I do not own Harry Potter, NCIS, or Criminal Minds.
WARNING: This case/killer is from my own twisted mind, not either show. Graphic descriptions of violence and blood.
Chapter 7
Aaron and Ianthe buckled their seatbelts, and Ianthe placed a large tupperware container on the table in front of her.
"What's in the box?" JJ asked, motioning to the large container.
"Oh. I had baked some biscuits to take to the lab, but since I came with you guys instead, I decided to bring them. Help yourselves. There are chocolate chunk, and peanut butter." Ianthe said absently, looking at the crime scene photo's intently.
"Thanks!" Several voices said, reaching for cookies.
After everyone settled, Hotch started the briefing. "Ok. So there have been five confirmed victims. All are men between the ages of 25-40. All live alone. Other than that, they run the gamut. Blond, brunet, big and small, black and white-there doesn't seem to be any other connection. At least that has been found at this time. The UnSub decorates the walls, with symbols, and pictures in the victims' blood. The designs are very precise, almost at a ruler's edge. No one can figure out how they are made. All of the victims have been bound with hemp rope, and had their throats or wrists slashed. Any insight?" He asked.
"Man, with some physical strength. Has stalked his victims to know their routine." Rossi said.
"Same age range as the victims." Prentiss said.
"There is another connection we are missing." Derek said.
"When can we expect the next victim?" JJ asked Hotch.
"Probably within the next two days." Hotch answered. He looked over at Ianthe, who was taking notes feverishly. "Any thoughts, Dr. Potter?" He asked her.
Ianthe looked up, noticing she was the center of attention. "I will need to confirm my thoughts by looking over the freshest crime scene. However, I believe he was lying in wait for the victims, for hours, setting the scene. He gained entry before they were home, and surprised them when they arrived. He will probably be carrying a small bag of supplies. I believe I know how he is making the designs, but that will be confirmed at the scene." Ianthe said.
"What is your theory? And why are you sure he is there for hours?" Spencer asked.
"I believe he is applying painter's tape to the walls, in a pre- decided design. Something this intricate would take a while to set up. The symbol that has been at all of the scenes is the Norse Rune for 'life', also known as Elhaz, or Algiz." Ianthe said, pointing to what looked like an upper case Y with the stem coming up between the V. "It is also inverted at the last four scenes. That changes the meaning from 'life' to 'death', or 'YR'. The UnSub either believes, or is stating, that he has control over life and death. He may have a degree in Ancient Studies, or he could have German Ancestry or Neo-Nazi ties." She said, pointing at the inverted rune on the photos.
The team was looking at her like she had grown an extra head. Spencer actually had stars in his eyes. "The Nazi's did use Norse symbolism and Runes during the Third Reich." He said excitedly.
"How do you recognise the symbols?" Derek asked.
"I have a degree in History, with a Minor in Ancient Studies. I have always been particularly interested in WWII." Ianthe said, looking back at her notes. "He is draining their blood into something - a cup, or a bowl - then pouring or splashing the blood over the tape or stencil he is using on the wall. He has to be aware of the victim's schedule, and that it could take a day or so for them to be missed. He would have to work quickly with the blood to avoid coagulation, but have to wait for it to dry completely before removing the tape. If removed too soon, the image would be ruined by drips, or the blood 'bleeding' through the straight lines he has created. There should be some flaking of the blood, or 'blood dust' on the floor around the wall. The victims' have to have been incapacitated before he starts draining them, but still alive. My guess is either through sedation, or a blow to the head." Ianthe said.
Hotch started issuing orders, giving everyone an assignment for once they arrived in Seattle. Ianthe dozed off after a couple of hours, used to grabbing a couple of hours sleep when she could.
Hotch watched her sleep, thinking about her revalations about the Serial. "She is brilliant, isn't she?" Rossi said, after noticing where Hotch's eyes were resting.
Hotch started slightly. "Yes, she is." He said, then turned his focus back to the files.
"You should take a chance. It is ok to want a relationship again, you know?" Rossi said, watching Hotch closely.
Hotch quickly looked around, noticing everyone else was asleep. "It would be inappropriate. Besides, she is taken." He said.
Rossi looked surprised. "It is not inappropriate. Besides, how do you know she is taken?" He asked.
"I interrupted a dinner date when I picked her up. Some NCIS Agent." He scowled. "He is much too old for her. There has to be a close to twenty year age difference between them." Hotch grumbled, shuffling papers in agitation.
Rossi raised an eyebrow. "He wasted no time, she has only been in town for a couple weeks at most! It can't be too serious that quickly." He said, then smirked. "However, if she likes older men, maybe I should take a shot." He said, chuckling when Hotch snapped his head up to glare at him.
The next day, another victim was found in a small town outside of Seattle. They arrived in Port Townsend, after taking a ferry from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island. The local police had picked them up in three seperate cars. When Hotch arrived at the scene, he walked into a tense situation. Apparently the local FBI office had sent their crime scene techs, and they had arrived first. The older man that was in charge of them did not seem to want to defer to Ianthe. As he approached, Ianthe finally lost her temper.
"We are not having a dick measuring contest here Sir. Number one, because I don't have a dick. Number two, because yours probably wouldn't be worth the hassle, and number three, because I am rated in the top three blood spatter experts in the world, and you are decidedly not. Don't embarrass yourself further. Either do as I say, or get the bloody Hell out of my way!" Ianthe said, cheeks flaming in irritation. She was so tired of self-righteous pricks!
The man sputtered, then turned red. "You are that Dr. Potter?" He said, flushed red face draining white.
"Yes." Ianthe said, tapping her foot in agitation.
He cleared his throat nervously, looking around and noticing they had attracted a lot of attention. "I apologise, Dr. Potter." He managed to say, before turning to his group. "Dr. Potter is in charge, boys. Follow her instructions. I am going back to the lab." He said, making a hasty retreat.
As Ianthe put on her protective gear, she heard Emily and JJ giggling. She smiled wryly at them. "I hate chauvenistic pricks." She said, then turned to the door of the house, yelling. "If you are inside that crime scene, you better be suited up! No one is to enter without it." She said, picking up her evidence collection kit, and going inside.
Hotch grinned slightly, turning to the rest of the team. "You heard the lady, suit up. Derek, can you take a couple of local leo's, and search nearby trash bins? We need to see if we can find some of that tape." Hotch said, issuing orders.
He could tell there would never be a dull moment around Dr. Potter.