Chapter 8-Taken By an UnSub
Hotch and his team gathered together back in the conference room of the Alexandria, Virginia police Department nearly at three p.m. Hotch, Rossi and Morgan upon entering the room discovered they were the last to appear as the others were waiting for them. There was an evidence board in the room with the pictures of each of the deceased attorneys posted along with a photos of Shane and Brandon Cooper. Hotch found his eyes drawn to the two photos of the Cooper brothers. And as much as he disliked both of them, his gut told him Brandon Cooper was not their UnSub but was the perfect example of a narcissistic personality. He sat down at the table with the others.
"Okay, what have we got?" he asked looking at Reid and JJ expectantly. The blond got to her feet and approached the evidence board.
"Reid and I went to each of the victims places of employment and unfortunately didn't find out very much." She first pointed to Brennaman's photo. "According to Brennaman's employer, he was recently assigned to represent a David Scherer on an assault charge. Apparently Scherer was charged with DWI and leaving the scene of an accident ten days ago, and Brennaman was to defend him in court. We spoke to Brennaman's boss, Cyrus Vander, who told us that Mr. Scherer had met with Brennaman several times and apparently had been very pleased with the job the attorney was doing so far."
Reid, seated beside Prentiss, leaned back in his chair looking over his shoulder at his boss. "We then spoke with Scherer at his home and he gave every indication that he was very pleased with his legal representation and was genuinely concerned about what was going to happen now that Brennaman was dead. He was quite upset in fact."
Rossi, who stood behind Hotchner's chair folded his arms. "You believe him?" he asked both of them.
"Without a doubt," JJ responded. She then pointed to Atkins' photo. "We then spoke with Atkins boss, Susan Tolima, who said Atkins had just been assigned to handle a large estate totaling half-a-million dollars but hadn't really done anything yet because he had only been assigned the case for a few days."
"What about his previous case?" asked Hotch.
Reid looked in his direction. "According to Ms Tolima, Atkins previous case was an estate of over one million dollars which was successfully resolved with the firm receiving a hefty percentage. Nobody had any problems with the resolution of the estate."
"That's a lot of money and you're telling me nobody was upset about anything?" asked Morgan. "With that kind of bread, somebody had to be upset about something."
Reid looked at his notes. "It was the estate of Connor Lehmann. He was vice-president of a textile company for over twenty-five years and had a wife and two children, a son and a daughter. He died of a massive stroke while in his backyard one day. But he had had a previous stroke a few years earlier which, after his second stroke a year ago, he retired."
"Did you speak with the family?" asked Prentiss, interested.
"Yes we did," JJ said. "Apparently from what his widow Clarice and his two children, Damian and Christina said, they were all one big, happy family with no problems financial or otherwise. We then spoke with a few of the neighbors who corroborated what we had been told."
"In fact," Reid chimed in. "The estate was equally distributed among the wife and kids with a sizable amount for his parents and other relatives."
Letting out a deep breath, Rossi turned and took a few steps until he was against Hotch's chair.
Reid again referred to his notes. "Uh, we then visited the employer of Andrew Bellamy. Nothing worthwhile there."
"What do you mean by nothing worthwhile?" asked Prentiss.
"What I mean is that he had only been assigned to handle a malpractice case involving a Doctor by the name of David McKay, a surgeon, who if a woman required a mastectomy, was the man who performed it. According to hospital records he had a perfect success rate until a year ago when he removed a healthy breast of a woman during surgery leaving the cancerous breast. Once it was discovered, the woman involved and her husband filed suit against Doctor McKay and the hospital for ten million dollars in damages. The hospital requested to remain unnamed in the suit hoping to distance themselves from McKay."
"Who's the defendant?" asked Hotch.
"A Valerie Tompkins and her husband Richard."
"What's the status of the suit?" Hotch folded his arms casually.
"According to Bellamy's employer, Bellamy hadn't really gotten much done on the case," Reid explained. "He had just begun his investigation when he was killed. But Bellamy's boss told me that the hospital is cooperating fully and claims the entire error was Dr. McKay's fault while they did nothing wrong." As if sensing Hotch's next question, Reid looked at his boss sadly. "I spoke with the Tompkins' attorney, a uh, Martin Basham. He said as far as he knew the hospital was trying to get out of their responsibility in the entire matter. He uh, he also told me something else." Reid hung his head and shook it.
