Disclaimer: I don't own Batman or Criminal Minds
Morgan's POV
"We found notes inside the other bodies' hearts as well," Hotch says. "They all have similar messages. 'I love you, harlequin.' 'You shall be mine again, my jester…' He appears to be a man who had a connection blond woman with blue eyes and fair skin."
"So where do the clowns come in?" I ask. "Was she a clown for a living? Was he?"
"Maybe it has something to do with the play Commedia dell'arte," JJ says. "Wasn't there a character called harlequin in there?"
"There was," Reid says. "Harlequin was a comical, astute character who often thwarted the plans of his master while pursuing his love interest Columbina. There's also Harlequin syndrome. It's a rare disease that by asymmetric sweating on the upper thoracic region of the neck, the face, and the chest. It's usually caused by gaining an injury to the sympathetic nervous system."
I can tell she doesn't believe that by looking at her. I know we're not supposed to profile each other, but I am worried about Harley right now.
"Could he have had a lover that died of this Harlequin syndrome?" Prentiss asks.
"Not likely," Reid says. "Harlequin syndrome is not debilitating. He could have had a girlfriend or wife that had it though."
She doesn't believe that; not even slightly.
"If so, why is he dressing them up like court jesters?" Rossi asks. "That has nothing to do with a disease."
"But why would he call her 'harlequin', when Harlequin's love interest was Columbia?" JJ asks.
"Columbina," Reid corrects her habitually.
"It doesn't matter as long as it makes sense to him," Hotch says, pulling out his phone. "Garcia," he says, putting it on speaker, "I need you to look up the deaths of any women that had a job as clowns. Description being tall, blond, blue eyed, and pale."
"Do you have an area that could help me narrow it down?" Baby Girl replies.
"All the victims were from here," Hotch says.
"Okay… nothing," Garcia says. "Absolutely nothing; it doesn't look like this town even has a circus."
"What about women of the same description that had or have died from Harlequin syndrome? Look for both alive and dead." Hotch says.
"Harlequin what?" Garcia says.
"Syndrome," Harley says. "It's a disease that comes from gaining an injury to your sympathetic nervous system. It makes people sweat in the upper region of their body: chest, neck, and face, causing them to appear flushed."
"Okay," Garcia says. I can hear typing through the phone. "Nothing. There are no women of that description who have or had Harlequin syndrome."
"We're missing something," Hotch says.
Yeah, I think, and Reid knows what it is. Why won't she tell us?
AN: Well? What dost thee think? I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed any of my previous chapters! :) I love it when people enjoy reading my stories. Sorry this chapter is a little short; the next will be longer.
Thanks again for reading,
-DragonsintheMoonlight :D