Chapter 14

Compartmentalization was the key. Of course JJ had been threatened and all of them wanted nothing more than to fly out to Louisiana or where ever Will happened to be and arrest him, but they also knew that they had a serial killer on the loose and they had to catch him before anybody else fell victim to him.

Hotch could sense the team looking at him for direction, he could sense Detective Baleman's confusion and frustration, but what he could sense the strongest was JJ fear. This fear seemed to roll of in waves from the young liaison.

His job was to keep his team safe and focused, and he wasn't doing a very good job. All of that was about to change.

"I need you all outside," he said to his team, "Detective Baleman, please meet us put there in ten minutes."

Once the six of them made it outside Hotchner, turned to them. "I know things aren't easy right now," he said hesitating, "JJ, I promise you we will take care of Will, but are no good when we aren't focused. It isn't fair to this community and it isn't fair to you."

Running his hand over his face he continued, "right now LaMontage isn't an immediate threat," he said, putting his hand up to interrupt Morgan before he could even begin, "right now and for as long as it takes us to crack this case our focus has to be here."

"Jennifer," he looked at her, "you are to be in the presence on another member of this team at all times. Please, your safety is one of our main priorities and if we know you're ok, we can concentrate on solving this case quicker."

"I'm sorry guys," said JJ taking a step away from the team.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," said Rossi, "it's that bastard that'll be sorry."

Emily took a step closer to the blonde woman, "I won't let him hurt you Jay," she whispered to the blonde.

"No Emily," interrupted Hotch, "WE won't let him hurt you JJ"

"Now, I'll have Garcia trying to figure out what's happening in DC, if Will has something planned we will find out," he finished.

Somewhat appeased the team switched gears. At the same time Detective Baleman joined them.

"What have we got?" asked the lead agent.

"Including extended families, over 100 individuals within the Pittsburgh area were affected by that fire," answered Prentiss.

"So this unsub is targeting grief," concluded Hotch

"Grief?" asked Baleman.

Hotch needed to clarify, "An event."

Not far behind Rossi added, "A single event in this unsub's life led him to end the life of someone he believes had to die."

"From that moment on, he created his own sense of morality what is right and what is wrong and he rationalizes what he did, that first kill over and over again, by targeting people that he believes can't be saved by anyone other than himself.
He decides who lives and who dies, and this gives him an all-consuming sense of power," Rossi concluded.

"So they're not gonna stop anytime soon," asked Baleman.

"Well, that's assuming there's someone to actually stop. And if there is, he's convinced he's on a mission of mercy, and even after he's caught, he'll maintain he did nothing wrong," added Morgan, believing, for the first time that there might be an unsub.

"He?" asked the detective.

Without missing a beat Rossi replied, "White male, mid to late 30s, he's polite, forthcoming, Doesn't stand out."

"And we believe his victims, these families, Are all letting him in," added Prentiss.

Baleman shook his head as if he didn't understand something, "My brother and his wife weren't letting anyone in. If anything, they were closing themselves off."

Hotch hated when law enforcement was personally involved, "Well, this unsub has found a way in, One that's very hard to trace," he said to the detective.

Reid cut in, "In every case there was no evidence of a struggle, No attempt at escapes. He finds a personal connection and uses it to buy time."

"And my officers need to know this," affirmed Baleman.

Trying to find a delicate way of saying what he was about to say Hotch stuck his hands in his pockets, making eye contact with the detective he continued, "We've found that angels of mercy are often people in the medical profession, cops, as well as law enforcement." he said leaving a tense silence after his words.

"Which is why we're meeting out here," added JJ.

Knowing how this information could affect the law enforcement family of Pittsburg Morgan said quickly, "Now, we're only fishing. We don't want to point a finger."

"Point it," demanded the detective, "I don't give a damn."

"If that's what it's about," Hotch began, "Let us figure out where to point it."

After being lost in thought for the last few minutes, Reid added, "I asked Garcia to check into emergency responders around the scene of the fire."
"Good," commented the leader, seeing that Emily was about to say something, "Prentiss?" he inquired. "

He's smart. He knows all about these people's schedules, their routines," she mentioned.

Morgan still not completely sold on the idea said "Look, if this unsub does exist, this is a guy who's all about control. He chooses how they die, when they die.
He even positions them exactly how he wants them to die. That makes him hypervigilant, A guy who's always on the lookout, risk averse, unseen."

Surprising everyone JJ concluded, "The only way to stop him Is to find out how he's managed to get into all of his victims' lives. We find that out, we've got our killer."

Hotch confirmed what JJ was sayong with a nod, "we can start bringing people in, find the connection," he ordered

Wonderful, though JJ. I can barely hold myself together. It was then that she felt a soft hand slip in hers. She didn't have to look to know it was Emily. That simple gestured gave her the confidence and energy needed for this task.

Together they all began to walk back inside silently. It was Emily's voice that stopped her on her tracks.

"I am here for you Jennifer, when you are ready I'll be there for you."

She brought the older woman's hand to her lips and kissed it. That gesture was enough to convey her gratitude. With Emily next to her she could do anything,

Should I keep going? Please R&R!