The look on Malcolm's face was what made him realize how bad things were. It was a look that mirrored one that Gil would give him sometimes. One that spoke about how what he did was dangerous. That it could have completely harmed him if he wasn't careful. Something Raphael would have found absolutely hilarious. Would have.

If it weren't for the fact that it was directed at him.

Giving a nervous smile, Raphael held his hands up. In a low voice, he said,"Please don't be mad at me."

"I just thought that Dr. Whitly could help us with this situation.",Raphael continued. Feeling that maybe Martin would help figure out Raphael's killer. Like where the killer was and what the Hangman was doing. Chewing his cheek, Raphael asked,"I guess it wasn't the wisest decision, was it?"

"Not really, Raph.",Malcolm answered. Getting up from his chair and setting his hands on his hips. Keeping the stern look on his face as he did so. Annoyed with the fact that his favorite character did this. As the criminal profiler had wanted to do this without Martin. Figure out the Hangman from his own point of view. And figure out his real name since Raphael's brother only knew his fake name before killing the Hangman. Shoving the thought aside, Malcolm stated,"I really would prefer to do this without Dr. Whitly's assistance. And I'd really prefer it if he hadn't been involved."

"I suppose it can't be avoided now. But in the future, we need to not let him in more of this.",Malcolm added. Which Raphael nodded his head in agreement. Wanting to respect the criminal profiler's feelings. And completely understanding why he would want to keep Martin Whitly away. After all, if he were the child of a serial killer he'd want to keep him an arm's length away. Or longer. No matter what information Martin could offer them. Taking a deep breath, Raphael stated,"I'm sorry, Malcolm. I wasn't really thinking when I agreed."

"I promise that it won't happen again.",he added. It wouldn't. As Raphael didn't want to make things more difficult for the criminal profiler. Especially, when Raphael figured that he wouldn't be around for much longer. Feeling that after Malcolm solved his case, he'd go back to where he came from. Or at least that's what he thought. Instead of voicing this, he toyed with his hoodie jacket. Patting the pockets to see if his wallet was in them.

It wasn't.

Malcolm accepted his apology as he put the rest of his burger in his sparse fridge. Mentally making a note to go grocery shopping sometime later. As he doubted that Raphael was a huge fan of seltzer water and licorice. And was pretty sure that Raphael would be with him for a while. In fact, part of him was pretty sure that his favorite character would be living with him permanently. Shoving this thought to the side, Malcolm said,"I'm glad that you gave us an hour at least. It's an hour to prepare you to speak with Dr. Whitly."

"What you should and shouldn't reveal to the Surgeon.",Malcolm added. Doing his best to not call the man 'Father' or 'Martin'. To show that he was absolutely serious on this matter. And to mentally distance himself from the man. Trying to emotionally distance himself as well. Which Raphael also could somewhat understand. Putting this thought to the side, Raphael asked,"Okay, so what should I be saying to him? And what shouldn't I be saying to him?"

"Don't give him any personal information about you.",Malcolm answered. Then told him to keep anything emotional to his chest. If Martin asks about his home life, like he had before. Not, to. Tell Martin absolutely nothing about that. Or anything about his family as well. Which Raphael nodded his head in agreement with. It sounded pretty much like common sense. After all, it would never be wise to let Martin know anything about his home life. Or anything that was personal. Then Malcolm added,"Just give him one word answers if necessary. Stay by my side through the whole thing."

"Please do not get within a few inches of Martin at all. Please?",Malcolm pleaded. Which Raphael quickly agreed to. As soon as they were done with the conversation, it was at least half an hour before they had to leave. So the pair hurriedly got ready to head out. Soon as they were ready, Malcolm called his usual ride out. Which came in a few minutes of the call. Both men hurried into the car to head out to Claremont. Slightly ready to see the Surgeon and tell him a small tidbit of what was happening. Raphael's heart pounding in his chest as he gripped his phone.

Soon as they were at Claremont, Raphael tried to keep his breathing steady. To try not to alert Malcolm to just how nervous he was to meet Martin. But the shorter man guessed that Malcolm could already tell. As he quietly told him that things were going to be fine. And that he needed to take a deep breath before they went in. Which Raphael did as he finally let go of his phone. Giving Malcolm the best confident smile that he could. Guessing that it was alright enough as the criminal profiler gave one back.

A few minutes later they were outside of Martin's room. Mr. David telling them everything that they needed to know. Well, tells Raphael what he needed to know. Not to give him anything sharp. Or paperclips. Not to accept anything that Martin gives him. And to not cross the red line as well. All of which Raphael nodded in agreement to as he opened the door. Revealing the room that housed the one and only Surgeon. Malcolm headed into the room before him. And Raphael followed a second later. A small smile came to his lips as he saw Martin seated a little bit away from him.

