Chapter 1
He examined the body closely. So much rage was taken out on this young beautiful woman. She was strangled, neck broken, and her clothes torn off. Her head had been smashed against the floor multiple times; pieces of her scalp were on the hardwood floor mixed with hair and clotted blood, her skull obviously fractured. He walked around the apartment no signs of forced entry she knew and trusted her killer. She was nicely dressed she must have been going on a date; she probably thought he was the man of her dreams. Was she looking for her soul mate? Well weren't we all, he felt empathy for her. He looked at the pictures on her bookcase she was happy, had many friends. She had pictures of her with a group of girls but none with any boyfriends. College books on her desk she was studying literature. Opened letters from home. Home being Orlando, Florida.
"Hey Bobby, sorry I'm late," said Eames as she walked into the room. "I was in the middle of a great dream. Is it the same as the others?" looking at the young woman on the floor.
"I'm afraid so, but his rage is getting worse. Single college student, dressed for a date, raped, strangled, but this time he smashed her head against the floor to the point of crushing it," said Goren.
"No signs of forced entry. Where is this one from?" she asked.
"Orlando, Florida," said Goren as he sat on the sofa, his hands supported his chin elbows on his knees.
"Well he seems to like southern girls. The other three were from the south too," said Eames as she still stared at the body.
"Yes one from Georgia, one from Louisiana, and one from Mississippi. Maybe he has something against the Gulf Coast?" Goren shrugged his shoulders. "But more than likely he is targeting girls away from home and southern girls tend to be friendlier, more trusting."
"You saying us New York girls aren't friendly?" snarked Eames.
"No comment," said Goren as he waved his hands in the air and got up from the sofa. "I am at a loss on this one."
"I am guessing he hasn't left us any evidence again," said Eames as she looked around the room.
"Nope, this guy is good. Guess we better notify her parents," said Goren as he grabbed his binder and headed for the door. He took one last look at the apartment before he left and thought "Four young women with their futures ahead of them. High hopes in the big apple, so horrible to end up this way."
"I hate this part. Especially at 3am people know they aren't getting good news at 3am," responded Eames. "I'll get their number from her address book. Then I guess we can go to headquarters and start calling her friends. See if any of them knew who she had a date with last night."
They arrived at One PP at 5am it was almost deserted only a few detectives were working. Eames called and informed Angie's parents.
"I will never get used to making these types of phone calls," she said putting her head in her hands. "They are going to fly up today. I didn't ask any questions best to wait till they get here."
"She might have not told them anything. The other girls kept this guy a secret. He must be married and told them not to tell anyone of the relationship," said Goren. "Maybe they threatened to tell his wife and he killed them."
They went through her address book, called and talked to her friends but none of them knew of any date plans. They were surprised that she had a secret boyfriend. They described her as shy and scared to even talk to boys. Just like all the rest. At 7am Ross came into the building and he wasn't happy.
"Goren, Eames in my office," he bellowed.
They got up, walked to his office and closed the door.
"Do you know what I have been doing all night?"
Goren and Eames looked at each other but figured he wasn't looking for an answer.
"I have been on the phone with the Mayor, Commissioner and the Chief of D's. We have had 4 women brutally attacked in two weeks and no clues and no leads. The Mayor is afraid people will start pulling their kids out of Hudson University if something isn't done."
"Captain, we are..." started Goren.
"I am not finished Detective! We are creating a Task Force to stop this nut job and calling in the FBI BAU to help. I will list the NYPD officers who will be on the Task Force but I want you and Eames to lead the Task Force and work directly with the BAU.
They will be here from DC later today. I need you to get together all the files and lab reports and have them ready for when they get here. We are setting them up on the 10th floor conference room," said Ross.
Goren rolled his eyes, "Captain, do we really need the feds?"
"Goren I know how you feel about them, but we aren't getting anywhere. We need someone else to look at this. The Behavioral Analysis Unit has helped in other cases before all over the U.S. They have help capture many serial killers. Just give them a chance," ordered Ross.
"Ok, Captain," Goren shook his head and walked out the office.
"This is going to be a hoot," said Eames.
Goren and Eames contacted everyone on the Task Force list and notified them of the meeting with the BAU meeting later in the afternoon, after Goren and Eames had time to brief them. They also made sure the files, lab reports were copied and the conference was set up. Goren also did his own research of the BAU team.
"I have been a detective for over 15 yrs and I am lowered to setting up a conference room for the feds," snickered Goren.
"Calm down Bobby they are only coming to help," said Eames.
The door was flung open and four people walked in and right past Goren and Eames.
"Marcia get your computer hooked up ASAP and link up to the NYPD main frame," said Reid.
James Reid was the leader of the BAU team 58 years old, divorced 3 kids all full grown. He was the easy going type, but straight to the point. Father figure to the rest of the team.
Marcia Gordon 32, single, computer expert of the team. Anything to do with computers or finding something online she is the person to go to. She has a boyfriend, but her constant travels put a strain on her relationship.