"What was it?" asked Rossi looking at the young agent. Reid didn't answer. He just swallowed the lump in his throat.
"Reid?" asked Hotch, concerned.
The young agent looked up. "Basham told me that the error with the surgery had been discovered the next day. The new surgery was performed and the remaining breast was removed. But since that time the cancer has come back and spread to other organs and she now only has about six months to live. He said when the time comes he will probably be adding criminally negligent homicide to the list of charges against both the hospital and Dr. McKay because he believes if the right breast had been removed the first time, her prognosis would have been good."
Hotch massaged his forehead with one hand while Rossi let out a deep breath and began to pace slowly.
"Damn," Rossi said softly.
"What about Collins and Morrissey?" Hotch asked suddenly very weary.
"Collins just completed a case involving the divorce of Clarence and Alma Jenkins," said JJ. "In fact, the day he was killed he was suppose to meet with Alma Jenkins and discuss what she considered reasonable amounts for alimony and child support as the Jenkins' had an eight-month old daughter and a seven year old daughter and custody arrangements. In fact, Collins was leaving his home to meet with Alma Jenkins but never got there."
"And Morrissey was just assigned a corporate account according to his employer. He never even started working on it when he was killed outside his office," Reid said. "Like Collins, he was scheduled to meet with the officers of the company whose case he had been given. According to his bosses, Morrissey had a very high success rate with his cases."
"Good work," Hotch told JJ and Reid. Then, he looked at Prentiss. "Did you get a chance to speak with the families of Atkins and Collins?"
Emily leaned forward and clasped her hands on top of the round table. "Okay, I spoke with Bobbi and Martin Atkins, the parents of Culver Atkins. According to both of them, he was a loving, caring young man who never offended anyone. Was friendly with everybody he met and was well respected by those he met. Also, his abilities as an estate attorney were beyond reproach. They knew of no threats by any of his past or present clients. He and his fiancée were very much in love and were planning a spring wedding for the following year."
"Did they know if anybody ever threatened him?" Hotch asked.
"No. As far as they knew, everything was fine with their son. If there were other threats, Hotch, he kept it from everyone who mattered to him."
"What about Collins and Bellamy?"
Prentiss let out a deep breath. "I still haven't been able to reach Bellamy's parents but I did hear from his ex. She's now living in Fort Worth, Texas and has been since the divorce. She's had no contact with Bellamy since the divorce, and said that was because they had nothing to discuss. As far as Collins is concerned, I spoke with his parents by phone because they left to visit with their ex daughter-in-law who they're still very close to. They aren't due back until next week."
"We know the UnSub's signature seems to have changed just a bit," Hotch stated matter-of-factly. "Three of the five victims he approached when he killed them, and the other two he didn't. I'd say he prefers his victims seeing who he is before he kills them."
Rossi nodded slightly. "That could explain why he's been contacting you by mail and phone, Aaron. He wants you to know who he is before he tries to kill you."
Hotch looked up at the older profiler without saying anything. Rossi could see the fear in his friend's eyes that he knew Hotch would never want the others to know so the older profiler remained silent. He simply rested a hand on the younger man's shoulder and squeezed.
"You know," Reid interjected. "He could also be deriving some sort of sexual pleasure from these killings by the pain he inflicts on others."
Emily stared at the young agent. "So you're saying on top of everything else, he's a sadist as well?"
Reid mulled over Prentiss's question carefully. "Exactly."
"So are we saying he's impotent as well?" JJ asked.
"Possibly," was all Red could say.
"How did you guys make out with Cooper?" asked Prentiss hoping to break the tension.
Morgan decided to field the question. "He's the classic example of a narcissistic personality. No empathy for anybody. Says he hasn't heard or seen his brother at all. Plus, when we asked him about the threats made to Hotch, he says should something happen to Hotch, he'll buy whoever it is a bottle of champagne to celebrate." He noticed the disgusted looks on the faces of JJ, Prentiss and Reid who, in turn, looked at their Unit Chief. Hotch appeared lost in thought and wasn't aware at first that his team was watching him. Finally, he felt their eyes on him and looked up at four pairs of concerned eyes.
