Something New

Chapter Four

A week later, Derek lay on his side in the hospital bed, studying the newest body that had been found. Olivia stood next to his bed, her arms crossed. 

"We have a week until he takes his next victim," Olivia said. 

"We need to release something new to the press," Maggie called from across the room.

The entire team was there, working the case every waking moment. Vanessa's set up in the corner had expanded, she now had a laptop as well as three desktop computers set up. The keyboard clicks never ended. 

"You're right. What do we have that's new?" Derek asked, setting down the file. 

"We know from the families that all the women were alone at dawn or dusk when they were abducted. No witnesses, so we don't know if it was by force or if our unsub lured them in." Howard began. 

"Most of the families seem to think it was by force, claiming the women were too smart to fall for some trick like that," added Jake. 

"All families do," Olivia snorted. 

"In other words, we don't have anything solid," Derek sighed.

"Well, as far as we know there are no connections between the victims besides location, which tells us these are random attacks and it doesn't matter what the women look like to the unsub," Ryan stood up from his seat on the wall and approached a board of pictures they had hanging up. 

"Victimology can't help us," Olivia shook her head and sat down at the edge of Derek's bed. 

"We have to keep looking. Where were the women when they were abducted?" Derek insisted.

"Isolated, mostly. Some were on runs or running errands or even in their cars," 

"So our unsub lacks people skills, he's striking women when they are alone and not in broad daylight. He's not smart enough to lure them in," Derek clarified, getting nods from the others. "So we have that. What else can we give to the press?"

"We have to reiterate warnings to young women going places alone, and we know he has a light blue honda," Vanessa spoke up. 

"He could be changing vehicles though," Jake frowned.

"We need to give them whatever we can," Vanessa replied with a shrug. 

"They've been asking questions about you, too sir. Rumors are going around saying agents have been killed," Maggie said, glancing up from her phone. 

"So we tell them that I'm fine. A little infection a week ago but it's cleared up now and I should be out of here in a matter of days," 

The team all nodded, and no one spoke, most avoiding looking at each other's faces. 

"Keep looking. We have to be missing something," Derek ordered, and everyone around him moved. 

"Howard and I will go to the most recent dumpsite and see what we can find," Olivia said, gathering her things to leave.

Derek nodded and watched as they left. Through the window, a flash of blonde hair caught his eye as well.

Dr. Grey leaned against the nurse's station desk, talking to a taller, muscular looking doctor with dark hair. He said something that made her laugh, and when her head tipped back her features lit up with happiness. 

Derek's breath caught in his throat. Who was that man? Her boyfriend? A flash of jealousy seared through Derek, and he caught himself.

What the hell was he doing? She's his doctor and nothing more. Nothing more. Why would he care if she had a boyfriend?