Well hello everyone!
This story is receiving more views than I originally anticipated! I just want to take a minute to thank everyone out there who is reading and following along. It means a lot to me! Here is chapter four of the story!
I am truly looking for some opinions here, guys, so don't be afraid to say something! Let me know what you're looking forward to seeing. What do you like? Dislike? Anything!
I do not own any part of Criminal Minds or affiliated characters (boo!)
Warnings and Ratings: T – Minor language. Mainly for safety!
In the briefing room, Garcia had her laptops set up to face the team. They connected the Washington and California state police stations so the profile could be delivered to all of the uniforms at once. While there were many UnSub's, Hotch decided the best approach was to deliver the profile as though they were just looking for the leader. If they spent their time chasing satellites up and down the seaboard, they would never locate the source of the problem.
Hotch began delivering the profile promptly. "We're looking for a white male between the ages of thirty and forty. Perhaps a bit older. This male is highly meticulous and careful with religious motivations. Because of the assorted letters and riddles, we have reason to believe he is above average intelligence. The victims are not an accident. At this time, we are unable to determine just how many children and or adults he is holding captive. We believe the number to be relatively high as he is sacrificing many of them for flaws which could easily be improved upon."
"He's physically fit and able to keep up with a large group of children. Further, he has a list of subordinates who work for him," Rossi included, glancing among the uniforms who scribbled notes.
Hotch nodded before Morgan continued, "Look for anyone in a leadership position who is responsible for many. He may have been a pastor at a church or even a figure of authority higher than that. Perhaps the multiple subordinates have worked under the leader previously. These subordinates are afraid of him and likely afraid of the wrath they may feel from God for disobeying. Nonetheless, they will protect him until death."
JJ noted, "The press will need to be dealt with very, very carefully. We do not need the western seaboard under mass hysteria. This man has been in close contact with the public and many, many people. But it is likely they all fit in seamlessly."
"The UnSub has likely perfected the art of any stereotypical, antisocial person. He seems inviting, friendly, intelligent, and informative. People look up to this man which has only further fueled his drive for absolutely power. But when these people lease expect it, they are conned and left in a vulnerable position. Just where the UnSub wants them to be," Prentiss added.
"He also has an obsession with numbers, time, and death. He may carry out certain rituals other than the killing of these children to relieve the feelings he has about these obsessions," Reid disclosed before pocketing his hands and leaning against a nearby desk.
Rossi finished up with, "He will be highly dangerous and will not go down without a fight. He truly believes he is doing work for God. Specifically the work of Matthew."
"Keep in close contact," Hotch added, "That is all."
Each of the officers looked to one another before assembling their plans quietly.
Hotch gave one nod in the direction of the conference room before his team followed him back inside.
"Hotch, where do we go from here?" Morgan asked, causing all eyes to pause on the Chief.
"We need to get out there and find people to question. Oregon is the central location, so we will begin here and assume the leader is nearby. Garcia, I'm going to need you to compile a list of churches in the state of Oregon with addresses and telephone numbers. Someone knows this guy. In fact, many people know this guy."
"Certainly, Sir." Garcia's fingers were tapping away at lightening speed.
The team remained silent as they waited for the results.
A few moment's later, Garcia's list was complete. "Sir, there are so many here. Can I narrow this down somehow?"
Hotch sighed, stroking his chin in contemplation, "Let's start with the biggest, most active. With youth groups and children and adolescent programs. Sunday school, church trips, you name it."
Garcia nodded her head as she typed in the parameters Hotch had instructed, "I've got a list of ten which are... sent to your emails. Go get 'em, crime fighters."
"Thanks, Garcia. We'll split up to cover more ground. JJ, join Morgan and Prentiss with the first five listed. Dave, Reid, and I will head over to the last five on the list. Let's get this done as quickly as possible."
The team dispersed once again and filed into separate SUV's.
The questioning process was tedious for both parties. Each member of the team was itching to finally solve this case. It had been dragging on for far too long with such a void of information. Hotch decided after each interview the team would have a conference call and discuss the information gathered.
