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Chapter four.
Reid took out his phone, calling Garcia.
"Hey Garcia, could you search for a taxi ID number 7B98."
"Sure kittycat, give me two seconds..." She went quiet for a moment and I shuffled on the spot, I didn't have a relationship with Garcia yet so I thought it best to stay quiet. "So, his name is Lucas Rodriguez, I can't find much on the guy other than the fact he owns a few different properties across New York City."
"Would you mind sending those addresses over to us?"
"Already done my prince."
"Thanks Garcia." Reid hung up, sliding his phone back into his pocket.
"So, what do we know about this guy?" I fought back another yawn, stretching my arms up before rolling my shoulders.
"Lucas Rodriguez could be our Unsub. He owns numerous properties across the City – he fits the profile, he had access to these women the whole time, all they needed to do is climb into his cab and they'd disappear..."
"We need to get back to the station."
"I'll call Hotch on the way."
We walked back into the station, Hotchner and the team already making separate groups to send out to each of the addresses.
"The guy owns six properties. Davis, you and I are going to head to the one by the port. Reid you'll head off with Morgan."
Everyone else had already been advised who they would be partnered with and where they would be going. We all had a small task force, just in case this guy had any fight in him – which I already knew he did anyway from his reaction to me earlier today.
"Be aware that Rodriguez could be dangerous, we want these victims back alive. Everyone ready?"
Everyone nodded or spoke their reply, making their way out of the station. "Davis put this on." Hotchner handed me a vest and I did as I was ordered, like I needed to be told twice.
"You going to be alright aiming that." Hotchner gestured to my gun as we walked out the station, opening the passenger side for the second time and sliding in.
"Yes sir. We do you ask?"
"I'm a profiler and I'm not blind, I can see you are exhausted."
I looked at him as he took off, surprised that I've got these many words out of the guy. "You can trust me sir."
My senior Agent averted his gaze off the road a moment to look into my eyes, his tone blunt. "Trust is earned."
I didn't pull away until he did, I clearly haven't made the best impression with him otherwise he wouldn't feel so un-easy with me but then again... Why did he partner himself with me?
The journey didn't take long, handy thing about having flashing red and blue lights – everyone just moves out the way. We stopped outside a large run-down building, the sun was down now and the clouds decided it was now a good time to rain. What a cliché. Inside the building we could see faint yellow lights, from afar you'd think nothing of it but it's a little bit suspicious when you know what could be inside.
"Stay alert, don't get yourself into trouble. Have my back and I'll have yours."
Hotchner got out the car and I took a shaky breath, it's been a while since I've been on this kind of mission. Back in England the things that happened like this went down pretty quickly, guns aren't as easy to obtain there as they are here. I got out the car, walking round to stand beside my superior – this was going to be an experience that I won't forget, although I don't think any of the team forgot any of their cases, it's something that stays with you for life.
"Keep quiet and wait for my signal. If this guy is here, we don't want him to panic – we don't know how he will react."
I nodded and everyone moved, I flanked Hotchner – my eyes scanning my surroundings in case we got any unruly surprises. As we moved closer to the door I could hear a woman speaking, she sounded terrified, Hotchner raised his hand and I stopped – my eyes looking at him as my heart jumped in my chest.
"Get ready to breech..." He whispered and I moved to the other side of the door, two other officers prepping behind us. "FBI!" Inside I could hear movement and a different voice of a woman scream, something didn't sound right though – it sounded slightly crackled.
Hotchner gave the order and the officers broke down the door, moving in first and Hotchner and I entered afterwards. The scene that was left for us was something that would haunt my dreams for ever. In the center of this large empty space were the ten women, their naked bodies hung from their wrists, dangling a few feet of the floor.
"Oh my god..." I breathed, my eyes looking at each of the ten women. "He killed them all..." Each of the women were at different stages of decomposition, he even had all the footage of the torture they suffered spread across numerous monitors. "How can somebody do this..." I shook my head and turned away as the officers cleared the area.
"He's not here sir." One of them spoke to Hotchner who grabbed the radio, speaking down for the rest of the team to here. "We found the victims, all DOA."
I left the building, the smell and sight making my stomach turn a little. Never in my lifetime have I seen anything as bad as that and I know with this job, it's not going to get any better.
