Disclaimer: Not mine.

Rae

Freehold Raceway Mall Parking Lot

Joy and Craig pushed their way through the tape, approaching the latest victim. Joy was cursing the fact that so far, no evidence had shown up again and the victim had still bled out, even with the patrols they had.

Craig put a hand on her shoulder. "Chill. We'll get this guy."

"But how many more will have to die?" She pulled her coat closer and stepped up to the streetlight. "Oh my God."

"Joy… Oh no."

She spun around and grabbed the nearest cop. "Where is Officer Roberts?"

"Right here, Detective."

"Tony, no!"

Tony stepped up, thinking she wanted him and saw the body. "Rae!"

Craig blocked the big, black man.

"Rae!"

Joy closed her eyes as Craig pulled Tony away from the scene. Agents Rossi and Morgan joined her, one on either side.

"The victim is Rachel Roberts. She worked for Jared's, the jewelry place, as a manager. She's married to Officer Tony and left behind two children."

Morgan squeezed her shoulder.

"Dammit!" She took a shuddering breath.

Rossi crouched down. "No drag trail."

Joy shook her head. "Rae always parks right next to the streetlights. I wish I knew why she was out here alone; she usually walks out with one of the clerks."

"And the interval is short again. Only three days instead of three weeks."

"Excuse me, agents. I want to talk to my officer."

"Go ahead."

Rossi moved the button-down shirt aside to read the writing. "The character's name is Lilly."

Morgan crouched down. "Does anyone know this person? Recognize these characters?"

"Maybe we should start asking those questions."

Joy hugged Tony. "I'm so sorry."

"Jesus, Joy. It's wasn't supposed to be her! I was the one on the force. We always expected something to happen to me, never to her."

She hugged the big man as he cried.

"What am I going to tell Amanda and John? How do I tell them that Mommy isn't coming home?"

Her heart clenched at the thought. "Take the night, Tony. You can't work the case anymore, anyway."

"You catch this bastard, Joy. Catch the bastard who took Rae."

"I will, Tony."

Wiping his eyes, the officer trudged back to his patrol car, his partner meeting him there and patting the man on the back. Joy watched them pull away and walked back to the scene, standing over Morgan and Rossi.

Morgan glanced up. "We'll catch him."

She nodded. "I know we will."

"Be careful not to make it personal," Rossi warned.

"Rae would never hurt anyone. She and Tony watch Tyler when I have to work late. She was one of my friends in high school and threw me a baby shower. Rae Roberts is one of the nicest people I have ever met."

"Detective, we'll catch him," Morgan assured.

She blew out her breath. "What do you see? 'Cause I'm going to miss everything."

"She was hit hard in the back of the head."

"I think we determined it was a baseball bat," she said. "You know, I keep one in my backseat."

"Why?"

She shrugged. "I keep on in my hallway too. I lock up my guns at home. I guess I hope that I can take someone out with it."

"You can," Morgan said.

"Somehow, that doesn't assure me."

"So the Unsub clubs the victim, drags her to the light, takes off her shirt and writes the story on her torso," Rossi outlined the events.

"With a quill, in her blood."

Morgan sat back on his heels. "We know the victims resemble characters, but what drives the Unsub to seek them out?"

"Flesh and blood," Joy muttered.

"What?"

She bit her lip. "When I was younger, way younger, some of the fantasy stories I read focused on flesh and blood. They were both needed for life- to return someone to life you needed that person's blood. But it's a stretch."

"But if this Unsub is writing a story…"

"Reid would say you're making a leap," Rossi said.

Joy shrugged. "It's just an idea."

The three backed away from the scene. Joy nodded to the coroner to take the body.

"Let's get back to the station," Rossi suggested.

Joy nodded. "Yeah."

Freehold Police Station

Reid was already pinning up the latest scene when they got back. "They printed extras for me."

JJ glanced at Joy. "We're sorry for your loss."

"Thanks." The detective stuck her hands in her coat pockets. "When you do your next release, could you mention the characters' names, maybe ask anyone if they know the story? I don't know how you would or what good it would do, but…"

Hotch glanced up. "But be careful. The Unsub might feel we're stealing his work and attack again."

Joy dropped her head and sat in one of the nearby chairs. "I don't know what to do."

Morgan crouched in front of her. "Take a deep breath and clear your head."

"Okay."

"You work on that." He got up and flipped the laptop around, bringing Garcia up. "You got the latest, Baby Girl?"

"Yes."

"Who are you talking to?"

"Our tech."

"Penny," Joy murmured. "Tyler told me about you."

"You're Tyler's mama? You are so lucky!"

"Thank you." She raised her head. "Tell me you found something we missed."

"Sorry, honey. No more than what we had. And going through employment records for all those stores is slow-going. Plus the list I already have is still pretty big."

"Shit."

"Detective Marriott, we'll figure it out," Garcia gave her a small smile.

"Thank you, all of you." She stood up. "I have a phone call I have to make."

"Who?"

"My son."