A/N: Thank you so much for all the lovely reviews! :) And to everyone to favourited/followed the story, I hope you like how its going!
About this chapter: I've tried to bring you all up to date with the crime our BAU's investigating! :)
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Chapter 3
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This had been a rather unusual case for the BAU. First, their Unsub had not even bothered about his anonymity, and left fingerprints and even DNA samples in abundance. Second, the victims seemed totally random, victims of chance, rather than by choice. In fact their connecting link had been, ironically, the Unsub's DNA at the crime scene and on their persons. That and the fact that they all seemed connected to this strange little town in the middle of nowhere.
The first victim had been Vincent Edger. 28 years old, white, single. He worked as a lawyer in the neighbouring city of Hartford, but had been born and brought up in River Heights. He was found dead a week ago, bullet shot through the heart, lying in the park he loved to play in as a child.
The second victim was Rita Holst, 32, white, divorced. She was a writer, and had a son who lived with his father. She lived alone, and had been found dead in her house four days ago by the maid. She had been strangled.
The third victim was Brian Edrip, 45. He was actually a high ranking Police officer, and his death had shaken up the local police force enough to enlist the help of the FBI. Edrip had been set on fire, and then his corpse placed in his own backyard. He had been found two days ago.
And now, the fourth victim, as they had found, was Susan Tuls: a model by profession, 23 years old, living in Hartford. She had been stabbed repeatedly.
And all four had been covered in the Unsub's DNA. Or rather, they all had been placed, postmortem, in a circle made by his own blood, as it matched neither of the victims, and seemed fresh. At first, it had looked to be a ritual of some sort, Black Magic, perhaps? But it was far more precise and controlled than that. As of now, the BAU did not have a very suitable explanation. And that vexed Reid a lot. And his cooling off period is practically nonexistent!
To be sure, Reid hadn't expected the Unsub to be there tonight at the warehouse. It was a hunch, based on the fact that the missing victim, Susan, had been there recently for an outdoor shoot. And going by the locations the bodies had been placed, the warehouse seemed to be a safe bet, seeing as Susan's mother had moved to Hartford before she was born, and thus she had no other links in the town.
He hadn't expected Edward there.
But none of their profiles hinted at a kid, or an accomplice even, so Reid was inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt. He didn't seem like a homeless kid, going by his shiny red coat or leather pants, but then again, neither did he seem to be a lost young foreigner. But the way he'd looked in the warehouse initially…Reid couldn't imagine the boy had anything to do with this murder. The others did not seem to be so sure.
So after their initial interview he knew the police would come in with their forensics team.
Reid noticed how the boy abruptly went low, a defensive stance, when the police team entered. Where did he learn defensive stances?
"We're here for his fingerprints and DNA samples," the lead officer announced, though they didn't really need to. "Come on, you don't want to make this difficult."
Edward seemed to not understand at all. He stared at the police team, unfazed, and then at each of the BAU agents in turn, as if to help him out.
Reid leapt at the chance.
"They're going to take your fingerprints. The patterns and oils on each person's fingers are unique in the world, so they can be used to identify anyone at all." Ed seemed to nod at that, so Reid continued, "and DNA is the combination of proteins in your body that make you up. Each person has a unique DNA code, half of it inherited from each parent. It is a unique identifier as well, and used in criminal forensics to-"
"That's quite enough Reid, I'm sure he got it," Hotch interrupted him.
Edward seemed to have visibly relaxed, but the corners of his eyes were still tight.
"I'm going to need you to remove your gloves."
Ed stiffened at that, but took off his left glove and gave his fingerprints. His right one proved to be difficult.
"Why do you need both hands? Isn't it enough you have my DNA sample?"
"Edward, if you don't have anything to hide, I don't see why this is a problem. Just let them take it," JJ pleaded.
"Don't be difficult kid, or you'll get what's coming to you!" The police were on edge after one of their own had been killed, and so far, to them, Edward was the only suspect.
"Oh yeah? And what's that old man?" challenged Edward.
"Officer Donovan, Edward, calm down," Hotch said sternly. "Edward, just let them take your fingerprints properly. You do want to be cleared of the charges, right?
Apparently he did, because he just bowed down his head and sighed. And then pulled off his right glove.
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Ed thought it was almost funny the way their jaws dropped.
"What, never seen automail before?" He'd meant it as a rhetorical question, but their faces looked as if they really hadn't. "You know, prosthetic limbs?"
The guy who was taking his fingerprints recovered first, and took his metallic prints.
Everyone seemed to be coming to, now.
"Alright Edward, we'll see you soon after." The agents turned to leave.
"Wait! I can leave when I'm cleared, right?" Edward asked them, not really wanting to spend more time here than necessary.
"Sure."
Ed doubted it.
It was hours before anyone came back again, and that was only to serve him some food. He ate the burger and fries and drank the soda all too fast- he himself hadn't known he was this hungry. When was the last time I ate? He found himself wondering. Once again, he tried to remember how he'd ended up here, but his memory didn't serve up any clues.
After what seemed like an eternity, he saw agent Hotchner come into the room again. He tried to discern something from his face, but his expressions were unreadable.
"Edward. It seems your fingerprints and DNA doesn't match that of the Unsub. So you are not officially a suspect for now-"
"Great! So when can I leave this little-"
"- but you were still found at the crime scene, and don't have an explanation for it, so for the moment we'd like you to stay under our supervision."
"WHAT?! I can't stay holed up in this room for who-know-how-long! I have to-" Ed cut short, not really knowing exactly what he had to do.
"I didn't say you had to. Seeing as we were unable to locate your guardians –"
"I don't have any!"
"- you must come to the hotel we're staying in. You'll stay with two of our agents until otherwise arranged." There was a note of finality there that troubled Ed. He knew he wasn't winning this one.
So he shrugged.
"Fine."
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Spencer Reid took his newly cleared room-mate to the room he and Morgan were sharing. Being this small a town, they only had so many rooms in their only hotel. So Hotch and Rossi shared one, the ladies another, and Morgan and Reid got this one. They must have drawn the short straw because now they had another person there as well. At least they've put in an extra bed in there, Reid thought. He really didn't want the couch.
Reid looked at the boy as he appraised the room. He looked young (fifteen, he'd told them) but his eyes spoke otherwise. He'd been shocked to see his prosthetic arm – and even more at the ease with which he moved them – Reid had no idea the prosthetics field had advanced so much. He doubted it. And we still don't know what he did with that weapon in the alley.
"So, how'd you like it?" Morgan asked the boy.
"I thought they put you up in better rooms?" he smirked, but it was a good-natured ribbing.
"Nah, we like to rough it out," Morgan replied with ease.
It was surprisingly easy to converse with him when they weren't facing off with him, and the boy did seem genuine.
"Dibs on that one!" Reid called out, pointing to the bed beside the window. It wasn't so much chance as a known fact that the boy shouldn't be next to windows or doors.
Ed got the smaller bed, and his face was one to behold after Morgan pointed out the reason.
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SMALL YOU NEED A MICROSCOPE TO SEE THEM?"
Apparently, he was touchy about his height.
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A/N : There. No cliffie this time ;) Please review! ^_^