Thank you for the reviews for the last chapter. I'm sneaking this up in between lessons as I have a parents' evening tonight so won't be home until late! I think I have caught up with review replies, apart from chapter 20, which I'll try to do in between appointments with parents!

Hope you enjoy, and thank you to Chiroho for the beta!

Humanity

"Every time we choose safety, we reinforce fear."

- Cheri Huber

Chapter Twenty-One

"Spring Hill Nursing Home," JJ said. "It's about forty minutes drive from here. Local officers are there now." There was a chorus of clicks as seatbelts were fastened, the only noise in a cold morning's silence. A pale blue sky had been overhead, its colour washed with frost. In the distance there were yellow clouds that promised snow, and JJ wondered what her chances were of taking some personal time and going somewhere sunny for a few days, a place with a temperature that was above freezing. The thought almost warmed her and was only disrupted by the sound of Reid's stomach rumbling beside her. She would have smiled, but the reason for their destination had taken any humour away half an hour ago when they had received the call from Detective Barry that another elderly man had been murdered, and that it tallied with their victims. Breakfast had been abandoned, as had that last ten minutes of sleep, and now they all sat bleary eyed and exhausted in two vehicles, heading out to a place that really was the back end of beyond, and another crime scene that shouted out loud about the UnSub's control. He was still several steps ahead, and they were yet to even begin to catch 's cell rang and Penelope's voice rang out into the car. JJ noticed she sounded tired, and she wondered if she'd been up most of the night chasing information on Lee Ashley. "Hey," she said, without her usual boisterous greeting. "I've found a connection between Lee Ashley and this latest vic. Dr Gerrard McAllister would probably have been the childhood doctor for Lee Ashley when he lived in Willow Springs."

There was a second of silence while they processed that information, tired brains switching on and using the reserves that JJ knew everyone had, needed to have.

"Garcia, exactly what have you got on Lee Ashley?" Hotch said. There was something new in his voice, something that JJ hadn't heard before;, or if it wasn't something new, she hadn't heard it for a while, years perhaps.

"He was born in 1971 in Huntington, Emery County. His mother is a Leah Ashley – I'm running searches for her as we speak – and his father is a Graham Rothwell. He didn't seem to stick around, or I'm presuming he didn't as Leah Ashley had several convictions for prostitution and possession between 1974 and 1982. She served a prison sentence in 1981 for the former, but after '82, there's little on her that I've found so far," Garcia said, her words hurried.

The car slowed as Hotch braked for traffic lights, an old lady with a walking frame crossing the road. She eyed them almost accusingly, nearly making JJ feel like laughing.

"Any information on Ashley's medical records?" Hotch said, picking up speed once more.

"Nada," Garcia said. "I deduced the connection between him and the doctor because of where McAllister's practise was, and the fact that it was where Mulliner said he'd killed that poor woman. Here we go, cyber space does hold some information on Lee Ashley: he graduated high school in 1989 and went to John Brown University where he studied chemistry. This was paid for by his grandfather and grandmother whom he lived with from the age of six. I just love it when schools get the undergrads to upload all their old documents!"

"Any more, Garcia? Are his grandparents still alive?" Hotch said. JJ could see his eyes in the rear view mirror, and could guess at his thoughts.

"Not yet, but worry not. In less than two licks of a racoon's tongue I shall have more. Sayonara!" The line went dead and silence resumed, this time filled with thoughts rather than exhaustion.

"What's betting he was abused by his grandfather?" Emily said. JJ saw her looking at Hotch rather than out of the window, her stare telling. "And then it's like we said before – he's punishing the people he thought could have helped."

"If his degree was chemistry then there's a chance he would have gone on to pursue a career in pharmacy," Reid said, pushing his hair behind his ears. It was a habit he'd been developing for a few weeks and it was beginning to irritate JJ. "In which case he would have had access to insurers databases."

"Then why have all of his victims been in care homes or assisted living accommodation?" Emily said. "Surely not everyone who he regards as having failed him isn't living independently?"

JJ saw a child they were passing fall over and begin to cry. The sight made her think momentarily of Henry, and a pang for him flushed her chest. "Maybe he has a thing about care homes," she said. "He may see himself as doing them a favour by getting them out of there."

Another pause caused her to wonder if she had said something remarkably stupid. If so, she could just about blame it on her post-pregnancy brain.

"Then why such brutal attacks?" Reid said. "If he sees himself as an angel of mercy, then his method of murder would be much gentler."

