When Hotch, Rossi, AJ, and Blake walked into the lobby of the local community center, they were immediately approached by two men wearing uniforms who obviously had been waiting for them.
Agent Hotchner?" the older one questioned, holding out his hand to shake.
"Yes," Hotch replied, grasping the offered hand.
"Detective Wade of the Iowa State Police," the man introduced himself. "We spoke on the phone."
"And, this is Sheriff Gardner," he gestured to a second officer. "This case crosses both our jurisdictions."
"Good to meet you, too," Hotch shook hands with the sheriff. "These are my associates - SSA David Rossi, who I think you have also already spoken with on the phone, and Agents Jareau and Blake. The other two members of our team are out at the most recent crime site."
"It appears you have hit the ground running," Detective Wade observed.
"We like to get a feel for both the crime and the unsub as quickly as possible," Rossi explained. "We find it helps save lives in the long run."
"Well, we appreciate your coming all this way to help," Sheriff Gardner told them. "We initially weren't sure if we should ask you."
"It does appear that you have a serial killer in your midst," Blake observed.
"And chasing them down is what we do best," Rossi assured him.
"That's what our psychologist said," Detective Wade told them. "She's the one who encouraged us to call you."
"You have a department psychologist?" Hotch asked, surprised.
"Actually, she is a shared resource," Sheriff Gardner explained. "She is housed in the local state police post, but also serves several of the local sheriff's departments."
"With all the budget cuts, we were very lucky to get her!" he added.
"We're interested in seeing what you already have," JJ spoke up. "Is there a place for us to set up?"
"Right this way," Detective Wade led the way through the lobby and down a hallway. "Your Ms. Garcia told us what you need, and we've moved everything into a conference room for you. She is quite an original, isn't she?"
"You have no idea!" Blake smiled at him.
As the group walked into the conference room that had been designated for their use, they noticed that there was already a group gathered on the far side of the room in front of some windows. Officers from both the state police and the sheriff's office were gathered around a woman who had her back to the door. JJ noted that she was wearing a pair of dark trousers with a tailored shirt, and had her hair pulled up in a casual knot on top of her head while Blake noticed that, from the way the officers were paying attention to her, she was definitely holding her own in the ongoing discussion.
Hotch noticed that for some reason the young woman looked familiar and, when she turned around, he realized why.
"Aaron? Dave? And JJ and Alex, too? Oh my gosh! Sheriff, you lucked out – They sent you their A Team!" Emma's voice rang out as she hurried across the room towards them.
"Emma?" Hotch exclaimed. "This is a surprise! It is good to see you!" He gave her one of his rare smiles.
Emma hesitated for a moment and then threw her arms around the taciturn unit chief to give him a hug. "It is good to see you, too," she assured him.
"Looking good, Kiddo!" Rossi was next in line as he, too, received a hug.
"Dave!" Emma exclaimed. "You are a sight for sore eyes!"
"This is the best surprise I have had in weeks!" JJ didn't hesitate before exchanging hugs. "It is so good to see you!"
"I have really missed you!" Blake assured Emma as they hugged.
"I take it you all know each other?" Detective Wade spoke up.
"Oh yes!" Emma assured him. "We've worked together in the past."
She then gestured towards some evidence boards that had been set up. "Okay, everyone, let's get started!"