"This is a fascinating and unexpected discovery, if it turns out to be true." - Tom Tucker

"There have been so many unexpected twists and turns in the proceedings and in these developments to date, that to count on that, even though I know their word is good, is more than we can accept," - Tom Daschle

After a few minutes of scanning the list and drinking his coffee Reid was ready to go. He got Gideon's attention and they stood up and gathered their files. The rest of the team seemed to take this as a good time to leave as well and started to gather their files. Breaking off into their assigned pairs they left, Reid and Gideon first. Morgan stopped by Kipel's desk to get his work partner. This left JJ to work out her press brief and coordinate any calls between the groups.

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Reid and Gideon's drive to the morgue was quite, each had a lot on their minds. When they reached the hospital and checked in they had an easier time of finding the morgue then Prentiss had. Dr. Sinnger was waiting for them this time and ushered them into his office. They took the seats offered and Reid asked the first question before Sinnger had finished sitting down.

"Did you finish looking over the previous victim's feet?"

Sinnger sighed but smiled slightly at the young agent's enthusiasm. "Yes, and you were right they all had cuts to the flexor digitorum brevis. Most were an inch or two in along the whole length. It would have made walking let alone running very painful."

"Thank you Dr. Sinnger" Gideon was about to get up when Sinnger stopped him.

"I also found something else while going over the victims again. I went a little deeper this time and I found some interesting evidence. I have turned it over to the police forensics, but I was able to run some basic tests myself. It seems Sarah Hexton, your fifth victim swallowed some hairs. Some of them were wolf hair and three were human. I couldn't get DNA off the wolf hairs, but two of the human hairs had follicle tags. I was able to extract some DNA but it was damaged. I was unable to pull up anything personal wise but there was a chemical signature. The person you are looking for is taking steroids, and has been for some time." Sinnger opened his top drawer in his desk and pulled out a thin folder. He passed it over to Reid who had a light of excitement in his eyes at the new information. "I'll keep looking into the victims see if there was anything else missed.

"Thank you, I'll check back in to you about that" Reid said not even paying any more attention to the doctor. He had pulled out the recent findings and was pouring over them. Gideon stood up and Reid did to when Gideon touched his shoulder. He stuffed the papers back in the folder and they shook hands with Sinnger. Reid managed to hold himself in check until they got back to the SUV and on their way. But once the SUV was started so was he. "This is good news, it changes the profile though. I wonder what the forensic team has gotten, is it too early to call them about it or do we wait for their call. Where would our unsub get wolf hair? They are making a comeback sure but they are still in very small numbers. Let alone the difficulty of obtaining the hair, unless it's old hair. Like from a pelt that has been around for a while, that would explain lack of DNA, if it was already dead for some time." He kept going until they got back to the station.

"Reid, we are here" Gideon had to interrupt him from his ramblings. "Why don't you check with a detective and see if you can find out when the forensics will be done on the hairs. I'll check in with JJ and the others with the new findings."

"Sure," Reid passed over the folder from Sinnger as he got out of the SUV and they went inside the station. Gideon headed to the conference room as Reid went off in search of more information.

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When Gideon entered the conference room JJ was on the computer typing and video chatting with Garcia. She turned and smiled at him as he entered and Garcia waved from her office back in Quantico. "Make any headway?" JJ asked.

"Yes, Dr. Sinnger confirmed Reid's theory of the cuts, all the victims had them. It is definitely a signature. Also there is new evidence, some hairs one of the victims inhaled. I have the report but when Reid gets back I'm sure he can tell you all about it."

"Can I get the quick notes in English?" JJ asked with a smile. She would always listen to her team mates but sometimes evidence wasn't her thing.

"I suppose, well according to the doctor some of the hairs were wolf hairs, a few human. No DNA, but there is drug use on the part of our unsub." Gideon sat down and opened the file to have a look for himself, pulling out his glasses as he did so. The medical files always managed to use the smallest print they could find to get away with.

"Did you just say wolf hair?" Garcia asked pulling JJ's attention back to her.

"Yes, that's what the doctor and the report say" Gideon looked over the rims of his glasses at her.

"I'll get back to you," and she was gone.

JJ sighed again and went back to typing what Gideon was sure was her press statement. Or maybe her report, she liked to keep ahead on them if she could so she would have more time to go over potential files when they got back to Quantico. He went back to reading the medical report.

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Hotch and Prentiss left shortly after Reid and Gideon and headed South West. The Parents of Rachel Marsden lived in Hot Springs, Sanders County just below Flathead County. Once they were on the road Prentiss called Garcia for information.

"How can I help you today my wonderful crime solvers?" Garcia asked with her usual bubblyness.

"We are headed over to Hot Springs to interview the family of Rachel Marsden. What can you tell us about the town and the people?" Prentiss asked after putting the phone on speaker. Hotch could talk with Garcia but still found her greetings a bit odd, so when every the team called they waited to put her on speaker. Before it had caused quite a few odd looks and surprises with other company present.

"Well it's a small town, mostly white older married couples with medium income. Which is kinda odd as it's located on the local Indian reservation. Anyway there's not a lot there so if you can't get a lot out of Rachel's parents ask around. There are probably lots of other people who will be able to tell you something."

