Perfection Chapter 4: The New Case, a criminal minds fanfic

Perfection

Chapter Four: A New Case

By Ann Parker (None)

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Hannah Arendt once said, "Fear is an emotion indispensable for survival."

"You know, you might want to consider seeing a doctor about that," Reid commented to Sarah. They were on the elevator, heading into the office Monday morning. She had gotten sick again this morning.

"I thought I was already seeing a doctor," she teased as she took a sip of her green tea, trying to settle her stomach. The elevator door opened and they headed to their desks.

"You know what I mean," he countered. They had just about reached the others.

"If it happens again, I promise I'll go," she replied as she set her bag down. "Morning guys." Morgan and Emily greeted them. JJ suddenly went flying past them.

"We have a case," she stated, heading to the conference room. They all stood up and headed to the conference room. Gideon and Hotch were already in there, beating them to the room. Everyone got seated as JJ prepared to introduce the case. Sarah took her now customary seat between Reid and Gideon.

"Two women have been killed in towns on the west side of the state – Deerfield and Augusta Springs. Both murders have taken place in the last week, the first one three days ago and the second occurred last night," JJ started. She put up photos of the victims on the screen. Both were young – mid-twenties/early thirties – but one was Caucasian and one was African American.

"What makes the authorities think they are connected?" asked Emily. "Do they have anything in common?"

"There is nothing to tie the victims together except that they share the same name, Sarah Levine," replied JJ. Sarah, who had just taken a sip of her tea, started to cough, almost like she was hyperventilating. The team eyed her suspiciously as JJ continued. "The authorities think that is the connection. That and after the unsub cut their throats he used their blood to write a message on their stomachs."

"What did it say?" asked Reid, still watching Sarah. The color in her face seemed to be slowly draining and her nails were digging into his thigh.

"I'll find you," replied JJ, putting the crime scene photos on the screen. Reid noticed Sarah's eyes grow wide. She looked at Jason, panic clearly written on her face.

"You haven't received a photo call from the warden, have you?" she whispered. He shook his head.

"You know I would have told you if I had," he replied. He looked up at their computer tech, "Garcia, get me the warden of the Augusta Correctional center on the phone now."

"On it," Garcia responded, out the door in a millisecond, sensing this couldn't be good.

"Emily, go into my office and get this case file," he continued, writing down a series of numbers on a piece of paper and handing it her.

"On my way." Emily headed out the door in a flash.

"Gideon, what is going on?" asked Hotch. As he asked this, Reid noticed Sarah's gaze remaining on the photos of the stomach, her breathing rate steadily increasing.

"JJ, can you take those photos off the screen?" he asked and she nodded, turning of the screen. "Sarah, what's wrong?" She turned to him, locking eye contact, and he felt his stomach immediately sink.

"Warden Brason is on the phone," Garcia stated through the intercom and Gideon immediately grabbed it.

"Special Agent Jason Gideon, FBI. Have you had any prisoners recently escape?" he asked through the phone. Hotch, Morgan, and JJ all exchanged looks. Whatever was going on, it couldn't be good. Emily entered the room just then with a case file. "I see. And when were planning on telling the lead investigator of his case or the surviving victim? Never mind. You've just gained the FBI in aiding in his capture. We'll talk more about your incompetence later." Gideon slammed down the phone, clearly upset. Reid could see Sarah just about crumble and he pulled her into his arms, not caring they were in the office.

"Okay, what the hell is going on here?" demanded Morgan, clearly upset at the state of their youngest team member.

"My stepfather has apparently escaped from prison. He's our unsub. He's not going to stop killing until he finds me," Sarah whispered.