The Devil in Me
A Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior story
Chapter 3: Leverage
You've had your fun, do you suppose I earned it?
Washington D.C.
2 Days Later
I watched the television with clear intent… I needed to know where the FBI were in their investigation. I needed to buy enough time to make the great escape. But I was foolish to think the walls weren't closing in around me. No matter how many false breadcrumbs I plant the BAU is a much larger threat to my freedom than 'two cans short of a six pack' Hodges.
I had seen Agent Aaron Hotchner make a statement earlier this morning urging last minute shoppers to be hyper vigilant and to call the tip line if they think they saw me. Yesterday they even tried to reach out to me in a press conference, asking me to call the tip line. A decision I was close to flipping a coin on… I could explain where I stand, tell them why I'll never go back to prison, but the law doesn't change. No matter how sad your story is, they find me I'm back in a jail cell.
But right now, the news was less about me and more about a serial killer who is targeting late night Santa Claus'. Jolly men dressing up and asking for donations… a good deed. Even I am not so heartless as to target people who spread joy and wonder at this time of year. Another BAU team were making a press conference about the killer, I couldn't help but question how anybody could be that cold. I was a common thief I never took anything from anyone that couldn't be replaced, I only took material things.
That's when it hit me. If I could find this guy before the feds did, I would have some kind of leverage. Time to call an old friend. I dialed the number and waited "Kate, I need a favor. I need you to get your hands on anything you can pertaining to that Santa Claus killer plaguing DC"
"Santa Claus killer, you know he's not real right?"
"Kate. The killer isn't targeting real Santa's. He's targeting the fat men who ask for money for charities… the ones who dress like jolly Saint Nick" I said with a sigh.
"You do realize tomorrow's Christmas Eve right?"
"I don't have time for this Kate… just get me what you can"
"Shouldn't you be worrying about the feds that are looking for you?"
"Just do it Kate" I snapped and hung up the phone.
Now all I had to do was ensure that I had the upper hand and catch this creep before the BAU does. I have to call Kate back.
"I don't have it all yet"
"It's okay Kate, send me what you have so far… I need you to get me information on all the agents working the case as well, okay. Everything. Not just what you find in their files… any dirt you can give me"
"You got it Love, now let me get back to work"
A few minutes later I had an email with some evidence reports, Investigator's notes, Autopsy report and a preliminary profile. I spent every minute of the next 36 hours going over everything repeatedly, trying to find something, anything. After exhausting every ounce of energy I collapsed onto the bed falling asleep almost instantly. When I awoke it was after dusk and I felt refreshed.
As I was pouring my coffee I began thinking about the profile. The profile said the 'unsub' was a narcissist, he was strong, worked alone and had a private space near the crime scenes where he could torture his victims before dumping them back where he found them. And he was ordinary… you wouldn't see him as a threat. And that's when it hit me… behind the shopping mall where the most recent victim had been grabbed was a scrap yard for old cars. Jamie used to ship parts to different shops across DC and sometimes down to Tampa when he knew the cops were going to raid the garage. To access the yard from the shopping center was fairly easy. There was a fence, and a series of train tracks but once you get past the tracks the auto yard was right there. It was a long shot but I had to check it out.
I was in such a rush to check out the scene that I missed the report on the TV about the killer grabbing another victim.
When I got down to the scrap yard I found the place to have an eerie feeling to it. And generally speaking I like anywhere that cars can be found. But this place was down right creepy. Then I heard yelling… this had to be the place.
I grabbed my phone dialing the FBI hotline number. "I'm down near the Richdale Auto Yard, I heard yelling… it sounds like there's a man in trouble. I thought it might be that serial killer you've been looking for" With that I hung up and entered the scrap yard grabbing a pipe off the ground. Not ideal but without a gun it was the best I could do.
Now to get that leverage I so desperately need.
