Chapter 4 The Profile

That BAU team had arrived at the police station and quickly compared notes.

Martin Turrent's parents had come to the station and spoke with the agents. It was clear from their behavior they had emotionally separated from each other. Hotch had met with both and assured them that the team would do whatever it took to find the man that had killed their son.

Now the BAU was standing before the officers in the station's bullpen giving their profile.

"We believe our Un-Sub is a white male," Hotch began. "He will be in his late thirties to early forties. The ability to kidnap two boys at the same time requires patience along with physical strength placing him in this age group."

"He is a predatory abductor. There was a recent trigger that forced this Un-Sub to act on these impulses." Rossi continued.

"It is important right now that we maintain the police presence that is already established," Morgan said. "This will prevent the Un-Sub from moving and possibly taking action."

"This Un-Sub most likely has some kind of nest. It will be secret and secluded. This is to give him time and privacy." Reid continued. "Efforts should not be focused on finding this nest."

"With most abductions of this style, the Un-Sub would try to inject himself into this investigation. This will be in an effort to figure out what the police already know. It is actually unlikely that this Un-Sub will do this." Prentiss added.

"He was able to abduct Martin Turrent without raising an alarm or leaving evidence." J.J. continued. "This was not his first offense. He is an experienced criminal."

"That's great that he has mommy issues now how do we find this son of a bitch?" One of the officers blurted out.

"What did I say about your mouthing off?" Detective Williamson barked at the officer.

"Continue the search parties in the area," Morgan said.

"Look at individuals in the area with a violent criminal history, this includes stalking and trespassing." Hotch continued.

"With Martin Turrent he was unable to fulfill whatever fantasy he has. That is the reason why Adam and Michael were taken." Reid continued. "It is possible that the Adam and Michael are possibly fulfilling this fantasy to an extent. That is the reason why we haven't found them yet." He did not want to say bodies. But that was the truth.

"So you think they are still alive?" One of the officers said.

"We continue to operate under the assumption that they are alive until we receive evidence otherwise." Rossi flatly stated to the officer.

"This Un-Sub may be up against some kind of calendar. There is something in this Un-Sub needs to complete, some kind of a schedule. This may mean nothing to us, but it is everything for him." Hotch added as well. "Thank you."

The team went back to the work area that was provided for them.

Reid had already started a geographic profile. "The geographic profile is inconclusive," Reid admitted. "The town is small. The only thing I can determine is the hunting zone."

Prentiss and J.J. both looked slightly defeated. "We can't find any type of overlap between the victims. They went to different schools. Martin and Adam went to separate churches. Michael didn't go. Except for Michael and Adam, these boys probably never met."

"The only thing that they have in common is the town and their physical appearance," Rossi said.

"We are not doing anything here," Morgan said. He did not like only sitting around. There was not a reason to wait. They only had a limited amount of time to find the two boys.

Garcia had looked at everyone in the area with a violent criminal history. So far there were no red flags being raised.

The team had hit a brick wall.

Hotch understood that the team wanted to take action. At this point, they did not have any leads, or at least the team knew about. "Until we have something else, we will join the search teams," Hotch stated.

He delegated the BAU team to different groups. At the very least they were extra manpower to help the local officers.

It also gave him an opportunity to separate Reid from the rest of the team.

Hotch had observed Reid since the alley. The genius clearly knew that there was something going on. Reid had seen the difference in his actions.

What Hotch also knew was that Reid had wanted to ask him about it. However, Hotch didn't know how to address it yet. He would have to say something, a cover, to the genius or tell him the truth.

Another reason that Hotch wanted to divide Reid was that he would bring up what had happened in the alley to someone else on the team.

The team would discuss the behavior and while there was an agreement that they wouldn't profile each other, it still happened.

Reid and Hotch headed towards the southern portion of the town.

In the SUV, Reid kept looking at Hotch. He wanted to say something, but he didn't know what or how.

Hotch was still at a loss for words. He still did not know what to say to pacify Reid. Hotch would need to figure out an answer soon.

