Chapter 2-The Gallery

Behavioural Analysis Unit, Quantico Virginia

Aaron Hotchner looked up when he heard a knock at the door. He knew it must be about another case, he could feel it. "Hotch we got a new one."

What we got this time?" he asked taking the file she handed him. Glancing through the file he looked up at her again, "Can you assemble the team."

JJ passed around case files to each member of the team seated around the large conference room table. "A killer posing his victims in an art gallery, this is new." Reid commented.

"Maybe he's an artist in his own right," Morgan replied.

"Look at the vic she's painted up like a painting and displayed as a piece of art."

"Alright looks like we're headed to New York," Hotch told them. "Planes ready to go, wheels up in thirty."

"Posing the victim like this is a way to display the body, showcasing them and his accomplishment," Reid said as he sat down across from Emily and Hotch. "It makes them easily found by the police, the killer isn't trying to hide them. Posing is personal, tends to be more about the victim." Hotch glanced over at Emily who was seated next to him when she caught him watching her, he quickly looked away. "Look at the colours he used reds and blues," Hotch said glancing back at the file in front of him.

"Reds could suggest rage," Reid chimed in. "And blues could be the delusion he was going through when he killed her.

"An art gallery as the place to leave the victim. And no one noticed anyone coming or going. Says here there were guards on duty but they were on a shift change when the body was left. The guard who came on duty found the body," Emily read from the report.

"At the time the surveillance cameras were not functioning," Morgan said plopping down in a seat nearby.

"Sounds like it could be someone who knew the gallery, when the guards would be on the shift change and how to disable the cameras."

Arriving in New York, Hotch decided to split up the team. "Morgan, Reid can you two visit the police station and Emily and JJ you can come with me to the crime scene."

MOMA, West 53 St., NY

"Museum of modern art I have always wanted to come here," JJ said as they made their way up the front steps. "Just didn't think it would be like this."

"Special Agent, Aaron Hotchner?" one of the officers asked as he met them at the entrance.

"Yes and this is part of my team Agent's Jareau and Prentiss."

"Nice to meet you. The body was found over here." He said leading them down the hall to the painting and sculpture exhibit. They were led into a larger room with paintings all around. "She was found right there by that sculpture. The guard came in and didn't notice her at first, thought she was part of the exhibit."

They were looking around the area when Emily turned and asked, "Do you smell that?"

"No what do you smell?"

"Over here, look." she said pointing down to where there was a shoe print on the floor. In the print there was a small puddle of fluid.

"Can you smell it now?"

"Yeah we'll need to have that tested."

I have found my next art project and she is beautiful even more so than the last. My next idea is going to blow people away. I still haven't heard anything about my last piece yet, but I suspect it will happen soon enough.

She is seated on a bench in her backyard looking up at the stars, listening to her ipod. I have timed this perfectly and both her neighbours are away. She is alone now. I sneak up behind her, her head is tilted back as she looks up at the sky and before she knows what's happening I cover her perfect lips with the soaked rag.

I take my time stripping her naked, this canvas is even more perfect than my last. This time I will use purple, tan and green. Green like her eyes. The paints swirl together as I mix the colors to create my masterpiece.