"Damn it..." I slammed my palm again the wall. "We're too late..." I hissed under my breath as I heard a crash coming from the front of the building. Immediately I brought my weapon up, slowly creeping around the front to see Rodriguez running toward the container terminals.
I spoke into my radio, calling for assistance as I ran in after him. I could hear Hotchner behind me with the officers and he caught up as I stopped at one of the rows of containers.
"I don't know which one he went down sir..." I looked at Hotchner, my hair sticking to my scalp and cheeks as the rain got heavier.
"Everyone spread out! Back up is on its way. Keep your eyes peeled." I nodded at him and walked down the central pathway, Hotchner going to the next on my right. This was tense, I knew it would be tense but this place has a lot of shadows and dark places for him to hide. I switched on my torch, my eyes scanning the areas beside me and in front of me. "Come on you son of a bitch..." I muttered, my eyes darting to my left as I saw him run across the pathway in front of me – heading toward the water.
"Sir I see him!" I shouted, my voice carrying over the lot. I sprinted forward, my boots splashing in the already deep puddles. We can get this guy, I won't be able to sleep without this guy behind bars.
I followed him toward the water line, my gun raised as I did a three sixty turn to observe my surroundings. "Where are you..." I whispered, I could hear footsteps and Hotchner shouting orders in the distance. "You like mutilating women? What was it? Get bored one day and fancied becoming a butcherer?" I paused, my eyes scanning the darkness – my steps getting closer and closer to the edge of the harbor. "Or was it that the one women who you had control of finally left you? Because she knew what kind of monster you really are."
"No! You're wrong!" Rodriguez stepped out of the shadows behind me, I turned and aimed my gun at him, his pistol already aimed at me.
"If I'm wrong... Put down your gun and let's talk about it at the station." I saw Hotchner to his right, taking cover in the darkness. "Come on Lucas... You need help okay. Let us help you." I lowered my weapon, my gaze on Hotchner – where the hell were the other guys?
"They tried to fight back but they all gave in..."
My lips pursed, my empty hand clenching until my knuckles turned white. "Rodriguez, lower your weapon." Hotchner walked forward, his gun aimed straight at him. "You've got nowhere to go, it's over."
"It will never be over." His tone was filled with malice and Lucas fired, I didn't know what was going on until I started stumbling backward. More shots filled the air as I lost my footing, tumbling over the harbor's ledge, falling freely until I hit the ice-cold water. My chest was already screaming and I sank, my eyes squeezed shut as pain shot across my chest. I kicked my feet, refusing to give up and I broke the surface – inhaling a deep breath of air.
"Davis! Davis hold on!" Reid shouted down to me, my mind fuzzy as a slight high pitch noise rang in my ear. When did he get here? I looked down, feeling my vest – two bullets lodged into it.
"I'm okay!" I hissed, pain spiking again. I turned my body in the water and began to swim slowly to the ladder a good few meters away. "It's so fucking... cold..." I groaned, my arm reaching for the ladder before I felt two pairs of hands grabbed mine, dragging me out the water.
"Are you hit?" Morgan and Hotchner were looking me over and I shook my head, pulling at the side of the vest – trying to get it off.
"No... I hit the vest, I'm just..." I took another breath, "Winded." They looked at me and Morgan pulled off his jacket, draping it over my shoulders as we walked back up the steps to the harbor wall. "What happened to Rodriguez?" I questioned, my teeth chattering together as we reached the area of where I fell. Rodriguez was lying in a puddle of his own blood, three bullet wounds in his chest. "Good shot." My eyes looking over to Hotchner who nodded.
"You need to go get yourself checked over by the medics." Hotchner spoke, Morgan nodding beside me in agreement.
"I'm okay... Just cold..." I gave them a smile and they didn't look like they were in the mood to argue. "Fine..."
"Once you've been given the all clear, we'll head back to the hotel." Agent Hotchner walked off and I watched him, he was so professional in all this – kept his head clear... I think I'm starting to respect him for that. I shivered, I must have water in my brain.
"Come on Red, let's go." I quickly looked up at Morgan, did he just give me a nickname? My heart warmed slightly as he guided me over to the EMT's. I think I might be okay in this team after all.