"Confusion," Emily said as Hotch picked up speed. Rossi and Morgan were slightly ahead and it seemed Hotch was keen to catch up with them, arriving at the home at the same time. "He may have a dual motive. Punishing them, as well as putting them out of their misery."

"Which is why he didn't kill his first few victims," Hotch said. "He wanted to make them suffer, and wasn't concerned about ending their suffering. Something changed with Marjorie Heys that made him decide to kill her too. We need as much information on Lee Ashley and his background as possible. Once we've seen the crime scene, Prentiss and I will head over to Willow Springs. There will be people there who still remember him."

A shrill ring flooded the vehicle once again, Garcia's voice following. "The mistress of miracles has done her job," she said, and JJ could hear the smile she had on face right now. "Grandfather Ashley, otherwise known as Calvin Ashley, died in April 2007 in Mount Tucaro Care Home in Tooele County. He was receiving palliative care for lung cancer and, from his medical records, he did not have a pleasant last few months. His wife, Alicia Ashley, is still alive and living in Perry. I'm sending an address to you right now."

"Anything else on Lee himself?" Hotch said. "Last known address?"

"All of his bank accounts and credit cards were closed in November 2007. He withdrew everything, which was substantial, and I cannot find anything with his name since then. I suspect he's assumed a false identity and has been using cash. He would have had enough to live on for several years if he lived fairly modestly." Keystrokes could be heard in the background and JJ wondered, not for the first time, if Garcia did actually have two brains that could work simultaneously.

"Where did his money come from, Garcia?" Reid said, leaning forward into the space between Hotch and Emily.

"He was left nearly two hundred thousand dollars by his grandfather's brother, John Ashley, in 2002. He had already saved eight thousand dollars prior to receiving his inheritance. From what I can gather, he lived frugally, had no family, no addictions, and no property," she said. "He ended any investments he had, although I would suspect he took a false identity and reinvested. He had the money and brains to turn himself into whomever he chose."

"Any chance you can find out who that is Garcia?" Hotch said. JJ recognised a lilt to his voice that suggested optimism.

"It's going to take a while to do that, if it can be done. I'll get on it now. Over and out."

A few moments later and JJ saw the sign for Spring Hill Care Home, followed by a series of buildings interlinked by passageways with large windows, designed to let in as much light as possible. There were several police cars there already, as well as a van belonging to the crime scene techs. Hotch pulled up behind Rossi and JJ got out, surprisingly glad of the fresh air after being inside the car. Any hunger pains had subsided, the adrenaline of a break through fending them off.

Detective Barry walked towards them, his expression grim, and she was sure that he had more grey hair than he'd had yesterday. "It happened between three and six this morning," he said. "Dr McAllister was checked on at two-fifty AM according to Declan Milligan's records. When Declan and Rosalie Barnes went to wake him at just after six they found..." Detective Barry shrugged. "Well, you'll see what they found." He turned and walked back into the building, his shoulders sagging and his head angled downwards. JJ felt herself well with pity for the man, knowing how he must feel. The UnSub had broken out of his usual timeframe, which meant his behaviour was escalating and he would become harder in some ways to predict. Although they could predict that it was likely to get bloodier before it got better.

She hung back a little as they stepped inside –viewing the crime scenes was not part of her job description. It was at this point she felt relief that she was the media liaison officer and not a profiler, as she would be able to talk with the care home manager instead of go into the room where Dr McAllister had been.

Emily turned and gave her a wistful look as she walked away with Hotch, Rossi, Reid and Morgan, a conversation about the shortened length of time between attacks already in progress. JJ flickered a half smile her way, and felt a longing for an evening where no cases were on their mind, and maybe the two of them could kick Will out for the night and share a pizza and a bottle of wine, or several, without worrying about having to get up for work in the morning.

Exhaustion shuddered through her like an earthquake, and she fought hard to hold herself together as a sobbing care worker walked passed. The manager looked little better. Her face was freshly washed, and her eyes red rimmed. Her hair was dishevelled and JJ figured that she had been summoned into work whilst still asleep.

"Marnie Leamington?" JJ said, giving her the most sympathetic look she could etch onto her face right now. "I'm Jennifer Jareau. Can we go somewhere a little more private?"

Marnie nodded, gesturing behind the desk to a small office. "In here," she said. "I have a kettle and coffee, and could really do with a caffeine fix right about now."

JJ gave her another watery smile. "Coffee sounds great," she said, following her into the tidy room. It appeared to be a place where relatives of residents might come, judging by its cosiness and comfort. A leaflet on dealing with the loss of a loved one sat on the table.