"What?" he asked, puzzled.
"Are you going to tell them or should I?" asked Morgan staring at his boss. Hotch gave him a warning look indicating he had no intention of telling the rest of the team anything. After a few minutes Morgan looked at the others.
"Tell us what?" asked JJ, confused.
"While we had left Cooper's job, Hotch got a phone call threatening him. The caller suggested he should get his affairs in order because it won't be long now."
JJ, Reid and Prentiss stared hard at their Unit Chief with alarm. "Was Garcia able to trace the call?" Reid asked.
"No. Disposable cell," Rossi chimed in sadly.
"What did the lab have to say about the envelopes and the letters?" asked JJ tossing a strand of her long blond hair over her shoulder. "Did they find any prints or DNA at all?"
"Nothing," Rossi added. "Only prints on both were Hotch's and no DNA at all."
Prentiss sighed as she studied her boss. "Hotch, I'm sure I speak for the others that I think it's time for you to back out of this case and return to Quantico, or stay here where you can be protected, or at least have someone with you at all times until this UnSub is caught."
Hotch shook his head. "I am saying this for the last time. I will not hide out here or in Quantico and I do not need a babysitter. I hope I've made myself clear finally?" He looked at his team individually and nobody said anything. "Good. Then I trust this is the last time we will have this discussion." He checked his watch and saw they still had time. "Okay, let's go over the victimology of each of the victims and then give our profile."
Hotchner, his arms folded, stood beside Reid, Rossi, Morgan and Prentiss facing the group of cops who sat staring at the profilers.
Hotch's eyes scanned the small group of people in the conference room. "What we'll be giving you is what is called a preliminary profile which means the profile we're about to give is subject to change based on new information," he began. For a brief moment he looked down at the floor before looking up at the patiently waiting group. "Our UnSub is a white male between thirty and forty years of age, and in good physical condition. He will have at least one family member who is older than he is but to whom he feels no connection to because he is unable to relate to family members."
"He will also be suffering from antisocial personality disorder in which a person will have a pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others," Reid continued. "This disorder also closely is linked to adult criminal behavior. He will also display characteristics of an adult schizoid personality disorder which is when a person avoids social relationships and shows little expression of emotion. In addition, a person with a schizoid personality will not have close ties with others because they prefer to be alone"
Prentiss added. "The UnSub may also suffer from a narcissistic personality disorder in which he seeks admiration and has a desire for admiration, and has a lack of empathy for anybody. He will also think he's smarter than everybody else and that includes the police and the FBI."
"And because of his antisocial and schizoid behaviors…" explained Rossi who was seated on the edge of a desk. "…he is unable to hold a job because he cannot relate to others around him. However, because he has a narcissistic personality he will seek admiration from others in criminal activities where he can show the authorities he is smarter than they are."
Hotch slowly walked across the floor to near where Rossi sat with folded arms. "It's sort of a 'look how smart I am' mentality," he concluded. "And because of his blatant disregard for others, he will kill anybody he decides needs to be killed. Are there any questions?" Hotch saw a woman sitting in the back, wearing a police officer's uniform, raise her hand. "Yes?"
"Agent Hotchner, perhaps you can explain why the victims all bear a resemblance to you? I mean they all have the same hair and eye coloring, same build, same height."
Hotch's body stiffened just a bit at the question and he knew his team had caught it. But he quickly responded. "All I can say is that it is simply a coincidence that the victims bear a resemblance to me and nothing more. During the course of our investigation there is nothing that connects me to these crimes in any way, and please remember, this is about the victims and not a member of the FBI. Thank you for coming." He turned away before another question could be asked letting Reid, Morgan and Prentiss field any other questions. All Hotch wanted to do right now was get away from these people before being forced to answer a lot of questions regarding his resemblance to the murder victims. He knew it was a possibility it would come up, but he really didn't want the spotlight on himself in any shape, manner or form. He noticed Rossi had followed him out of the room. Now back in the room adjacent to the conference room, Hotch leaned forward and placed his hands, palms down, on the table. Rossi put a hand on his shoulder.
"You know you just told them a little white lie," Rossi stated.
