Hotch nods then turns back to the table with all of the information they have acquired so far. With nothing solid to go by they had to see just what they had in common.
Outdoors men.
Hunters.
Fishermen
None of the murders were committed the same way, some looked like they were hunting accidents, others drownings, one even had a knife imbedded in him as if he had fallen on it. All of them died instantly, with no struggle at all.
It was just after six-thirty when Tony climbed the stairs to his apartment. Closing the restaurant just after six it didn't take long to get things ready for the next days work. With a folder in his hand and a bank bag for the days receipts he went to the small office then knocked on the door jam.
"Hi Penelope, I just need to put some money in the safe. Could you let me know when your done I need to enter some information into the account program for the business."
She nods her head smiling then opens her hand for the folder. "I can do it for you. If you'd like."
"Thanks that would be great my typing skills are more of a hunt and peck style than real typing. I'll make some coffee, before I start on making something for everyone to eat."
Three days, all they have to show for it is a long list of names with shared interests. It was going no where fast and no one was happy about it. The unsub wasn't leaving anything behind except for the little origami animals.
The entire group look up when Matt came over looking overwork and disgusted. "We just got a call, some kids found a body near a fishing stream. I'll take you out there as soon as your ready."
Hotch and Gibbs look at one another and nodded. "McGee you shoot and make sure you get every possible angle. Bishop bag and tag. Ducky they more than likely have their own ME, but you can give us your opinion."
"Of course Jethro, I've already spoken to the good Doctor here, he has given me permission to do what ever is needed."
Splitting up and doing what they all do best was easy. No one fought over who was the Alpha. They just did what was necessary.
Ducky conferred with the local M.E. as they both examined the body. Gibbs watched everything that was going on making sure that Tim and Ellie didn't miss anything.
"Gentlemen and ladies, if you could come here please."
"What is it Dr. Mallard?" Hotch asks respectfully.
"I do believe that this hook is not the kind to use for stream fishing." Ducky looks at the agents then continues. "My colleague and I believe that this man was murdered at least twelve hours ago. This hook was embedded into his carotid, he exsanguined."
J.J. tilts her head slightly. "Thank you Dr. Mallard." while Derek offers his hand to help the older man stand.
"How very kind, thank you young man."
"Anytime Dr. Mallard."
"Ducky, please you must all call me Ducky." He tells them with a smile.
"I could use some coffee." Gibbs says to no one in particular.
"We should go back and see if P.G. has anything new for us. We can add this man to the list." Emily tells Hotch.
"I do have a few things I would like to discuss with all of you. After reading the autopsy reports and conferring with the good doctor here, I believe I have information that will help with your profile." Ducky informs them
It was the mid-morning lull at the diner, the breakfast and coffee crowd were long gone, just the stragglers remained. The older ladies drinking tea in one corner and the old men drinking coffee in an other. The men were loud and boisterous while the ladies clicked their tongues disapprovingly. All in all a very normal morning, Tony couldn't help but smile when the door opened and a man came in greeting Tony warmly. He has the same dependable presents as Sally, someone who knows the value of hard work and helping others.
He remembers the first time he met him, he was leaning on his car's fender looking at some of the animals through his scope then sketching, he was in no way as good as Kate was, but he wasn't half bad. It pasted the time and it kept him from getting rusty.
Tony heard him come up behind him before he could say anything. "You scouting places to hunt young man?"
"No just sketching." Tony answers handing the man the sketch pad he was using.
"Don't you hunt deer?"
"Can't bad knees, besides I would never be able to eat it all, it would be a crime to let it go to waste. Now rabbit, yes I could do that, I'd make a nice stew."
They spent an hour or so chatting getting got know one anther, after being in law enforcement for so long Tony felt comfortable with him, he didn't raise any flags and he didn't have any bad tells. About a month later Tony was surprised to see the man at his back door holding a package with a freshly dress rabbit inside.
"Thought you might like to make some stew."
"Thank you, let me pay, how much do I owe you."
"Nothing, enjoy the stew." he replied as he waved while walking away.
"George how have you been?" Tony asks already setting a cup on the counter for his friend.
"Good Tony, what about you?"
"Same. What's new?"
"Been out of town just came back this morning went to see my sister in Texas. Her husband broke his leg they needed a hand."
"So that's were you've been. You haven't been in to eat in a couple of months." Tony replies as he fills George's cup with fresh coffee.
Tony chats with his friend as he eats his late breakfast. Watching as the man plays with the paper place mat.
George pays for his meal and leaves just before the lunch hour starts, surprisingly lunch is not even half of the business they usually get.
Tony knew the agents were in the dinner just from the pots of coffee that were being made. He also knew that if he wanted to send a message it would have to be one that Gibbs would understand and pass on.
He pulled the ladies aside and told them that his knee was causing him a considerable amount of pain and they would be closing in half hour. He asked the ladies to tell the guests. He also asks Miss Sally if she would please come up to his home because he had some things he wanted to discuss with her.
Gibbs waits until their waitress has left before he says anything. "Tony would like us to join him when the place closes."
"How do you know?" Reid asks.
"Because Anthony, will fuss like a baby over a paper cut, but not blink if he is in serious pain. He ignores the pain and works through it, it comes from having a difficult childhood."
"It also comes from being frequently physically beaten and mentally abused as a child, and hiding your injuries." Hotch adds grimly.
"Just how good an agent was he?" Derek asks.
"The best I've ever worked with, I hated seeing him go. I'd follow his lead if I were you."