After the first two interviews, a few select questions had been answered. The church leaders insisted they did not know of any suspicious behavior within the clergy of the church. The Bishop's name was Aaron Johnson and, according to the priests, he was a great man who organized his congregations well. The men they spoke with also did not know of any other leaders who may have anything to do with a child army.
While slightly frustrated, Hotch wasn't about to quit. He was nearly certain the answers the team needed could be found by one of these men. Hotch decided he would need to be more direct in his questioning if they were going to get information out of the last two church officials.
Hotch entered the third church with Rossi and Reid close behind. He approached an office door with the name "Father Paul" printed on the outside and knocked lightly. A moment later, the door was open and a short, heavyset man with white hair and glasses appeared in the frame.
"Can I help you men with something?" He asked with a genuine smile.
"My name is Aaron Hotchner, Chief of the Behavioral Analysis Unit with the FBI. These are Supervisory Special Agents David Rossi and Spencer Reid. We're looking for some information about the current church clergy."
The priest's smile and eyes fell to the floor, "Well, why don't we speak inside my office." He gestured a hand toward a couch and a few empty chairs before closing the door behind them.
"So the FBI. Sounds serious." Father Paul questioned.
"That's correct, Sir," Rossi answered. He and Reid had taken a seat on the couch with Hotch sitting directly adjacent from Father Paul.
Hotch opened his notepad before beginning his questioning, "Can you tell me who are in positions of clergy at this time?"
Father Paul leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingertips together, "Well, the position of Bishop belongs to Dr. Aaron Johnson. His Deacon is a woman named Sarah Roberts. There are a number of priests who work under him."
Hotch nodded as Paul's information correlated with that of the previous men they spoke to. "Do you have any reason to believe the named parties have committed any sort of crimes?"
Paul seemed caught of guard by the question. He knew this opportunity would present itself at one time or another. The elder took in a deep breath before shrugging his shoulders. "I have had my share of suspicions with how... tight knit and secretive the recent clergy has been," Father Paul paused momentarily to stroke his beard. "Bishop Johnson is a... good man... But he seems to lack empathy and understanding. He's very intelligent, nonetheless. He carries doctoral degrees in philosophy, theology, and psychology. He tries his best, but... I think he has been too young all this time for such a position. He's currently thirty-three. By law, the man in position of Bishop need be thirty-five years of age. Being the most qualified of any other candidate, Bishop Johnson was unanimously allowed into the position by the Pope at twenty-eight." His hesitations caused suspicion among the team.
"Why do you hesitate?" Rossi inquired.
Father Paul glanced to Rossi and Reid. A hint of conflicting emotions settled into the man's features, "Well, some of us have been concerned for a bit of time now. The Bishop has been spending a great deal of effort - and money. Certainly money - on this 'project' of his." The elder used his fingertips as quotes to enunciate 'project.'
"What sort of project?" Reid pressed.
"See, that is precisely the problem," Father Paul began, "We hardly understand what he is working on. The priests have been asked to identify the most intelligent, dedicated, active members of our congregations. The selected individuals are sent to this rural area at the base of the Cascade Range once a year in September. Supposedly, these individuals devote themselves to God for an entire month... Hiking, swimming, and the like. When they return, they've all been... different. They seem more devoted to their biblical studies, but there is something else. They almost seem... brainwashed. I can't explain it. I've never again sent away members of my congregation. It doesn't seem healthy. But more suspicious is the fact that none of the members who return will ever speak of their trip. He has sworn them to secrecy."
Hotch was scribbling furiously, yet Reid had committed every word to memory. This was the lead they had been looking for.
"September?" Reid questioned, "Does Bishop Johnson have a group with him now?"
Father Paul nodded his agreement with Reid's statement, "They left three weeks ago. According to Bishop Johnson, this is a special session which will extended based on success of participation. I will not know how long exactly for a few more weeks."
"Three weeks," each agent silently thought. The team was presented with the first case around the same time as the group left for the retreat.
Hotch nodded his understanding, "Are there any members of the retreat who have consistently taken this trip every year?"