"Thanks Garcia, one more thing" Prentiss didn't like the sound of the town but kept it to herself.

"Let me guess directions" Garcia sounded almost board.

"You got it" Prentiss smiled imagining the look on her friends face.

"No problem, oh just in time JJ is calling me, the directions are being sent. Good luck," and Garcia was gone.

Prentiss closed her phone and turned the radio on low for the rest of the ride. She and Hotch would talk plenty on the ride back, they didn't need to do so now. The drive wasn't that bad but there wasn't much to look at but open fields or sloping mountains. When they finally reached town it wasn't a moment too soon. They pulled over at a gas station to refuel and stretch a bit before finding the home of Mr. and Mrs. Marsden. They lived in a medium sized single floor ranch house with a groomed front yard and what had to be a spacious back yard by the looks of the fence angled around the place. There were numerous flower beds full of color around the whole place. The wide porch held several chairs two small end tables and more flowers in large pots. A welcome mat was in front of the door, but when they approached to knock they were proceeded by the backs of two or more dogs.

"It's a good thing you didn't bring Reid" Prentiss said as Hotch knocked. The door was opened slightly almost immediately by an elderly looking man.

"We don't want to switch churches and we aren't buying anything," he said with a slightly forced kindness after he gave them a quick look over.

"Mr. Marsden we're the F.B.I. we came to ask a few questions about your daughter Rachel." Hotch took out his badge, Prentiss followed suit.

"Herb who is it?" a female voice called from further inside.

"Do you mind if we come in?" Prentiss asked hoping they wouldn't start yelling information through the house.

"Only for a minute" Mr. Marsden opened the door wider and pushed three beagles out of the way. "Go on, out" he told the dogs and after a moment they scampered off to some other part of the house. Hotch and Prentiss entered and closed the door behind them as an elder woman came out from what had to be the kitchen. "Lilly these people are here about Rachel" Mr. Marsden gestured to them.

"What is it you are looking for?" Mrs. Marsden stopped half way to them. Hotch and Prentiss exchanged a glance, this was not going to be easy.

"You are aware of your daughter's death?" Prentiss asked almost hesitantly.

"Yes we know, we got a call from a police man some time ago" Mr. Marsden didn't sound too happy.

"Well we are looking into her death. The person who killed her has killed a few other people. We were hoping to ask you some questions to help us understand why she was chosen." Prentiss went on trying not to give too much away.

"We know but we can't help you. Rachel was a difficult child and hard as we tried there wasn't much we could do about her. We washed our hands of her when she left years ago. We never really spoke or anything. We weren't really surprised when we got the call about her. Don't get us wrong, we do miss her, but she died long before we got that call." Mr. Marsden explained while his wife just stood, more out of politeness.

"I see, well we are sorry for your loss. Do you know of anyone who might know something and be willing to share?" Hotch asked.

"No, I'm afraid we don't. After us your children all stopped speaking to or about her not long after she left and she didn't have many friends here" Mrs. Marsden spoke up now.

"Well thank you for your time, if you can think of anything please call" Hotch pulled out a card and handed it to Mr. Marsden. He then opened the door and he and Prentiss left. Mr. Marsden watched them go, the dogs coming back to the door to bark.

"That was almost pointless, and very disappointing at the same time" Prentiss sighed once they were back in the SUV. "I hope the others had better luck, I want to hear something good come out of this day other than a long ride.

"I'm sure there will be something, in the meantime we are going to stop for lunch and we can ask the locals for information. After all this is a small town, maybe we'll swing by the police station" Hotch drove into the heart of the small town. There was a small dinner and they stopped. Unfortunately the information to be found there was almost as sparse as the Marsden home. Stopping by the small station didn't reveal too much beside a growing record for a teenage Rachel. With a copy generously provided by the local sheriff they started the long drive back to headquarters.

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Morgan and Kipel had been the last pair to leave and had taken Kipel's cruiser as the two SUV's were at the disposal of the other team members. Evan Thompson had been taken from a small rundown bar on the outskirts of town. Even close to mid day the parking lot to the bar was more full then empty. "It only gets worse at night" Kipel commented. He then parked off to the side and they got out. Morgan started by assessing the parking lot as that was where Thompson was taken from. His keys and a shoe had been found but that was it. "Half the lights out here are broken and more than likely Mr. Thompson was too drunk to put up much of a fight or get out much of a protest. This kind of a place is almost perfect for picking someone up if that's not creepy enough already without this killer." Kipel stayed by Morgan's side as they moved around the lot.

"I want to check out the inside for a moment," Morgan headed in the direction of the bar. More than likely he wouldn't get much of anything out of the patrons but he could try and decide if the unsub had been inside. As he walked inside he had to let his eyes adjust to the low lighting of the place. Many of the patrons didn't turn to look at him and Kipel until the bartender put down the glass he was holding rather roughly. When the patrons did see just who walked into the bar they all become very interested in their drinks or the table they were sitting at. Morgan did a quick seep of the place. It was small, dark, lots of places to sit unobserved or out of the way, no security to see. There would be no point in asking any questions but Morgan had to try none the less. He walked up to the bar Kipel in tow.