"Mike, you and Bree after you go over the files, you will need to visit the crime scenes," said Reid.
Mike Wilson 40, divorced father of two, former NYPD and Marine, knows the ins and outs of the NYPD, he left the NYPD when he found it not challenging enough.
Sabrina (Bree) Wilson 38 single and intends to keep it that way. Graduated Medical School at 21. Psychiatrist and considered one of the worlds top profilers. Doesn't allow herself to make personal relationships on or off the job, since her partner was killed by a serial killer 5 years ago. Has also worked with Declan Gage.
"I will check with the Captain and with the detectives that are handling the case. By this afternoon we should be ready to have something to give them," said Reid.
Goren and Eames just stood and watch them as they scurried around like busy bees. As they put all of their things in place. They wondered if and when they would be noticed; or if they were noticed would they be acknowledged.
Goren cleared his throat to let them know they were there.
Reid turned around and looked at him, confused at first, then he smiled, "Special Agent James Reid, sorry if we seem to just be taking over, didn't see you standing there. We are with the BAU, this is Agent Marcia Gordon our computer expert, Agent Mike Wilson he was in the Marines and NYPD before the FBI and Agent Sabrina Lambert our psychiatrist. And you are?" asked Reid.
"Detective Goren and Eames, we have been assigned to work with you," said Goren.
"Great," said Reid shaking Goren's hand. "Nice to meet you, let's get started."
They all sat around the table, and opened the victims' files. Sabrina was already making notes. The others were openly discussing the case but Sabrina was quiet, as she flipped through each file.
"We were given some information but not all. This is what we know so far, each girl was from out of town, didn't have boyfriends, was going on a date, but nobody knows who," said Reid.
"We figure he was probably married so he made her keep it secret," said Goren.
"Maybe he was her teacher and wanted her to keep it secret," said Sabrina she added without looking up.
"Those are two good possibilities," said Reid. "Did you check that out detectives?"
"Uh, No," said Goren.
"Ok we need to see if the girls had any common teachers," said Reid. "See if you can look that up Marcia."
"Ok what else do we know," asked Reid.
"No forcible entry so she knew her killer, his rage is increasing, all girls are from the south," said Mike.
"We figure southern girls have the reputation for being hospitable and nice. Maybe that's why she let him in," said Goren.
"Not all girls from the south are nice and hospitable," laughed Mike, as he looked at Sabrina.
Sabrina looked at him with daggers in her eyes.
"See what I mean," snarked Mike.
Sabrina went back to her files.
"Amber Rayne what was she allergic to?" asked Sabrina without looking up.
Everyone looked at Goren and Eames.
"Excuse me?" asked Eames.
Sabrina looked up, "Amber Rayne the third victim had a rash on her labia, did you find out what she was allergic to?"
"There was nothing on her medical files and her parents are dead. So we had no way of finding out," responded Eames.
Goren and Eames were beginning to feel like they were on trial. Especially with Sabrina she never made eye contact with Goren or Eames and questions every little thing on the reports. Never making small talk only business. When they were finished everyone discussed going to lunch.
"I want to go to Amber Rayne's apartment," said Sabrina.
"Bree let's have some lunch first," said Reid.
"I can get something on the way," she responded.
"I am not letting you go by yourself," he said.
"I'll take her," said Goren.
She hesitated but then agreed to go with Goren. Goren drove to Amber Rayne's apartment. Goren attempted to make conversation but Bree just looked out the window.
"Looks like we are going to get some rain," said Goren as he looked at Sabrina and tried to make small talk.
She didn't respond but kept her gaze out the window.
"How long have you been profiling with the FBI?" he asked.
She looked at him with cold eyes. "You really want me to believe you haven't researched everyone on the team already?" She went back to looking out the window.
Goren didn't know what to say. He had looked up the teams records. He knew the basics about each one. He knew Sabrina was 38 yrs old, graduated high school at age 15, IQ of 200, finished medical school at 21 and joined FBI when she was 23. She is one of the top profilers in the business. She was known for having strange ideas but most of them were right on target. She knew how to get into the mind of serial killers. He was learning she wasn't a social person, he wondered why.
They arrived at Amber's apartment. She walked ahead like Goren wasn't even there. She entered the apartment and began looking around. She searched the bathroom, bedroom, refrigerator, and pantry. She turned looking as if she were looking for the rest of her team, but then noticed only Goren standing there looking at her.
"Paraffin, she is allergic to paraffin," she stated.
"How do you know?" asked Goren as he moved closer.
"All the paraffin free products. Maybe he used some kind of lotion that contained paraffin?" she questioned.
"I can have the M.E. check for it," replied Goren.
"Good," she said and walked back to the SUV.
"Maybe we should get something for lunch before going back to the squad room?" suggested Goren.
She looked at him strangely.
"Look you have to eat," he said.
"Ok, fine," she replied. "Know anywhere that servers a good club sandwich?"
"I sure do," he replied.