was a patch of dried, white liquid. "Seman?". Morgan asked as he looked up at her. She gave a confident nod. "But who's?". Morgan moved out of the way for the forensic team. "Could it be the unsubs? If so, we need to change the profile". Emily said. "We should head back". As they began to walk away, JJ glimpsed something in the corner of her eye. Something small and white laid underneath the bed. "Hang on guys". The other stopped, turning back to face her. JJ got down on her knees, reaching under the bed and picked up a small A5 size piece of paper and flipping it around.

"What is it?".

"A photo of Kento and...". She handed the piece over to Morgan. "His face is all scratched out". Morgan was lost. "But it's not just that, look at the date on the back".

"14th October 2018". It took Morgan a moment to catch on before he finally realised.

"1018".