"Hey Duke, you know the drill, answer the question and we move on" Kipel told the man behind the bar.

"So what do you want to know besides it's five o'clock somewhere?" Duke the bartender asked looking Morgan over.

"Evan Thompson, he was taken from the bar about a month ago. What do you know about him?" Morgan asked, not bothering to sit at one of the few stools in front of the bar.

"Usual drunk, gets a little out there every once and a while but nothing I can't handle."

"You see or hear anything the day he went missing, any of the patrons know something, maybe they tell you?" Morgan looked at Duke in the eye.

"Nope, he was in one of his moods, so we all let him leave. Best stay out of the way and he'll be gone for a while, come back when he's ready. That's all man" Duke picked up the glass again.

"Thanks Duke, keep clean" Kipel said and with that turned to leave Morgan following knowing they got all there was. "I know it's early but you want to stop and pick up lunch for your team or do you want to head back?" Kipel asked as they got back into the cruiser.

"Actually do you know of any other bars Evan Thompson might have hung out at?" Morgan took one last look at the bar as they pulled out onto the street.

"He like his drink, from just about anywhere but there is one other bar he went to quite a bit" Kipel drove down a side street.

"I want to check it out, maybe we might find something. Our unsub most likely watched the victims for a day or two. Slight chance they were noticed in such a small regular environment if the next bar is anything like that one."

"Sure, sounds good" Kipel pulled a U-turn when he could and soon they were at another bar. The sign outside said Kit's Pub. It was much like the first both outside and in. However this time they got lucky. The bartender didn't have much to say but the only waitress did. She told Morgan, after invading his personal space, that some chick had been sitting outside the bar watching from a truck but she could give no description. She had almost put the whole thing from her mind. It wasn't her problem so why worry. Morgan thanked her as he extracted himself from her closeness and he and Kipel left. Kipel couldn't keep the smile off his face as they walked to the car. "She liked you my friend."

"I think we can pick something up on the way back now" Morgan changed the subject. Kipel laughed and they were on their way back to the station. On the way Morgan called to see about bringing in lunch. When they arrived back with KFC quick meals everyone was there but Hotch and Prentiss who still had a bit of a drive to get there. They had agreed to wait till everyone was present to share information.

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She drove by the station around mid morning an hour or so before lunch as she had been watching George's place for the morning. He hadn't come out and she wasn't worried that she would miss him if she swung by here. She could see only one SUV in the lot and an extra cruiser was missing. Her hunters were out on the prowl, she had to be weary of them as well. Not to linger in one spot too long, no odd behavior, just a normal person going about town. Well not for long she had to pick up George so she could try and redeem him tonight. She left and went back to her job and just in time too. George was leaving and he was using the back alleyway and thus a narrow side street. She went around to where he would most like come out. She quickly set her trap, parking her truck with a front wheel on the high curb. She got out set two bags and her purse by the door and stooped as if she was looking under the frame at the tire. George came out of the alley and slowed as he approached her. She knew he would check her out, make sure she wasn't looking and make a grab at her large purse sitting next to the bags slightly out of her view. As he walked past her she pulled a bag from her pocket and opened it. He angled towards her bag and slowed another fraction as he got closer. He would take it and then cross the street to another alleyway for a fast get away. She stood up as he leaned down, as soon as he had the purse in hand and upright stepping into the street she was on him. She had weighed the purse down so he might use two hands. It had worked his second hand was just touching the bag when her foot hooked his leg. He was thrown off balance and since his hands were full he leaned forward to steady himself. He was closer to her height now and she brought the cloth that had been in the bag in her pocket to his face. Securing it over his nose and mouth she grabbed the back of his neck with her other keeping him down. He had gasped in surprise then breathed in to protest, but that was enough. The chemicals on the cloth had begun to do their work and he swayed as if drunk. It was easy to spin him back towards the truck and he leaned heavily on the back bumper as she pulled the cloth from his face. He was out seconds later and she had to hold him in place as she dropped the cloth into the back of the truck and pulled out a length of rope. She pulled him forward to lean on her, dropped the tailgate, pushed him onto it and leaned down quickly tying his legs together. She stood, rolled him, bringing his hands around and grabbing more ready rope tied his hands behind him. Bringing his feet up she tied his hands to his legs and rolled him further into the truck bed. She then pulled a tarp over him, weighted the corners with bricks so it would flap open. Moving back she picked up the purse, the bags, put them in the cab, did a quick sweep of the area and was back in the truck driving away. It had taken less than five minutes.

Medical term: the flexor digitorum brevis is the large muscle along the bottom of your foot. It's the muscle you might call your arch…that you pull often if you are an athlete, or wearing really bad shoes…

(So sorry for the long wait, but real life sent me a few hard hits over the holidays and after… I have banned December 10th from existence. It seems every time you try to pick yourself up, life just wants to kick you back down. Hoping the new year will be a bit better now. Anyway I have stock piled updates on my computer and am now dispensing them regularly. Thanks for hanging in there and I hope you enjoy the reading. Feel free to review or not.)