The man was facing the door with his own smile on his face. Malcolm stood between them and crossed his arms against his chest. Even though Raphael couldn't see his face, he could tell the taller man was uncomfortable. Mostly thanks to how his back was so tense. So he carefully wiped the smile off of his face as he stared at Martin. Martin stated,"Hello, Raphael."

"Hello, Dr.-Martin. Hello, Martin.",Raphael corrected himself. Noticing the slight annoyance that had crossed Martin's face. Feeling immediately stupid for allowing himself to say that when Malcolm's back tensed more. And giving him a nervous grin when Malcolm turned back to him. Then turned himself back towards Martin. Setting his hands on his hips, Malcolm asked,"Alright, Dr. Whitly. What exactly do you want to speak to us about the Hangman?"

"Hangman? Quite the uncreative name, my boy. I suppose it isn't any worse than 'the Surgeon'.",Martin stated. Giving a small smile at Raphael. Making his stomach twist slightly as he tried to figure out why that was happening. Malcolm chimed in,"It's what he was called in the book, Dr. Whitly. I'm just calling him the name that was provided for us."

"So what exact theories do you have?",Malcolm insisted. Putting emphasis on the word 'exact' to get his point across. And using himself as a wall between the pair. Which was obvious to the both of them. Raphael didn't want to point it out. But, Martin couldn't let it be. Rolling his eyes, Martin stated,"Malcolm. Acting as a shield isn't going to help this conversation."

"It's going to just make talking about this Hangman a bit awkward.",he added. Raphael didn't see anything wrong with Malcolm's actions. But knew that Martin had a slight point. Just saw a different method. That if Martin didn't get a tiny bit of his way, he would stop speaking. Then neither Malcolm or Raphael would get the answers they needed. So, while taking a deep breath, Raphael carefully walked around Malcolm. Making absolutely sure to stay away from the red line. But near enough that Martin could properly see him. When he did, Martin gave a small smile of approval. Nodding his head slightly then glancing up at his son. Giving him a slightly gloating look. One that Raphael didn't really care for as he resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Instead, Raphael asked,"So, Martin. Any ideas you got about this Hangman? Like what do you think his reasoning for picking me is?"

"The reason is that our killer wants to feel big. That he wants someone to overpower.",Martin answered. Glancing the shorter man over with a thoughtful look. The killer wanted to feel big and powerful. Malcolm guessed that too. Mostly, from the descriptions of Raphael in the book. His height and other factors. Pushing this to the side, Malcolm stated,"Our killer might have an inferiority complex. Bullied for possibly being shorter than most and weaker."

"So in general he wants to hurt me to feel strong?",Raphael questioned. That seemed blatantly obvious to him. And probably was to the pair near him. Martin nodded his head at this. In a calm voice, Martin answered,"Yes. I believe our Hangman needs this feeling. Needs to have your life in his hands to feed his complex."

"Just how did he kidnap Raphael, if you don't mind me asking?",the Surgeon implored. Possibly to see where the Hangman's head was at. And to guess what his methods were like as well. Malcolm answered,"He put roofies in the energy drink that Raphael while he was in the shower."

That was terrifying. Spiking the energy drink he had with date-rape drugs. Waiting for Raphael to be alone and unable to hear him. Part of him wondered how long the killer had been watching him for. Just how long he learned Raphael's routine along with the rest of his housemates'. It made his stomach twist as Martin stated,"Needed him to be out cold in order to get him out. I'm guessing it was to be sure that no one would notice."

"He has neighbors that would have stepped in if Raphael had been screaming.",Malcolm stated. The neighborhood he lived in would've made it impossible for the killer to kidnap him without drugging him. Martin nodded his head at this, then he stated,"Well good thing you're at my son's home. It's harder to break in there and drug you."

"I'd recommend just sticking together or having him stay with some of your teammates.",he added. His nose crinkling at the thought of involving Gil. Or at least that's what Raphael felt. Instead of pointing this out, the shorter man turned to Malcolm. Malcolm nodded his head slightly at this information. Then he quietly stated,"It would probably be for the best."

"We definitely need to see the rest of the team now that you're awake.",Malcolm added. Quickly turning to the door near them and knocking on it soundly. Signaling to Mr. David that they were leaving. Raphael noticed the frown on Martin's face. But did his best to ignore it. As he felt that the Surgeon was doing it to get under Raphael's skin. Though in a very low voice, Raphael muttered,"Have a good night, Martin."

Then hurriedly followed after Malcolm to visit his team. Almost missing the strange smile that had been on Martin's face. A strange feeling stirring in his stomach. When they got into the car, Malcolm asked,"Have you seen anything odd in the past few weeks before this?"

"Anything at all?",he added. Raphael had remembered a few things of his being misplaced. And once finding footprints outside of his bedroom window. But nothing more than that. Hell, he hadn't even seen a glimpse of anyone strange. Shaking his head as he answered,"Aside from some of my stuff being misplaced. I only ever found a pair of footprints outside my window once."

