AN: This chapter may be a bit boring…and the plane conversation sucks. But there will be violence and wonderful torture later on so; if you like it keep reading.
Hotch had told Morgan that they were all supposed to load onto the plane; which is where they would discuss the case. On the drive there Morgan annoyed Reid for details on the conversation he had with Charlie. After a while Reid told him; leaving out a few pieces he wanted to keep. He smirked inwardly, enjoying his photographic memory.
Once everyone was on the plane and it had taken off; Hotch pulled out the case files.
"There have been twelve murders over the past six months; the first one was found on New Year's morning." He started. "There have been two victims for each month; one female the other male; usually couples." Garcia pulled up the photos in time-of-death order. The bodies varied in ethnicity and each was in a public place; displayed to resemble scenes from romance stories. All were strung up into trees or other tall objects by their own intestine to hold the pose. Cuts and burns were covered up by makeup to hide them. "The killer gets a new pair about a week after the last ones died." He continued.
"Why couples?" J.J. questioned.
"It's possible that the killer was in a bad relationship with someone and the partner died or they had a bad break up. The killer could envy the good relationships of others and plan to ruin them." Reid answered.
"Then why stage them like puppets," Rossi asked. "And the torture?
"It seems like the killer wants control over the victims; to establish dominance. He probably feels weak in the relationships he's had." Prentiss joined in. "Torture is then used to turn the victims against each other; making them easier to manipulate."
"Garcia, could you look for any messy break ups or dead spouses around January near the Cape?" Morgan chimed in. A few clicking noises later.
"Sorry nothing."
"Thanks for checking baby girl." Morgan replied.
"None of the victims had children; most were vacationers from out of town. The killer could be too." Reid suggested.
"No, he plans out what he wants to do; he watches them for a bit before grabbing them." Rossi countered. "That or he is a person who could easily take them without arousing suspicion.
"The latest murder was found this morning. J.J. you will go to a press conference when we land while the rest of us go to the crime scene. We want to keep the public calm, but also warn them that staying in groups of at least three is advised." Hotch ordered. J.J. nodded her head in reply. The rest of the short flight was mostly silent except for a few side conversations. When the plane landed the team split up.
Hotches group exited the black rental car. An officer spotted them and waved them over.
"Hello officer." Hotch greeted.
"You must be Special Agent Hotchner; correct?" Hotch nodded. "I'm Captain Clay." They started walking toward the crime scene. "Just want to let you know that my department will have full cooperation with the FBI. I've made sure everyone here knows this isn't about who gets what, but to catch the "artist" who did this." His wording struck the team as odd but they wouldn't judge.
"Thank you Captain; if your team is done here, mine would like to take a look." Captain Clay called for his team to move back. The team stood in front of the scene for a while examining it. The victims were posed to match the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet. The "Romeo", John Carter, was tied to some shorted braches; he hung in a kneeling pose looking up at his wife, Katie Carter. She was the "Juliet" of the scene and was tied up to some higher branches.
"They were taken from outside a local bar; no one filled out a missing persons form since they were on an anniversary vacation. Everyone thought they had been traveling." Captain Clay explained.
"He probably took them after they were intoxicated, to make it easier to grab them." Hotch stated. The team continued to examine the bodies; as they moved slightly in the wind, they seemed to come alive.
After the sun had set and it was difficult to move further on the case the team met back at a motel they were to stay at. Reid was the last one to enter through the door. A grin spread on his face as he walked in. He'd been watching for her throughout the afternoon; slightly hoping they wouldn't meet near the crime scene. She is his fallen angel, who could pull him out of the darkness of others' worlds. She turned, her hair shimmered in the artificial light, Charlie waved to him as he entered.