They continued in an uncomfortable silence towards the wooded area.

There were a few back roads in that area. While the local police force was dedicated, they would be strained in resources in the area.

It was also not far from where Martin Turrent's body had been found.

They continued down a dirt road, that could only be taken by an SUV or a truck. They had left the service road over a mile behind.

Suddenly, Hotch stopped the SUV. He jumped out and let his senses open. He could smell it. The damn werewolf was marking his territory, just like it had marked the alley by the theatre.

Reid had immediately jumped out of the vehicle as well. He looked to see what had caused the reaction from the unit chief.

Hotch disregarded Reid as he continued to open his senses and smell the area.

The team had met Martin's parents. Hotch knew what Martin's scent would be like. He was smelling that now, mixed with the same werewolf that he smelled before.

As far as Hotch was concerned this was damning evidence for the werewolf. The worse part was that he was only one on the team that was truly prepared to take on a fellow werewolf. He could train anyone on his team in a matter of few days. This would be after they came to terms with what existed in the world.

Hotch considered the fact that the werewolf had marked his territory here and at the theatre. This was a behavior that occurred with werewolves that chosen to abandon their human roots and follow with their wolf tendencies.

In past cases, this had not been an issue. Usually, this had been individuals that had disappeared off the face of the earth. Werewolves that did this generally didn't cause harm to others. This was how they wanted to live. They were not known to commit criminal behavior.

Hotch turned to Reid. "I need to talk to you about this case."

"I know we are not supposed to be profiling each other. You are holding something back from the team about this case," Reid said.

He was really starting to become more direct with the team, even with Hotch. This was far different from the Reid that Hotch first met.

"Reid, listen to me, there is something that you need to know about me." Hotch stated. "Do you know about Lycanthrope?"

"Yeah, the debunked psychological theory," Reid said wondering why Hotch would bring that up. He had quickly started in a rant about the bogus science that created the absurd theory.

"No, that was the official story, it was made up. That was why it was debunked so quickly," Hotch explained.

"Why are you talking about this right now?" Reid asked.

"The Un-Sub is a werewolf. I know because I am one too." Hotch flatly stated.

"Hotch," Reid was experiencing something that he rarely had. He was stumped for anything to say.

"I smelt him in the alley, along with the smell of fear. His smell his here. He has marked his territory. I can also smell what has to Michael Turrent." Hotch stated.

Hotch had kept his Ray-Bans on. When he let his senses go, his eyes were changed.

"He's close," Hotch stated. "This is his comfort zone. We need to move now. I don't have time to brief you, except forget whatever nonsense you may have read. If he even looks like he is going to attack, or his eyes change, just shoot."

"What do you mean change, how would I know?" Reid asked still processing the information.

"His eyes," Hotch said removing his Ray-Bans.

Reid stared wide-eyed. Hotch's eyes were glowing red. "If he fully changes, let me fight him, just get away."

Hotch regained control of his wolf and his eyes went back to the normal color.

Reid nodded in understanding, It was the only response that he could muster.

"The smell is coming from that direction." Hotch indicated.

The two got back in the SUV and started off in the direction that Hotch had indicated.

"I'll call the team and let them know." Reid said pulling out his phone.

"Garcia," he called. "We have a lead. Keep tracking our phones. Let the rest of the team know where we are." He hung up before she could ask any questions.

Hotch and Reid drove further up the road.

Reid tried to covertly stare at Hotch. There were so many questions that he wanted to ask. He did not know where to start.

He had seen Hotch's eyes change back to the glowing red and remain that way.

"I'm using my wolf senses. My eyes, werewolves eyes, change when they do." Hotch answered the unspoken question.

Reid still didn't speak.

"I am another wolf. The Un-Sub's focus will be on me." Hotch stated. "We need to keep his focus on me."

"Will you . . ." Reid started. "Change?"

"Yes," Hotch answered. "If he does, I will too. I have chosen not to give into the change. I actually haven't in some time."

The two spotted what looked like an abandoned house with a barn up ahead.