I recommend you listening to the Clair de Lune while reading the last paragraph in this chapter. It truly makes the right atmosphere. :)
Exclaimer: I do not own characters from Criminal Minds. I just don't. ;)
-Reid, Reid! Wake up, kid! – suddenly Morgan's voice interrupted Spencer's course of thoughts.
-I'm, sorry…
-We really need to focus on this case. If our preliminary profile is correct – we don't have much time…
-Thank God, it's local. Even two hours flight could cost us another lives… - JJ added.
-Okay, people. I now it's early and you're tired. – Hotch started and Reid quietly agreed with him. When he answered call at about 6.00 am. he still wasn't able to lay down and go to sleep. For the last two days his mind was working on getting a convincing answer to the question: where did Ellen go?
-But I need all of your mind on this – right now. – agent Hotchner continued - So, JJ, what do we know?
-Remember 3 odd murders, that occurred a while ago? Three women, in their mid-thirties, all blondes, all beaten to death. And all of them dumped in the same park. First victim was Ashley Martin, then, 3 days later Monica Henderson was found in the same place and then… The most curious thing: Ann Cooper, the alleged third victim was found at the same park 3 weeks later, also beaten, but autopsy revealed, that her leg was broken after the abduction, then taken care of, but not healed completely – presumably due to lack of time – and then she was killed…
-As I remember, the killer didn't struck again, so we stopped working on that. Is there any new lead we should follow? – Emily interfered.
-Actually, there is. New victim. – she gave out the photos and case files to everyone – Her name is Dorothy Gray and she was found in different location. I know it's far from the park, where the other women were found but look at what the unsub did to her.
-Oh, God. Her leg was broken and almost completely healed... That's the same guy. – Emily seemed convinced.
-Yeah, I'm pretty sure it has to be a guy. – Reid added – He's most likely a sexual sadist.
-But there were no signs of rape or nothing…
-He's most likely an impotent – Rossi answered – But this type of murder is his way of getting satisfied. Moreover, he created a scenario, probably based on some traumatic memory…
-Guys – JJ started – It's not all. We also have a woman missing. Her name is Lisa Patterson and she's been gone for almost 3 weeks.
Everybody seemed stunned by that information.
-Why didn't they call us immediately? Why wait?
-Lisa lives alone. It was not until her family from Ohio wasn't able to contact her for three subsequent days – they decided to call the police then.
-Still, she could be dead by now. – Morgan said.
-Not necessarily. – Reid was not convinced – If it's the same unsub, and considering victims look and age, it most likely is, we still should have got a little time.
-Okay. New victim could mean new profile. – Hotch was trying to organize work – Prentiss and Morgan: go check the alley. Rossi, you and I will visit victims apartment. Reid you'll stay here to work with Garcia – prepare geographical profile and cross-check the information about all the victims and the missing woman. It's not going to be easy one…
The time was running and with every passing minute Reid was more and more confused about the case. Nothing remained coherent. Among many theories there were no complete or absolutely convincing ones. And the contradictions remained the same. Two with broken leg and two just beaten to death. Three in a park, one in blind alley. Something is wrong here…
-Garcia, all the women were young, good looking, working and independent. Could you check for any facilities they had in common? Our unsub could have worked there. He needs to dominate in his murders, because he's not dominant enough in his real life. That's why he fantasizes.
-Okay, genius boy. You'll have it all in a minute.
Reid doubted that she would find anything though. They had too little information to focus on something specific. Suddenly his cell phone rang.
-Reid – he heard Prentiss' voice.
-I'm here.
-We've been in the alley. There's nothing that could be linked somehow to the park. On the contrary, it's pretty dangerous neighbourhood. Junkies, prostitutes everywhere. Of course – no one has seen anything. A lot of cars pull over here – it's nothing unusual. We'll stay here for a little longer but I don't think we'll find anything. And how is your work?
-Not a bit better.
-This poor girl's somewhere out there and we are just running out of time.
-I'm so sorry Reid. – Garcia looked really upset.
-Bad news?
-Yeah. Everything about them is literally different: schools, jobs, favourite restaurants. Lisa is alone, Dorothy and Ashley were married, Ann had a boyfriend and Monica was divorced. Almost all of them were born here. Lisa is from Ohio.
-Lisa… She's the last and there's something different about her.
-Everything is different about everyone, darling.
-No, no. What I mean is… I need to call Hotch. But keep searching – this time only for Lisa.
-Copy that.
Reid wasn't listening to her anymore. Lisa. Lisa. Single, lawyer, from Ohio. Why did he chose you? He dialled Hotch's number.
-Hotch? It's me, Reid. Are you at Lisa's place?
-Yes, we are. Nothing suspicious there. She just left the apartment and never came back.
-I need you to look for something.
-Yes?
-Could you search for any objects connected with her childhood and Ohio?
-There's not much of it. I have a family photograph, small collections of figurines.
-Okay. Thanks, then.
-Wait. There's something more.
-Yes?
-It's not exactly from Ohio, though. Surprisingly, it's from here. It's a diploma. "Little Miss Beauty Pageant". Does that mean anything for you? – Hotch sounded puzzled.
-Not yet but I think we're finally approaching some answers here. Thank you. – Reid disconnected.