"I know," Hotch replied looking up with his back still to the older profiler. "But it was necessary. I can't keep saying it. The emphasis should be on the victims. Make sure JJ releases the profile to the media and make sure she leaves my name out of it." His eyes suddenly narrowed as an idea came to him. "Maybe we can use this UnSub's obsession with me to catch him." He suddenly straightened up and turned toward Rossi.
"What are you getting at?"
"If he wants me, let's make it easy for him. I say use me as bait to lure him out into the open."
"Absolutely not. It's too dangerous," Rossi told him. "One mistake and you could be dead." As he spoke, Reid, Prentiss, and Morgan entered the room. It was obvious from their faces they had heard at least part of the conversation.
"Not if we do it right," Hotch explained. He paused when his cell rang. Taking it out of his jacket he noticed who was calling and answered it. "Mrs. Brennaman, this is Agent Hotchner."
"Agent Hotchner, I'm sorry to bother you, and I hope I haven't caught you at a bad time?" asked Gillian Brennaman.
"No, no. It's fine. What can I do for you?" Hotch sensed the woman's voice sounded odd, strained almost.
"Well, you asked me if I could think of anything that might help I should let you know."
"And have you?"
There was a pause. "I was going through some of Ron's things and I found something I think you should see."
"What is it?" he asked looking at his team, concerned.
"I don't want to discuss it over the phone. I don't think I could anyway. You really need to see it for yourself."
Hotch sighed. "All right. I'll be there as soon as possible." He disconnected the call and slowly put his phone in his pocket. "Gillian Brennaman found something in her late husband's belongings and wants me to come to her home to look at it."
Morgan folded his arms and struck a defensive pose. "No way, man," he said. "You're not going out there alone."
"Morgan, we have been through this…."
"You have a choice, Hotch," said Morgan, refusing to back down. "We can either follow you to the Brennaman house and back; or Rossi and I can ride with you in your SUV. Those are the choices. Pick one."
"I have a third option," Hotch offered. "How about I go alone and phone you when I get there and when I leave. If our friend's following me, he won't make a move if he sees agents everywhere."
Rossi, JJ, Prentiss and Morgan all exchanged looks but Morgan wasn't backing down. "Not an option," he said.
Hotch looked at Rossi for some kind of support but instantly realized he wasn't going to get it. Finally, with an exasperated sigh, the agent relented. "Fine," he said. "You two can come along. But when we arrive I will go inside alone and speak with Gillian Brennaman. Understand?"
"Fine," Morgan replied somewhat relieved his boss had come to his senses. "Let's go then."
Gillian Brennaman slowly hung up her phone as the pistol pressed against her head could be felt a little more.
"Very good. You follow orders very well," he said. "Now, when Agent Hotchner gets here, you know what I want you to do."
Gillian felt the tears rolling down her cheeks. "What are you going to do to him?" she stammered.
The man ran his weapon down the side of her head gently as if caressing her face. "That's none of your concern. You just do what I tell you and you might just live to see your children again. Understand?"
"Yes. You aren't going to kill him are you?"
The man smiled while maintaining a hold on her arm. "Why? You like him? Sort of reminds you of Ron? Well then, you have a choice: Either your children or Agent Hotchner. You decide who lives and who dies."
"Please. Please don't do this!" Gillian found herself pleading both for her children and Aaron Hotchner.
"I said pick one! Who lives and who dies?"
Gillian squeezed her eyes tightly shut. "Please don't hurt my children," she begged.
The man nuzzled her neck. "See how easy that was? I knew you'd make the right choice."
Meanwhile, Hotch parked the SUV at the curb and after turning off the engine, gave a look to Rossi and Morgan. He didn't like his team treating him as if he needed protecting but then again, he was quite touched by their devotion to him. They were a good group; the best the Bureau had as far as he was concerned. And he knew they would willingly lay down their lives for each other including him.
"I don't think this will take long, so I should be back in a few minutes." He exited the vehicle and under the watchful eyes of his friends, walked toward the Brennaman home. After a few minutes he rang the doorbell and waited; Gillian answered.
"Agent Hotchner, thank you for coming so quickly," she said with what Hotch noticed seemed like a forced smile on her face. Also, her eyes were red.
