A.N. - Jason Wright is portrayed, in my mind, by Jason Isaacs. Hence, I kept the English accent for the character. Enjoy!


Part IV

Emily followed Dave down the path towards the place where the last body was found.

Prentiss spoke her thoughts out loud as they walked over.

"This looks like a somewhat traveled path, most likely popular for runners, people walking their dogs, family outings…" She paused and took a look around. "It's a fairly wooded area, but not so much that you can't see beyond the path."

Rossi glanced around the area where he stood, having arrived where the body had been dumped.

"From here, I can see the path, but there's still not enough coverage for me to hide even if I were wearing, say, camouflage of some kind." He looked down at the ground and then pulled out the photo of the crime scene. "He placed her on her side, almost as though she were sleeping. Possible remorse?"

Prentiss nodded, acknowledging the possibility.

"Possibly. If he feels remorse, then maybe he had never intended to kill his first victim. Maybe, he had a connection with his first victim."

Rossi nodded.

"That's very likely. However, something's bothering me about this site…it's too close to the path. How did no one see him bringing the body here?"

Prentiss looked around and moved further down the path, trying to figure out if there was any possibility of not being seen. She changed positions on the path, but could not find a single position where it was possible to not see the site. And then something clicked.

"Rossi…maybe, we have this all wrong." He gave her a confused look as he emerged from the woods, and she explained.

"Look, we've assumed that they were already dead when he brought them here, but there was no sign of any physical abuse of any kind. In fact…" She paused, collecting her thoughts. "…They were practically spotless. No leaves in the hair, no grass on their bodies, no dirt…"

She turned around, facing the pathway as though imagining their unsub walking down the dirt trail.

"…Rossi...I think they were alive when he brought them to the dump sites."


JJ and Hotch walked back into the police station after the briefing that they'd given the press.

The sheriff strode up to them as they entered and cut them off.

"Uh, Agent Hotchner, Agent Jareau…Jason Wright, the Chief of Police, is here to talk to you. He's waiting in your conference room."

They nodded their thanks and headed to the room. This was always the hardest part. Talking to the family…JJ had years of experience with it, but she never enjoyed it. And it was even harder when they didn't even know whether or not the person was going to make it, if they were going to get there in time.

The Chief of Police stood as they entered and shook both of their hands.

"Agent Jareau, Agent Hotchner…so pleased that you and your team are here."

They were surprised when they saw and heard the man. Jason Wright had a distinctive English accent and was at least forty-five years old. That meant that the age difference between him and his wife was at least twenty years. The two agents exchanged a glance, and then sat down across from the man.

It was obvious that the chief was upset. He was wringing his hands and fidgeting, as though unable to sit still, classic signs of emotional duress.

Hotch started.

"Mr. Wright-"

But the chief interrupted. "Please, call me Jason."

Hotch nodded, and then he continued. "Jason…when did you become aware of the fact that your wife, Elaine, was missing?"

Jason ran a hand through his hair and then leaned forward in his chair, placing his arms on the table and linking his fingers. "Well, I had just gotten home from work and I headed to the back of the house, to the kitchen, as I always do when I come home…and then I noticed it."

JJ pressed gently. "You noticed what, sir?"

They watched as his brightened with moisture and he took in a deep steadying breath, obviously trying to control himself.

"She wasn't playing."

JJ and Hotch exchanged a confused look, but before they could ask him to clarify, he explained.

"My wife is a concert pianist, you see, and she always plays in the evenings. She does it because she knows that I love to hear her play, so she always plays the piano at the same time of day...when I come home from work…"

The two agents nodded, understanding.

"…It was quiet…" He paused. "That's how I knew that something was wrong."

He turned his eyes downward, and JJ averted her eyes, realizing that he was in pain and that he wasn't coping with it well. Suddenly, Jason stood and moved towards the door.

"Excuse, me…I need some air."

Hotch stood and walked over to him, asking him one last question. "Uh, sir, I have to ask…were the two of you having any problems in your relationship? Or have you had any problems?"

The chief gave him a knowing look, understanding what he was acting.

"Of course you would ask that…I'm a foreign, older man, nearly twice her age, so, of course, it would look...circumspect." He gave a sad smile. "I'm used to that. But the truth is, Agent Hotchner, is that Elaine and I are very happy with each other. Neither of our parents approved, but we made it work."

He cast a glance over to JJ and saw the look that Agent Hotchner cast to the female agent. Oh, he recognized that look.

Jason smiled to himself, and then nodded to the two agents and walked outside.


Part 4/?