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DISCLAIMER: Not mine. Except for Nina, Isabella and the unsub...

CHAPTER 4

"We believe the unsub comes from a broken home – one where the father was absent or if not absent, highly abusive. These murders are a substitute for his own father – a man he feels wronged by. Judging by the evidence that the victims did not attempt to defend themselves, it is probable that they knew the unsub and were hesitant to hurt him – he is familiar to them, someone they feel protective over. We're looking at someone who is of slight built and appears non-threatening. Assuming that it is an employee at the firm, we're looking at a wide age range but it is most likely that the victim is young – perhaps his early twenties."

Hotch trailed off and looked at JJ who shook her long blonde hair over her shoulder before continuing.

"The mutilation of the victims' groins could suggest either impotence or anger, possibly both. The culprit will be childless, unmarried and a loner – someone who does not make friends easily."

She looked over to Morgan who continued.

"It is the mutilation of the groin and the taking of the wedding rings that gives us the idea that this is a man. The signature is clear and obvious, but this is not a sexual sadist. The mutilation is done post-mortem and that tells us that the motive is about revenge. The killings occur during the workday – so until this unsub is found, everyone is in danger at all times. Thank you."

The group of officers dispersed, while the BAU team trailed back to the office. Nina stretched and stifled a yawn.

"Anyone up for coffee?"

The nods around the table were immediate and enthusiastic, save for Hotch and JJ. Reid jumped to his feet quickly.

"I'll help you."

"Thanks."

"Did you know that according to legend, the caffeinating effects of coffee, was first discovered by Ethiopian shepherds after they noticed their goats becoming livelier after eating red berries? The coffee beans we use to make coffee grow inside those berries!"

Nina shook her head in disbelief.

"You're kidding, right?"

"Actually, not… Not many people know this, but coffee beans are actually seeds growing inside these berries – that look a lot like cherries."

"Okay… so how does it get from fruit to liquid? Why don't we just eat the berries for the caffeinating effect?"

The team lost trail of their conversation as they walked off and Morgan snorted with laughter.

"I really hope that's not Reid's attempt at flirting."

Laughter sounded around the table, and Hotch glanced at his watch – an ominous frown forming between his brows.

"Right… JJ, I think we should go back to the company and talk to the workers some more. The rest of you – go through the files, study victimology for anything we might have missed. Get Garcia on the line, ask her to check for any employees with records of abusive family members, complaints lodged against fathers or male authority figures."

A few nods and he was gone, JJ in tow.

To say that Jonathan O'Brien was unhappy with two different FBI agents at his company was an understatement, but Hotch was unmovable in his desire to speak to any employee who might have seen something.

"Mister O'Brien, I understand that it is bad for your business to have FBI agents walking around your offices, but I can't see how murders in this building can make for better business."

He muttered something when his phone rang and looked at the other two people apologetically.

"I'm sorry, I have to take this. It's my son's teacher, there might be something wrong..."

Jonathan waved him away all too happily and he stepped aside, talking softly into the phone and giving his colleague a chance to reason with the man. JJ had a softer approach and she turned to the man gently.

"I understand your reluctance. But the only thing we want to do is prevent this from happening again… We will handle it with sensitivity."

Jonathan nodded irritably and gestured to JJ.

"If you must… you can work with our PR team to release a statement if this will end things."

Hotch put his phone back in his pocket, worry etched on his face. Yet he nodded quickly.

"That might be a good idea, JJ. I'll talk to some of the other employees around here."

JJ nodded and Jonathan glanced at Hotch haughtily.

"Agent Hotchner. Talk to who you must."

JJ gave Hotch a reassuring nod before following the CEO downstairs and Hotch made for the door, stopping in his tracks when a demure voice spoke from the corner of the office.

"You know… I'm here all the time. And no one's asked me if I've seen anything."

He turned slowly to face the sullen teenager, his face giving nothing away.

"And? Have you?"

The smile on her face was cynical and she shrugged.

"Maybe. I'm Cassie O'Brien – that's my dad who led the pretty lady to the PR offices. I knew he'd ask her to go and leave you here. He doesn't like other men much – prefers to spend his time with women. Preferably young, beautiful and blonde."

Hotch moved forward and sat down across from her.

"Cassie. I'm Agent Aaron Hotchner."

"I heard."

His eyes flickered over the tired teenaged face and he crossed one leg over the other, his eyes not leaving hers for a second.

"You look like you have something to tell me. So go ahead."

Both Rossi and Morgan smiled gratefully when they returned with coffee and Reid grinned at them.

"Cappuccino – for the extra caffeine boost."

Morgan took the cup with a sigh of relief, taking a sip immediately.

"Thanks. We've been going over and over these victim files – there's nothing more than the age range, the fact that they are fathers and the company where they work."

Reid frowned lightly.

"Wait… what about their position in the company?"

Rossi shook his head tiredly.

"Nothing much – one was in a senior management position and served on the board of directors, the other two were C-level employees – a chief web officer and a chief legal officer."

"Those are all pretty responsible positions… is it possible that they were alpha males and the unsub felt threatened by them?"

Rossi shook his head at Reid's question.

"No – no recent promotions to indicate jealousy and only the first victim was an alpha male – Jerry Nichols. He was popular among his co-workers and a natural born leader. Had the whole picket fence life – a beautiful wife, two children. Kyle Smith and Ralph Davis were quiet, not very social and satisfied working below others. They regularly took the blame for other people's mistakes, covering for people they looked up to. It just… it doesn't make sense."

Reid suddenly looked at his picture closer and frowned, turning it around slightly.

"Guys… I'm not so sure our unsub is a male."

"What? Why?"

"It's a mostly male-based company, so that might be why we missed it… but besides the mutilation of the groin, there is no sexual aspect and we've already established that it is more out of rage and revenge than satisfaction. But that's not what got my attention – look at the wounds more closely. The first stab wound on each victim is right on the carotid external artery – the pulse point to be exact, the weakest spot on their necks… It's not an easily exposed, which meant that the killer was extremely close to them."

Reid took a large step forward in Morgan's direction, and the other man reflexively moved back, his hands up in the air.

"Woah, Reid… It's just coffee, don't get the wrong idea."

Reid ignored the subtle mocking and looked at the group enthusiastically.

"That's my point! These men were happily married and assuming they were heterosexual, they would instantly retreat if another man stepped into their space. But if it was an attractive woman… Morgan, if Nina was the one to step closer to you instead of me… you'd look up before backing away."

The group thought for a minute, and Rossi nodded.

"I see where you're heading with this. The obvious signature… I had a chapter in my last book about men being more likely to leave signatures and take tokens, it could spur a woman on to throw us off…"

Morgan searched for his phone with a nod.

"This changes the profile. We're looking for a probably attractive female, one with enough biology knowledge to know where the carotid artery is, trusted by everyone and…"

The sharp intake of Nina's breath made everyone look up and she shook her head, ghostly pale.

"Where are JJ and Hotch?"

"They went back to the company, the wanted to interview more employees. Why?"

"I think… I think we saw the killer. It all makes sense now, the way he talked to her, her expression when he summoned her to his office… No one would suspect her, she's just a child… but an angry child and…"

Morgan reached over to tap her wrist and shook his head.

"Parker, focus. Who are you talking about?"

"Cassie. Cassandra O'Brien, the CEO's daughter… I think she's our unsub."