"I thought that maybe it was a neighbor or my landlord or something.",he stated. Now that he thought it over, he realized it was more sinister than he thought. And definitely more of a warning as well. Raphael chewed the inside of his cheek at this revelation. Feeling cold as Malcolm gently gripped his hand. Squeezing gently as Malcolm assured,"It's okay, Raph. You're going to be fine."

"I'm here and my team wouldn't allow anything to happen to you.",Malcolm said. Raphael knew that. It still scared him that he hadn't seen the signs sooner. Taking a deep breath, he nodded his head slightly. Reminding himself that things were going to be fine. That he was going to be safe with these people. As they were fully capable people who were more than good at their job. Squeezing Malcolm's hand back, Raphael stated,"I know. It's still scary that I didn't even realize that someone was following me."

"I can't believe how oblivious I was.",he sighed. That was something that Malcolm understood somewhat enough. As he had neglected to see some things in his life. Not in the same fashion but almost the same. Shoving the thoughts to the side, Malcolm got his phone out. Pressing Gil's number in his contact list. Soon as Gil picked up, Malcolm said,"Hi, Gil. We'll be coming to you in a few minutes."

"We've got some ideas on Raphael's kidnapper and what he's like.",he added. Then told him that they didn't have a physical description yet. Since the Hangman's intended victim didn't see him once. Nor does he remember ever seeing the killer. Which was a bit frustrating but they hoped to get something off the car that Raphael was pulled out of. Fingerprints or anything else. Soon as they finished talking, their ride pulled up to the station and the pair hurried out.

Raphael kept very close to Malcolm. Not walking behind him as he feared someone would grab him if he did.

While they headed in, Raphael looked around in slight amazement. It was hard to fight the giddy smile as they walked. This was the single most scary and joyful thing in his whole life. Joyful thanks to the fact he was meeting Malcolm's team. Not all of it but enough of it. Scary thanks to the fact it wasn't under more pleasant conditions. Shoving these to the side, he crossed his arms tight against his chest as they made their way to Gil's office. Nearly dizzy with nervousness and excitement about actually being face to face with them.

That excitement was short lived when actually seeing Gil. Who had a look of concern on his face as they neared him. Which didn't fade as he got closer to Raphael. It took him a second to realize that his expression might be because of his body language. So he relaxed his arms as he tried to smile politely at Gil. Malcolm was the first to speak as he said,"It's okay, Raph. You're completely safe here."

"I know. It's...I really wish that things were well...better.",Raphael stated. A whole lot better. Putting this to the side, he held out his hand for Gil. Who took it with a small smile on his face. Giving the shorter man's hand a gentle squeeze. Gil assured,"I understand, Raphael. This is an uncomfortable situation and I don't know what I would do if I were in your shoes."

"But I assure you that you'll be safe with us.",he added. Putting his arm around Raphael's shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze. It made him feel somewhat safer. Gil pulled his arm back gently as they headed towards his team. Who were seated in the spot that was slightly familiar to Raphael. Dani was seated with a laptop. While J.T was chatting with her about the car. When the trio came in, they stopped and stared up at them. Gil put his hand back on Raphael's shoulder as he introduced his team. Then introduced Raphael to the team. Who gave him polite 'hellos'. J.T shook Raphael's hand as Gil let go of him. Heading over to Dani to see what she had so far. Dani showed him a few things that they had. Raphael asked,"So, do you have anything on the 'Hangman' just yet?"

"We have a few things and that's really all I'm allowed to tell you.",J.T answered. Which made Raphael internally sigh. But somewhat understood why he couldn't. Though he wished that they could tell him more. Instead of harping over this, he sat down in a nearby chair. Taking his phone out to see if he can use it for anything. Raphael was grateful that he could play his normal games on it. Deciding to play 'Granny'to take his mind off the situation at hand.

Just as he got half-way through the door ending, his phone rang. From a blocked number.

"Uhh...guys...I think our killer wants to talk?",Raphael offered. Or it could be a spam call. Though he highly doubted that as everyone in the room stared at his phone. Gil stated,"Put it on speaker when you answer it."

"But th-""Just trust me on this.",Gil interrupted. The urgency in his voice was enough to make Raphael do as told. Not wanting to argue with the man trying to help him. Soon as he did, the caller said nothing at all. All they heard was an obnoxious heavy breathing like in a horror movie. One that would have made Raphael roll his eyes at. If not for how serious this situation was. Instead, Raphael questioned,"Hello? Is someone there?"

"Hello?",he added. Hating how terrified he sounded to his own ears. It made him feel utterly weak. But it was enough to get the person to start speaking. In a creepy pleasant voice that sent a shiver down Raphael's spine. The person stated,"Hello, Raphael."

"Nice to finally speak to you."