Marnie moved it as soon as she saw JJ spot it. "I don't think I can handle seeing that today," she said. "Detective Barry sent one of his officers to Dr McAllister's son, to inform them of the news. I'm dreading the repercussions."

"Are you the owner as well as the manager?" JJ said, the kettle beginning to boil.

Marnie nodded. "It's mine and my husband's business. Both our parents needed caring for, so we used the money they had given us to buy this place and then it gradually became what it is today. I have three managers, but still like to keep involved," she looked at JJ. "My parents and Josh's passed away years ago now. We keep joking that we'll have to pay for a place here ourselves soon."

"So far the media aren't aware of what's happened," JJ said, "but that's unlikely to last for very long. I'll prepare a statement for you, because at the moment we need to do our utmost to protect the investigation, and that includes what we say to the media."

Marnie nodded. "Milk? Sugar?" she said, holding up both items.

"One sugar." Usually it was none, but she felt a little shaky having not yet had breakfast. The coffee was instant, but JJ didn't care. It was the first drink she'd had since waking up, and she was simply glad of its warm sweetness.

There was silence until two cups of coffee had been set down on the table, and Marnie had taken a seat facing JJ. "Dr McAllister was forthcoming about his life. He was compos mentis; still read the newspapers and listened to the radio. He talked about what was happening to the old folk who had been attacked, and he said to me just a week or so ago that he could see it being a patient of his from years ago."

"I laughed, and paid it little attention, Agent Jareau, putting it down to an old man's ramblings. He talked of being in Willow Springs and there being a boy there who hated everyone. Dr Mac said he'd always felt sorry for him, as his grandfather, who was the boy's guardian, was a beast of a man, and he suspected that there was abuse taking place. I asked him why he'd never reported it, and he'd said simply, 'How can you report something for which there is no proof?' I should have pressed him for more information, but his granddaughter was getting married and he was so excited that I forgot all about it. And now this," her gaze went to the open door.

"Did he mention a name?" JJ said, wondering if what they had was about to be triangulated.

Marnie nodded. "Lee, that's what he said the boy was called. It's an innocuous name. You think it could be him?"

"We have to look into all possibilities," JJ said, sipping at the coffee. Familiar footsteps made her ears prick up and Rossi peered into the room. She stood, knowing by the look on his face that something urgent had come up.

"JJ," he said. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I've just had a phone call from Amelia James. We need to go."

Hotch watched with despair as the silver ring was taken from under the now deceased's pillow and placed in an evidence bag. The breakthrough they were making with Lee Ashley was being negated by his devolution. He was speeding up. If a hit list did exist, then Ashley was aware that time for him was running out. If Dr McAllister was the last on his list, then he could simply go to ground and remain free, change his identity, and move somewhere new.

"We need to get over to Willow Springs," he said to Emily, whose expression mirrored his. Morgan and Reid were outside, looking at the point of entry and assessing how the UnSub had managed to remain unseen.

Technically, now they had a name and details, they could go back to Quantico. The profiling job was done, but the killer was not yet caught, and their skills could be used to track him down. "The more we know about his background the better we can predict who he might be targeting next."

Emily nodded. "We need to speak with his grandmother as well. Perry's about a half hour drive from Willow Springs. We could head there after Willow Springs, and leave Morgan and Reid here."

For an instant he bristled at her suggestion, the brief thought that she might be using her relationship with him to influence how a case was run being quickly discarded by the knowledge that this was what she normally did, what Rossi did too, and he cursed his paranoia. "I agree," he said, casting her a quick glance to check that she hadn't read his thoughts. "This scene's very much the same as the others." If anything, it was slightly less awful. Dr McAllister's death had been swift, and there was less mutilation afterwards. Nor had he been raped.

"Maybe our UnSub had less reason to want to punish Dr McAllister," Emily said, her face lit up by the flash from the crime scene tech's camera. "It's possible that the letter his family will receive will shed some light onto why he wanted to do this to him."

"My only concern is that by the time we get the letter it may be too late for someone else," Hotch said, beginning to make his way out of the room and into the corridor. "Time is becoming more of the essence." Emily followed him out and he saw her shudder slightly, giving a quick glance around the light filled place. They were in the annex, a part of the home where several of the care workers refused to go alone, especially during the night, or in the early hours of the morning.

