The group was awoken that night by a call simply stating "There's been another one."

The group met police at the crime scene, the Chief started "Passerby was rifling through the trash, got freaked out, and reported it. He's at the station now but I don't think he did this."

Rossi spoke up "Why not?"

"He's in his 70s and would probably have trouble lifting a large soda, let alone a body."

Prentiss' eyebrows shot into her hairline before replying "Good reason to rule him out."

Hotch asked with his arms crossed "Do we have an ID?"

The chief sighed before replying "We'll need positive ID of course, but we believe him to be-" The Chief looked at his notepad before Reid cut in

"Isaac Manchini"

The Chief looked at Reid along with the rest of the group. "You know this guy?!"

Reid looked up to see all eyes on him "He is among the top 5 fastest violinists in the world. He's not married and his only surviving family is a brother in Italy, so you will have to wait a few hours before making the call. He only broke into mainstream music in the last 3 years. Before that he toured with various symphonies." Everyone was giving Reid strange looks, "I (cough) did some research on violinists before going to bed." The group collectively displayed expressions of "ah ha!" on their faces as Reid blushed deeply and stared at the ground.

"That was...helpful." Replied the Chief

"What do you think Morgan? Prentiss?" Hotch asked as Reid continued to examine the body.

"Most likely died from the stab wounds, and while its not overkill like we are used to seeing, it's definitely more than necessary, and more than his last kills. The unsub is escalating."

Prentiss spoke up "The number of lacerations is definitely indicative of torture. There must be 50-60 lacerations here!"

"Guys- I found the note- but its not on paper this time…" Reid rolled the body onto its side.

Rossi looked "It's carved into his skin- that's new. It says 'CC'."

Morgan questioned "Like the measurement? What's the squiggle under the second letter?"

Reid spoke up "It's a quarter note…" Reid placed the body back and looked at everyone "I think the rest of the messages are notes of a song, but without knowing the tempo, clef, or more of the song, this will be almost impossible to solve; and that's assuming that all the messages are in order."

Hotch looked at Reid "I know it's a long shot, but see what you can do- if anyone can crack it it's you. Prentiss get with JJ and get a list of all other violinists playing shows or traveling through within the next month." Hotch noticed Reid's flinch, it was barely imperceptible- an involuntary micro expression, but it was there. Reid, and Prentiss left to head to the station.

After some time JJ walked in with a sheet of paper with the updated list of violinists both performing and travelling through the nearby areas. Hotch and the others arrived with coffees "Have you made any headway, pretty boy?" Spencer glared at him, "Dont bite my head off, I come bearing gifts." Morgan handed the young man his usual latte as JJ spoke up "We just got the lists of violinists, we were about to make the calls."

"Have Garcia double check the list if you don't mind, she may be able to help."

Prentiss put the phone on speaker as the chipper voice came through "The all knowing and all powerful Wizard of the FBI is at your service. What is your wish?"

"Garcia, Its Emily, you're on speaker…" The group got the techie quickly updated to the current event before Garcia chimed in.

"Well my pretties, I am glad you consulted me. There is a name on my list that is not on yours!"

Morgan replied disbelieving "Really? And what name would that be lil mama?"

"That name would be Kasper."

The team waited, "There is no last name, just Kasper with a K. It literally translates to 'treasured secret'. Apparently Kasper is a huge underground star. He has swept the music industry by storm for over 8 years, no one seems to know why he hasn't gone full time with his music. However he was quoted in a phone interview saying 'Music is the medium through which I play all the things I could never say, but I have worked hard to be where I am and would not give up my job for anything. The people I work with are my family.' Aww, thats sweet. He plays mostly on the east coast but has performed all over the US. He has even done a few shows in Japan and England. He doesn't give much notice on his shows, a few months at most, sometimes only a day or two; but the fans seem to think the mystique adds to the charm. Oh...and charming he is! Most women would kill for that waistline. Sending pics now."

The group gathered around a tablet and scrolled through the pictures of a younger, slender man with tousled, short black hair, eye make up resembling k-pop artists, a white shirt with a royal purple cravat tucked into a charcoal vest. The man had on, what looked to be, leather pants and mid calf boots with purple laces. The picture showed him playing his violin while spinning, highlighting the black and gray frock coat he was wearing which accentuated his narrow waist.

"Because he is so reclusive the pics are all from fans, mostly cell phones, so facial recognition software won't do much. What else…? Oh, it turns out he is 1 of the top 3 fastest violin players in the world and has played with quite a crowd...The London Philharmonic Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra...he has even played with individual artists….including your last vic. Isaac Manchini and Kasper played together for over a month about 2 and a half years ago. Manchini was quoted as saying 'Kasper is the most beautiful person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing-both inside and out.' Doesn't appear there was any romance, but that didn't stop fans from speculating."

Hotch cut in "Garcia, do we have a name? Any personal information on him?"

"I'm sorry sir, but no. Even my mad wizard skills cannot find a real name. This guy has done everything- and I do mean everything- to avoid being discovered. His manager even has a legal contract stating that he can never reveal his real name under any circumstances."

Prentiss' eyes went wide "That seems a bit excessive, don't you think?"

"Artists, you can never tell with them. What I can tell you is that he is scheduled to play at the Wade Avenue Theatre in Atlanta in 5 days."

"5 days?! Can we even find out who he is by then? He may need our help." JJ asked

"Guys- I think I figured it out. The song- its 'The Devil's Trill'." Reid's eyes were alight with both excitement and worry.

"I've never heard of it, so it's not by Gaga or Perry."

Reid explained "It was written by Giuseppe Tartini, a Venetian Composer, in 1740."

Garcia chimed in while typing continued in the background "It is considered one of the most difficult songs to play on violin and very few have mastered it in the modern time. Oh no...one of them being Kasper."

Morgan spoke up "So is he our unsub or the next victim?"

"Wait," Prentiss spoke up "How long ago was Kasper's trip announced?"

"about 10 weeks ago, via a tweet."

"Around the start of the murders" Rossi spoke

Hotch spoke with a tone of finality "Garcia, find out everything you can about Kasper- he may need protection and we may need his cooperation. Rossi, Prentiss, Morgan, and I will contact the other violinists but I believe Kasper is the unsub's main target."

"Yes, sir."