Chapter 4

Rossi looked down at the woman laid on the cold slab on the ME's table her couldn't help staring at the face, her complexion, he looked at her fingers the shortness and rough edges told him she bit her nails, long dark hair which just past her shoulders, the resemblance was uncanny. If Rossi didn't know any better he would have laid money down that it was Emily he was looking at, everything about her screamed the young dark haired profiler.

He knew where the Agents where going as he made his way back towards his hunting ground. This alleyway was his true domain he knew it better than anyone, which doorway would shelter him the best, which stairwell would give him the best view, the last thing he wanted was for either of them to see him. From where he was stood he was able to hear everything and see everything it was as though he was a ghost and that had always been his plan, over the past few months he had learnt how to become invisible to people. It had taken him a while; a few victims had gotten away as they spotted him in the shadows but now he had perfected it.

He listened as they both talked about the crime scene and how they tried to replay what had happened, but as he listened he zoned out his eyes solely fixated on her, she wasn't like the rest, there was something more elegant about her, he watched how she moved and how her voice sounded. A sly smile took over his lips as he envisioned what it would be like to touch her, to hold her, to make love to her. This was the only true feeling he had, had in these past few months. The numbness he had felt since Casey died was coming back slowly. The only time he came out of his trance was when he heard them say about heading back to the station.

He would have followed but as he watched them walk back towards the SUV he felt the hardness in his pants, with the need to relive himself he allowed them to go without him following he would go to the station and wait for them to leave later, there was only a few places they would be able to stay since there weren't many hotels or motels in the area and he already knew a few were fully booked.

Reid and JJ had managed to sort through most of the evidence, each file in order of death, Reid had pinned the map onto the board but with two location he knew he wouldn't be able to do a geographical profile, rows of shops and houses covered the area, bars and local nights clubs which led into the alleyway in which the male victims were found.

JJ started to pin the pictures and names of each victim on the other board. There was nothing similar with them other than the way in which they had been attacked, the assaults on the male victims had become worse and the same with the female victims, the murders weren't spaced in any order more males than females.

"The way the space between each attack seems oddly placed there are less female victims than males." JJ mused slightly.

Reid turned and looked at her. "The only conclusion is that there were no females in that alleyway or they aren't his type. Each female has similar features, slender build, brown hair, neither one dressed as a prostitute although we know four of the victims were prostitutes though that doesn't help, unless he thought the others were." Reid said just as Morgan and Emily walked into the small room.

Emily didn't really speak as she sat down opening the file in front of her. "What did you find?" JJ asked softly.

"Consistency" Emily said softly.

Reid frowned "What do you mean?"

Emily gave a soft smile. "The male victims were murdered in the exact same spot and the same with the females,"

Morgan sat across from her. "Where each of the bodies were found were near a stairwell, which would give cover in the dark, I doubt anyone would have seen the unsub until it was too late. I get us all a coffee Hotch and Rossi should be back soon, Reid come and give me a hand."

And with that they left the room heading towards the small kitchenette, JJ watched Emily for a moment before she spoke. "You know I'm here if you need to talk Em" JJ said before sitting down next to her.

Emily nodded slightly as she uttered her thanks, though her voice seemed empty as though life had been drained out of her. Emily closed her eyes. It wasn't something she wanted to talk about, she was confused questioning everything she knew about herself analysing each thing that surrounding her. She cast a glance at JJ but instead of looking away their eyes seemed to lock with one another. JJ couldn't help but frown as she watched Emily turn away she had seen something deep in those deep chocolate brown eyes.

"Has Garcia managed to find out anything else?" Emily asked as she flicked through the pages in front of her. Even though she had seen most of the files already she wanted to go through them again making sure she hadn't missed anything, and being able to look at the evidence that she hadn't seen when the consults had landed on her desk helped as she looked for something to tie the murders together.

"Not yet she in still running the searches, they are cross matching the DNA found on the female victims." JJ said, her voice seemed softer to Emily's ears as she looked up at her.

"If the DNA is the same on each victim." She paused mid-sentence as she pulled her phone out hoping they were still at the morgue as the idea floated through her mind.

"Rossi are you still with the ME?" Emily asked not giving Rossi a chance to respond, she smile slightly as he confirmed they were. "I know this may sound like a long shot, but can you ask if there is any chance of DNA on the genitals, please, also asked them to recheck the zip and buckle on their pants" JJ couldn't help but frown as Emily spoke.

"What are you thinking?" JJ asked.

"The unsub would have had to expose them, they were treated like trash, and I doubt the unsub used gloves so I am hoping he caught himself on the zip" Emily said as she smiled. "It's a long shot but worth it if they manage to find something."

It wasn't long before Rossi and Hotch made their way into the small room, a coffee waiting for them both, Rossi couldn't help the chuckle as he picked up the warm mug taking a much needed drink, "Talk about timing" Rossi mused as he sat down. He couldn't help but cast a glance at Emily grateful that she was truly there and not on a cold slab in the morgue.

For the next few hours they went through each file, the only true consistency was the blow to the back of the head although the woman are all the same type.

"I don't think he's choosing the alleyway because of ease." Emily said as she closed the file.

"What makes you say that Prentiss?" Morgan asked.

"If he was choosing it because of ease it wouldn't just be these two alleyways he is killing in, from what officer Thomas has told us this isn't the only alleyway that prostitutes use, there are at least six frequented by Jons and prostitutes, So why these two alleyways, why not the others?" Emily asked.

"There must be some reason," JJ muttered.

"Ask Garcia to run a search and see if anything has been reported in the past six months" Hotch said

Morgan picked up his phone as he waited for it to be answered, "How may I service you my sexy chocolate thunder" Garcia said as she answered the phone.

Emily couldn't help laughing giving a slight smirk, "You're on speaker Garcia" Morgan said through a grin.

"Well in that case how can I assist my Angels?"

"Can you run a search and see if you can find out if anything happened in the two alleyways that the victims were found in, go back six months." Morgan asked.

"For you anything my love" Garcia replied before cutting the call.

"Drug test or de-caff?" Rossi asked.

"Both" Hotch replied causing the rest of the team to chuckle.

"We will present the profile in the morning, it has been a long day, let's go and get something to eat and then head back to the hotel." Hotch said closing the case file in front of him.

The team was grateful they had been going for the past six hours without stopping and that didn't include the flight there. They headed out of the station each getting into two SUV's leaving the other vehicle at the station; they all knew they could get called out in the early hours of the morning although it was always Morgan and Emily that took the call. Which meant the rest could head to the station together or one of the local Leos would pick them up if needed.

He watched as they all left before climbing into his car and following them slowly careful not to be seen, all he needed to do now was figure out what room they were all in and more importantly what room the striking brunette was in. He was thankful they were staying in a hotel where he was good friends with one of the porters. All he would need to do is give him some money for the info.

Then he just needed to be able to get her alone.