He was a sceptic about such things, but the atmosphere in this part of the building was one he didn't like. He put it down to the associations the annex had: death and loneliness, but there was some else there as well. However, now was not the time to consider such matters. "You okay?" he said to Emily.

She nodded, her eyes telling him that she was not. Without considering the gesture too much, he placed an arm around her waist knowing no one was around to see it. It was a stolen moment, but one that poured a little light into his soul.

Morgan and Reid were waiting for them in the reception, both looking grim. He understood how they were feeling. Only in the past twenty-four hours had they found a name for a suspect, and now he had broken his usual rules of time and taken another life. It was almost as if they were being taunted by him.

"Emily and I are going to head off to Willow Springs," Hotch said, feeling his cell beginning to vibrate in his pocket. He pulled it out. "Agent Hotchner." The line crackled as it had been doing recently. He made a mental note to get their cells replaced and to have the lines checked.

Detective Clegg sounded distant, and he could make out background noises that sounded like heavy traffic. She was in Salt Lake City, and it would now be rush hour.

When he hung up, he felt as dark as the reception had become now the sun was being blocked by a cloud. "Morgan, Reid," he said, putting his cell away. "Have Detective Barry get you back to Salt Lake City immediately. Marie Finlay's body has just been found in a dumpster four blocks from her apartment."

He saw the look of disgust and disappointment cross the faces of his team who were present, then dropped his eyes to the ground. He had given up many years of his life, his marriage, and precious time with his son for this cause, to find out how why another human would do such things.

He was still nowhere near finding an absolute truth.

Penelope Garcia was just about to place a last minute bid on a vintage monkey troll that reminded her of Agent Deraveaux who worked two floors up, when a familiar gurgling was heard from just outside her domain. She stood up excitedly, pushing her chair out of the way, and went to hold open the door for her unexpected visitor.

"Henry!" she said, crouching to give him a kiss. For a few more seconds she ignored his father, who was used to playing second fiddle to his son by now.

"Penelope," Will said, a note in his voice making her stand up, Henry now quite content to play with pink and silver hair accessory he had plucked from Garcia's head. "I need you to look at something."

She felt concern and apprehension rise inside her chest, and she gestured for him to enter her room, swiftly clicking a couple of keys to comply with the secrecy contract she'd signed.

"What is it? Is everything okay? Have you heard from JJ?" The questions poured out rapidly, her mind now in overdrive.

Will sat down on one of the office chairs, his expression confused. "I've received a letter," he said, opening the baby bag hanging on the back of Henry's stroller. "I haven't told JJ about it because she and the team are busy enough right now, and it's probably nothing, but I wanted your opinion." He handed her an envelope that had been torn open roughly.

Garcia looked at the front and noted that Will was the addressee. She pulled out paper that was standard, used in offices throughout the state, and read what had been printed on it. She raised a hand to her mouth and subdued a slight cry as its meaning became clear.

"I think it isit's an empty threat, Pen, and it's the first one that's been sent," Will said. "It came through the mail yesterday. I just wondered if any more had been sent to the rest of the team."

Shaking her head, and controlling the slight shake in her hand, she slipped the letter onto the scanner and uploaded it onto her system. "Have you told anyone about this?" she said, rather hurriedly.

"No. I read it last night when I got home from being out all day with Henry. It seems like a joke, rather than a serious threat," he said. "But I still couldn't sleep. I've not said anything to JJ, Pen. She's exhausted, and this would only cause her to worry."

Garcia thought quickly. Letters like this weren't uncommon. Unfortunately, psychos had fans, fans who wanted someone to blame for their perceived injustice, and would therefore send empty threats to the people that had helped put their 'hero' away. But all the threats were taken seriously and looked into, and she would pass this on to the relevant team, just as she had seen Hotch do, but without worrying her team. They needed to focus. When they returned home, that would be when they should know, unless Strauss deemed otherwise. "I'm going to give this to Agent Mansfield," Garcia said, feeling more assured than she had done a few seconds ago. "He looks into threats such as these. I'll ask him to have someone check on everyone's apartment, make sure that things are as they should be, and you just keep yourself and this little man safe."

Will nodded. "Thanks, Pen," he said. "Are you going to tell Hotch?"

She tipped her head to one side. "Maybe," she said. "I'll see what Agent Mansfield says." Feeling better, she crouched back down onto Henry's level and began to indulge herself in his giggles, managing to record one burst of laughter so she could play it back whenever she needed reassurance that there was still love in the world.

Please send a review – it'll help get me through a tedious evening of telling parents exactly how their little Jimmy is doing!!

Sarah x