-Garcia. I think we may have something. Check if our victims took part in any beauty pageants here.
-Sweetheart, it is just as you said. All of them were given a title of "Little Miss" in the same contest. Just in different years. Is our unsub a paedophile?
-It wouldn't make any sense. They are only interested in children. But that might be his traumatic memory. Perhaps something happened at one of the contest. Check the information's about any accidents that happened there, including fathers, brothers or any other man with broken legs.
-I've found nothing.
-Impossible.
-By nothing I mean that nothing like that happened to any man. But there were, of course, too many accidents involving contestants and their mothers. Burns, broken legs, poisoned food… You wouldn't believe how many…
-Wait, Garcia. – Reid interrupted her – You're a genius.
-Me? I've always knew that. What was it this time?
-I think we might have been wrong for the whole time.
-A woman – Hotch was genuinely surprised.
-It's rare, but it fits. – Rossi explained – Those beauty pageants can trigger some very strong emotions. Garcia, could you check accidents with leg trauma considering female victims?
-I did. 23 cases.
-Narrow it down. Blonde hair?
-14. Half of the contestants are blond.
-What if – Prentiss started – she's recreating the accident, that happened to her. Trying over and over again. Braking them and trying to heal, to make them perfect as they were before. But they do not cooperate, try to escape. It angers her, she kills them. And finds another "example". Look at it. Victims won the contest, they're beautiful, successful. Back then, at the time of contest, she was like them, but then something changed. And it ruined her life.
-You say "ruined"? – Garcia asked – I've just found quite interesting story here. Listen up. Sharon Cook, former "Little Miss" '97 from Virginia sustained injuries to her left leg in car accident. She was just starting in interstate beauty pageant. What's more, that leg probably never healed properly. She is registered as a disabled. And she did some drugs after all that happened. That's why we have her records.
-And, don't tell me – she lives near the park? – Emily asked.
-That's right.
-But why dump a body in a different location.
-She could have seen somebody. She can't run, so needs absolutely nobody around. And since she was a drug addict she knows, where to find a neighbourhood, where no one will ask any questions.
-JJ, call detective Anderson. – Hotch decided - I think we can give them the right address.
Doctor Spencer Reid was exhausted. Physically – he hadn't closed his eyes for the last two days – and mentally. Working on this profile, he focused his entire mind on catching the killer. Team did excellent job. It remained one of the most quickly solved cases, moreover, the one with a happy ending. Though with a broken bone, Lisa Patterson came back home safely. Princess was saved, antihero defeated. And like every fairytale, this one had to end eventually. Then the time for the child to close his eyes and go to sleep. But he couldn't. With every attempt to rest Reid's thoughts were almost automatically starting to orbit around the small piece of paper.
"I had to go". Where? "Don't worry" How could I? "I'll be back" Will you?
He couldn't stay for long at his place. Despite Morgan's words he decided to come back to Ellen's apartment. He couldn't risk missing anything. Job at BAU taught better than any other about value of time. Once it was lost it could never be entirely made up for. Usually the price to pay would be somebody's life.
This night, as well as during the two preceding, the attic was covered in darkness. Apartment remained the way he left it two days ago. Everything in perfect order and the short message on the table. At that moment Reid regretted not profiling her for the first time. If he had done that then, he wouldn't be so clueless now. He wandered around the place, trying to put together pieces of information he had. She's quite a secretive person, well organized and neat, avoids discussing private matters and puts off every remark made about her painting… Painting. This is it. She's not keen on it, because her paintings probably can reveal something about her nature. Not without a hesitation, he started looking for canvas. He felt like a burglar invading Ellen's privacy, but his concern for her was stronger. Looking around, he chose the most appropriate place to hide the paintings. Huge wardrobe. He opened it and frozen, petrified by the content. As for the unknown painter and part-time waitress it was a remarkable collection of clothes. Also the variety of styles was impressing: everything from monochromatic office style to colourful, bohemian garments. He glanced over shelves and drawers. His attention was caught by the panel on the bottom. It was placed under the shoes shelf and got no handle, so it didn't stood out. He pushed it slightly and it turned out to be another drawer. Filled with canvas. Reid pulled it out gently and without touching or moving the paintings started to study them.
He didn't like most modern art. Though he attended galleries sometimes and was familiar with it, he preferred pieces done by old masters. They stood for classical beauty, perfect harmony and everlasting pursuit of perfection. Postmodern works were disturbing and dark. On the contrary to the renaissance paintings, he couldn't find any relief when looking at them. Ellen must have been obsessed with numbers. They were the main topic of the paintings creating maps, dimensions, objects and emotions. Cool tones were dominant and although Reid didn't considered himself to be an expert in that matter, for him all the canvas were filled with sense of uncertainty or awaiting. He shut the drawer with a sigh. Although he was able to find some information about Ellen, she still remained mysterious.
Spencer decided to stay a little longer in her apartment. He found CD player and, not checking what was inside, pushed play button. Low noises of rotating disc could be heard and the song started. It was one of his favourite pieces, Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy. Delicate ethereal sounds of the piano filled the room with long awaited peace. No doubt or negative emotion remained present. Anxiety sailed away through the open widow in the dead of the night. Reid rested on the big sofa and closed his eyes.