Bag of Bones

by Graveygraves

Someone is returning the remains of young boys, twelve years after they were abducted and murdered. Will this give the team the vital clues they need to finally apprehend the killer whose sudden disappearance had halted the investigation all those years in the past? Hotch/Rossi centric but all team involved as it's a case fic. Beta'd but views always appreciated.

1. Returning

Bag of Bones

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the ideas

This is for the Halloween Horrors challenge on CCOAC. My pair is Hotch/Rossi and my prompt Stephen King's Bag of Bones. This is a case fic set during Season 6 somewhere between the episodes 11 and 12. Thought it was important to set it in context. Also, a great big thanks to everyone on Facebook and CCOAC who helped me with certain timeline issues – you are all fantastic.

This is a work in progress at the moment so I will be posting weekly to begin with. Once finished in RL I will post more often.

. . .

The cloudless night sky was lit with the soft glow of the yellowing full moon and a smattering of bright stars. Without the warmth of a blanket of clouds the night was cold, but dry - rare after the bitter winds and biting rain of the last few weeks.

Occasional vehicles moved along the quiet streets, nothing out of the ordinary for that time of a Saturday night. Couples returning from an evening out, a random teenager making their way back from the late night showing at the cinema, all the usual things you would expect from such a nice family area.

A man walked across the road, returning to the white picket fenced property with his large Golden Retriever in tow; obviously completing a late night lap of the neighbourhood before bed. Once inside a series of lights switched off, bringing darkness to the once illuminated home. The pattern made it easy to trace the route of the occupants through their bedtime routine. Just short of an hour later the final light was extinguished in what could only be the bedroom.

By now the area was beyond peacefully quiet and had moved into the eerie silence that made it uncomfortable to be out. Nothing moved in the unnaturally still night.

After hours of patient waiting, a shadowy figure made their way across to the immaculate property. Creeping up the path the heavy hessian bag was placed on the top step of the doorway, on top the plain envelope weighted down with a large smooth stone. Pausing for a moment, head bowed, the figure was startled by the deep bark shattering the silence. Getting to their feet they ran – gone before they heard the disapproving tones of the owner, scalding the persistent animal.

. . .

However that didn't stop the loud barks as Samson's paws pounded the front door - only halting to growl as he built up to the next warning siren of deep barks.

"For Christ's sake, what is it, boy?" Ryan Gardener muttered reaching the bottom step. Samson had always been a lively companion and prone to outbursts, but Ryan realised this was something different. It wasn't some dream that had woken the dog; something real had disturbed Samson's slumber.

Finding the door keys in the hallway table drawer, Ryan gave Samson's collar a tug that got him sat and finally silent. Opening the door, he was surprised to find the bundle dumped at his feet. Removing the stone he lifted the envelope and opened it, sliding out the yellow card with the word 'sorry' printed simply in the centre. Squatting down he opened the bag, Ryan fell back as Samson shot forward to sniff the contents.

"What is it?" Lisa Gardener called from the top of the stairs, as she heard her husband's scream of 'NO!' bounce and echo through the hallway.