"No problem," he replied as he walked past her and into the house. "Mrs. Brennaman, is everything all right? You seem very tense right now."
Gillian feigned a slight smile. "It's been a bad day today, that's all. As soon as you catch the bastard who killed Ron I'll feel better." She led the way into the kitchen with Hotch following.
"It'll be soon, I promise you." he sighed wearily. "Now what is it you have to show me?"
Gillian sat two coffee mugs in front of her on the counter; one for herself and one for Hotch. As she struggled to maintain her composure, she picked up the coffee pot. Her hand shook badly as she poured coffee into each. "It's, it's in the bedroom. Have a seat and some coffee. I just made it so it's fresh."
"I don't really want any, thank you." Hotch noticed Gillian cover her mouth with one hand muffling her sobs. "On second thought, perhaps I will while you get whatever it is you want to show me."
Gillian forced herself to stand up straight. "How do you take it?"
"Cream and sugar, please."
"Just like I do," she replied forcing a smile to her face.
Gillian prepared the coffee while Hotch took a seat at the kitchen table. She then placed one mug in front of him and took a sip of hers while watching him, waiting. When he didn't touch the coffee she nervously chewed her lower lip. "I'll be right back after I retrieve what I found upstairs. Please sit and enjoy your coffee. There's more if you want it." She then put her mug down and left the kitchen heading towards the stairs that led to the bedroom.
Moments after she had left, Hotch looked into the coffee cup at its contents and thinking; wondering why Gillian was acting so oddly. Every fiber of his being told him something was very wrong here but wasn't sure exactly what. His profiler sense told him there was something about the coffee she was so eager to serve him. Perhaps it had been drugged? Hearing footsteps approaching he quickly switched cups with the one Gillian had taken a sip from as she took hers the same way as he did. He then sat the mug in front of him and stood up, deciding to confront her with his suspicions and hopefully fool her. He paused when he saw Mrs. Brennaman standing in the entrance to the kitchen, but that wasn't what made him pause. Just behind her and holding her arm tightly with a pistol pressed against her head, was someone Hotch believed could have been a twin for him. Gillian was struggling to control her emotions, but she was failing miserably.
"Let her go," Hotch ordered calmly. He knew it would be useless at this point to try for his gun without getting Gillian killed, but figured if he could stall long enough, Rossi and Morgan would become suspicious and come inside.
The man chuckled as he tightened his grip on Gillian's arm causing her to cry out. "It seems right now I hold all the cards, Aaron. You don't mind if I call you Aaron, do you? I like being on a first name basis with the man I intend to kill."
"Look, this is between you and me. She has nothing to do with this. Just let her go and we can talk about it. It's me you're after."
"Talk? I don't think so." He saw the coffee cup. "You're not being a gracious guest, Aaron. Your host served you coffee and you haven't touched it. I must insist you drink it."
"Why?" Hotch asked with narrowed eyes. He knew his suspicions about the coffee had been confirmed.
The man let out a deep breath and forced Gillian to her knees as he knelt on one knee behind her, making sure he kept her in front of him. Hotch heard the safety removed. "You will drink the coffee or I will see that this lady's children become orphans and kill you before those agents who came with you get inside. You have one minute."
Hotch's eyes shifted to Gillian who looked apologetically at Hotch. Then slowly, the agent picked up the coffee cup and took a drink of the still warm brew. He was about to sit the cup down again when the pistol was pressed against Gillian's temple.
"All of it," the man said. He watched at Hotch, for now doing as he was told, finished the coffee.
Almost immediately he began to feel strange; almost lightheaded. He massaged his forehead as his head began to pound. It was then a wave of dizziness overcame him. He glanced at the empty mug curiously. As he tried to move, he found he had to grab onto the edge of the table for support. He heard a voice speaking to him as his head swam; but the voice sounded muffled, as if far away. Hotch found his legs wouldn't support him and everything was spinning wildly.
"I'm sorry, Agent Hotchner," another voice said from somewhere close by. Hotch fought to see who had spoken but his vision was becoming fuzzy and he couldn't seem to focus.
"What? I didn't…I can't…" The last thing Hotch recalled as his knees buckled and he started falling to the floor was hearing someone chuckling before his entire world faded into darkness.