Chapter Four:

Hotch and Sherwood were patrolling the neighborhood in search for suspicious activity, and to look at other crime scenes. After driving around for a while, Sherwood spoke up. "Did your FBI Agents tell you who the victim was, the guard."

"They told me he was a police officer, why didn't you mention that?" Hotch replied.

"Because I knew him." Sherwood admitted. "I worked with him."

"So what happened?"

"He got a call to the apartment, the one were the murders happened. He handled the situation well. The people were grateful." Sherwood said. "He made a point of handling problems in that area, and visiting off duty. Eventually he turned in his badge and became their security guard. I've seen police leave for private business to make money, but this wasn't it"

"Plenty of FBI Agents have left the bureau and made a killing with their experience." Hotch replied.

"Anyway, we should focus on the case. We probably won't see anything, he comes out at night. Let's check out some of the other crime scenes."

Hotch looked at the files and their addresses. He read them out to Sherwood who drove towards the one he said was closest.

The two of them arrived at an apartment complex similar to the one where the latest murder happened. Sherwood walked Hotch through the scene explaining what had happened. Using the pictures he was able to reconstruct the scene in his head.

Suddenly something occurred to Hotch. "Sherwood, all of the murders happened late at night, but the victims were not found in bed. Sounds like a pattern."

"Maybe." Sherwood replied.

"We had Garcia look at the victim's social media. Let's go deeper."

Garcia received a call from Hotchner. "Hi their Hotchie, what do you need."

"Garcia you said the victim had a Facebook. We need to dig deeper into his internet history."

"Onto it." Garcia replied.

Garcia looked into the man's Facebook page. Through that she found his email address. After searching for more logins involving the address, one stood out to her. An insomnia support group.

"Hotch I found something, check this out."

Hotch thanked her, and then sent her names of other victims. She looked into them and they to had logged into similar boards.

Hotch received the information of all of the victim and the forums the frequented. "I think it's time to go back to the station."

The sun was going down, but not fast enough for Jeff. He squeezed his knife again. This time he felt it. The thirst for blood. He let it course through his body. He loved that feeling, the craving that could not be sated. Always more more and more.

He stepped outside at looked at the sinking sun. "Long time no see." he remarked.

As Jeff walked down the street something occurred to him. The reason they called him the White Ripper. His white skin was due to being awake at night, the was something he could not help. But he always wore a white jacket. It had always sat in his mind that such a risk wasn't necessary. Force of habit he guessed, he liked the outfit.

As Jeff walked down the street he did not see anyone outside. No one taking a evening stroll. Maybe they were afraid, maybe just a coincidence. He didn't know.

Lost in thought Jeff had forgotten where he was going. He had just absently minded walked around the neighborhood. Where was his intended victim. He had picked him out online for a reason.

Maybe some other time. Jeff turned around and let his homing sense take over. He would find his way back

As Jeff walked he noticed a young man in his front yard, probably only a few years older than Jeff. The man seemed to notice Jeff. Maybe he recognized Jeff from the news, maybe he just thought Jeff looked suspicious.

This was the critical moment. To break or make eye contact. Jeff gripped his knife and felt the craving. He turned and looked the man straight into the eye. Now the man knew Jeff was looking for trouble. He started walking towards Jeff, and Jeff did the same.

At this point Jeff was not going to back down from the challenge. He had to see this through to the end. Here came the golden moment. Jeff pulled out his knife. The man, already suspicious, took a swing at Jeff. Now it was started.

Jeff ducked and swiped at him. The man thew big punches. Jeff dodged, but they still grazed him. He came in closer, and thrust at the man again, and took another thrust. The man dodged Jeff's knife, but Jeff was able to slug him with his free hand.

The man countered with a punch that slammed into Jeff's gut. He grabbed Jeff's knife and and slugged him again. The man was tough, he gave him that. But Jeff wasn't quitting, not giving in. He took more swings at the man, but he continued to punch back. The man grabbed Jeff's other hand and gripped it tight. Tighter than his knife hand, big mistake.

Before the man could react, Jeff thrust at him once more. He tried to stop Jeff's hand, but he couldn't slow it down in time. The blade hit flesh, first blood drawn.

Jeff then yanked back, pulling his knife hand free. The man swung again, but Jeff dodged and stabbed him. The man was still on his feet, but getting weaker. He lunged, but Jeff plunged his knife, deeper than before.

The man collapsed and Jeff stood over him. Jeff plunged his knife into the wounds. Go! To! Sleep!" he growled with each thrust.

The door to the house was unlocked, so Jeff walked in. Jeff walked down to the basement and saw another man on the couch. The man looked at Jeff with complete terror. Jeff loved that.

Jeff noticed where the man was looking, and moved his knife side to side. The man's eyes tracked it as it moved. "Did you kill my brother?" the man weakly asked.

From the resemblance Jeff figured it out. "He didn't die like a coward." Jeff sneered.

Jeff came closer and closer to the man, savoring his fear induced paralysis. Jeff rubbed his hand on his face. "Want to know how I got my scars?" he asked.

The man looked at Jeff confused. "Not telling you." Jeff snarled, and he stabbed the man in the gut.

Truth was, Jeff's father was pretty mean, but inflicting the scars was something he was innocent of. The real story was pretty embarrassing, that first break in, what a mess. But enough musing, Jeff had to get back to killing.