Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
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Dean Hay watched as the conservative looking man he'd seen in the newsletter walked into Lombard Middle School to begin his day. This was his third day of staking out Eugene Kennedy. He'd found he had to watch them for a few days to get their routine. Knowing the victim's routine was important. Then he knew when and where was best to strike. His hands kept opening and closing into fists as the desire, no need, for the kill was getting stronger. He couldn't resist much longer. He couldn't stand another day of the insane roar of the motor from the street crew working further down the block.
Agent Derek Morgan didn't like the incessant roar of the motor either but it was necessary as he and Rossi, dressed in City of Baltimore coveralls and bright orange vests, used a truck on loan from the city to stake out their subject's stakeout. Hotch was in a car on a cross street by the school viewing Hay with binoculars while JJ and Prentiss had suddenly become new TAs for Eugene Kennedy. Reid spent his time cruising the hallways in work pants and a polo jersey in an attempt to look like the fill in for the school's custodian.
The team had informed Eugene Kennedy that they thought he was next on the killer's list. Kennedy was understandably alarmed and wondered why they didn't just arrest him if they thought he was the guy. Hotch had explained that without probable cause, they couldn't get the warrant to search Dean Hay's home and vehicle needed to gather evidence for an arrest. They had instructed Kennedy to go about his business as usual, that they had their eyes on him and Dean Hay.
"So, what are your usual plans for this evening?" Prentiss asked as she, JJ and Reid sat in the faculty lounge with Kennedy.
"This is the night I volunteer at a homeless shelter in DC. I help people who are going for their GED," the teacher replied.
"Not Samaritan House," Reid asked.
"Yes, how did you know?" the teacher replied.
"Someone I know has gone there. You must know Justin Wade?" Reid said.
"Yeah, I've known Justin for a long time. I'm good friends with his oldest sister, Sarah. We were in college together. She told me what Justin was doing there and it sounded like a great idea so I volunteer twice a month. You don't think I should still go, do you?"
"Yes, we think you absolutely should go," JJ replied as the door to the faculty lounge opened revealing a middle aged woman with curly blond hair.
"Hi, I'm Rose Highland, you've been expecting me?"
Morgan and Rossi loaded the hose from the manhole in the truck, replaced the cover and drove around the block where their SUV waited. They switched vehicles, whipped off their coveralls and headed back to the school in time for the last bell.
The doors opened and students started to flow out. Dean Hay could feel his muscles twitch in anticipation. It was almost time. The students dispersed to waiting school busses, cars with waiting parents, some took bikes from the stands near the school and headed off down the street while still others set off on foot, the joy that another school day had ended evident in their expressions. After the school yard emptied the teachers started to leave, one and two at a time. Finally Dean saw him as he approached his late model red Altima, clicked the remote and got in. Hay started the engine of his own vehicle, "At last, here we go."
The team followed Hay as he tailed the Altima through the Baltimore streets. Hotch would turn off, leaving Morgan and Rossi to follow in a different vehicle so that Hay wouldn't notice that he was being followed. When they reached Kennedy's street, Hay parked further down the street so he could observe his victim's movements without being noticed. The agents parked the three vehicles, one on Kennedy's street and one each on the two side streets with a view of the house and Hay.
Dean decided to stay until dark, thinking it was unlikely Kennedy would go anywhere after dark. Twilight was setting in when the door opened and he once again got into his car and headed, this time, for the beltway. Hay felt the excitement literally flow through his veins. This was it, he could feel it.
So, the convoy down the beltway began, the three FBI vehicles jockeying for position but still maintaining Dean Hay's Mercedes and Eugene Kennedy's Altima in their sights. Once they reached the city Hotch drove ahead to the shelter, leaving the other team members to keep track of the two vehicles.
"Eugene's car's in the small parking area behind the shelter, Hay's in the alley," Morgan relayed to the others. "I'm going to park by the deli across the street. We've got a good view of the alley and the parking area."
"We'll park on the street in front of the shelter," Prentiss replied.
"Woo hoo," Morgan said as Prentiss exited the vehicle. She'd changed from the suit she'd worn for her TA role into a black leather skirt that barely covered her butt worn over a siren red bustier topped with a black wool shrug that did little to protect her from the cool fall air. Her hair was a mass of curls and her makeup was heavy. She wore high boots that extended above her knees. "Prentiss, what have you been hiding girl?"
"Shut up Morgan. If my mother could see me now…" she whispered.
JJ's thoughts ran down a similar vein although she looked nothing like Emily in a baggy wrinkled coat with leggings that had holes in them. She carried a tattered shopping bag and matted grey hair replaced her usually well cared for blond locks. At least she was warmer than Emily, she thought.
Dean Hay watched as his target exited his vehicle and entered the shelter. The team could see the students gather and darkness began to descend as they first had dinner and then the lesson began. Reid was glad to see that Theresa was not one of the students this night. After about two hours the group started to break up. It took another thirty minutes for the students to disband. The team was alert. Now was the moment.
Dean Hay got silently out of his car and moved into the shadows as his quarry finally approached his car. He stealthily snuck from the shadows until he was right behind him, his adrenaline making his heart pump so loudly he was almost sure he could hear it. His hand tightened around the knife's handle impatiently waiting for the exhilaration and release he would feel when the knife penetrated Eugene Kennedy's flesh. He raised the knife above his head when he suddenly felt all the air rush out of his lungs as the man's elbow connected with his gut. Suddenly there were screams of "Federal agents, drop the knife." He looked around at the people all pointing guns and flashlights at him, two men in suits, one black guy in blue jeans and a tee shirt, a hooker and a bag lady. And his quarry wasn't Eugene Kennedy at all but a guy who looked like him. "Drop the knife and get on your knees," one of the voices said. He dropped the knife at his feet and fell to his knees. It wasn't supposed to end this way. His knee touched the handle in the darkness. He reached out with a swiftness he wasn't aware he possessed and grabbed the knife as the agents yelled for him to drop it and plunged it into the man's leg just as shots rang out and both Dean Hay and Spencer Reid fell to the ground.