Father Paul thought for a few moments, "Well, Deacon Roberts is always in attendance. Being his assistant, I would expect nothing less. Two of the priests, Father Jason Pomfret and Father Noah Myers have attended... As for congregational, I would need to make some phone calls to identify names."
"If you could do that, Father, we would greatly appreciate it," Rossi asked politely.
Father Paul nodded, "I would be happy to, gentlemen. Just a moment." He left the office then, leaving the team time to converse.
"This has to be our guy," Reid whispered, voicing Hotch and Rossi's thoughts for them.
Rossi and Hotch nodded in agreement, "I'll notify the rest of the team." Hotch dialed the Oregon police station and waited for Garcia to answer. He spoke in a low voice after the whole team was connected, "We have a lead. Garcia, I need you to gather everything you can on a Bishop Aaron Johnson. Morgan, the three of you should finish your interviews. See if you can find any additional information on this guy. It seems pretty conclusive. Keep in touch." Hotch snapped the phone shut and turned back to his team.
"It would make sense if he is our guy," Rossi pointed out, "Three doctoral degrees, position of authority, persuasive, and deceiving. Father Paul is suspicious and still assures us Bishop Johnson is a good man."
Many questions were now answered. Hotch felt confident in the direction the team was moving in.
Finally, Father Paul entered the office and handed Hotch a sheet of paper. "One of the priests had a roster from the past number of years faxed over. You'll be able to note consistencies in attendance."
Hotch finally stood, shaking the man's hand before him. "Father Paul, you've been a great help. Thank you for your time."
Father Paul nodded with a smile, "Always a pleasure to help. I hope you will find what you are looking for."
The three men exited the church and settled into the SUV. Hotch turned out of the parking lot before making another phone call to Garcia. The rest of the team had already reported back to the Oregon station.
"Sir, I'm in the process of digging into the deep depths of Dr. Johnson's life. It appears he had a bit of a troubled childhood. He lost his mother when he was ten and was left with his crazy religious priest of a father. I mean like super, duper religious. Johnson had a bit of a juvenile record. He was caught in possession of illegal substances and his father sent him to a mega religious correction camp for... Oh, every summer for a few years, wow... Anyway, it seems Dr. Johnson is a bit of a smartypants himself. He graduated high school at fourteen and began work on his three doctoral degrees. Five years ago, his father was deemed mentally unstable, and... Oh, icing on the creepy cake, Mr. Johnson passed away earlier this month."
"There's our stressor," Rossi pointed out.
"Good work, Garcia. Morgan, did the three of you hear anything new from your interviews?"
Morgan shook his head, "No, Hotch. Most of the priests defended him. Those who didn't admitted he is a bit eccentric for his role in the clergy. Nobody seemed deeply concerned, but we did find a consistent confirmation of character traits. This guy is classically antisocial. He regrets nothing."
"Great work, guys. Rossi, Reid and I are heading there now. I think we're just about finished for the night."
In the mean time, Reid had been analyzing the roster provided by Father Paul. He was able to identify a few assorted individuals who had been on every trip. "Hotch, there are two women and three men who are part of the clergy and take the yearly retreat. We potentially have nearly a dozen men working for this guy."
Back at the Oregon police station, the team gathered around the table in the conference room once more. Everyone looked as though they were in need of a meal, shower, and sleep. Hotch decided his team had exerted enough effort for the day, and they had truly exhausted all which needed to be completed. The team was allowed a much needed night off. After visiting a nearby restaurant for a group dinner, the team broke off in pairs and went back to their hotel rooms.
The girls ordered a bottle of wine and a few movies to clear their minds for the evening. After all, a good night lost in the confines of a great chick flick with some friend could fix anything.
Reid had brought one of his Oregon state maps with him and was triangulating the area where the retreat camp could most likely be found. Morgan had crashed into bed with his headphones on and began humming his favorite tunes.
After Rossi and Hotch had finished talking about the case, they spent time reminiscing about the days when they first worked together.
One by one, the hotel rooms belonging to the BAU team darkened as each agent found a deep, much needed sleep.