Welcome to this slightly longer chapter. More of the grim case in this one.
FOUR: A Sign Unto You
The next morning, Bob and Jenny, the trailer owners, brought hot drinks out to them: coffee for Hotch, tea for Beth and hot chocolate for Jack.
"This is so nice of you," Beth said.
Jenny waved the comment away. "They're complimentary in the hotel, and you really ought to be staying in there. When Bob told me he let you sleep in the trailer I told him we should be sleeping down here, and you should have our room... but apparently even one extra person will put them over the fire code limit, and there are three of you... At least you and your little boy could swap with us..."
"We want to stay together," Beth said. "And... Jack isn't actually my son, but he is Aaron's."
"It's a little complicated," Hotch said, hoping to move away from the subject of their odd arrangement.
"Nothing wrong with that," Bob declared. "Family's family."
"When are you going to need to head out of here? Were you passing through, or?"
"Nope, just regular evacuees... there is a show south of here we thought about trying hit, but with you folks needing a place to sleep and the roads being bumper-to-bumper right now anyway, we might as well stay put."
"Can I pet the horses?" Jack asked, sounding like he'd been wanting to cut in for a while now, but knew better than to interrupt.
"Sorry," Hotch said. "He's been peeking through the window at them..."
"It's fine," Jenny said, smiling. "Sure, you can pet them if it's okay with your dad. But you have to promise to do it the right way. I'll teach you, okay?"
"Okay," Jack said. "Is it okay, daddy?"
Hotch nodded. "All right."
Jenny took Jack into the back of the trailer, instructing him not to ever go in with the horses by himself. While she explained how to approach the horses, Hotch checked the time.
"I need to get to the station..." Hotch looked at Beth. She looked tense. "Are you okay?"
She nodded and sighed, rubbing her stomach.
"Was it a contraction?"
"I don't think so." She smiled. "It's okay. You need to go. I'll call you if something happens."
"We'll keep an eye on them," Bob offered. "We just got our first grandchild last year." He got out his wallet to show a picture to Beth, who crooned in delight. "Jenny loves everything about babies, and there's not a lot to do while you're waiting around to get the all-clear to go back home; we'll be glad of the company."
"I really appreciate it," Hotch said. "Call me if anything comes up; Beth can give you my number. And try not to spoil Jack. He's pretty obedient, but he'll exploit a weakness if he finds one."
Bob laughed. "Got it."
The team worked the case, narrowing their suspect pool little by little. They weren't sure whether the unsub was a citizen, an outsider or someone who had grown up in Bethlehem and recently returned.
"He's been here too long to have been evacuated here," Emily said. "Unless he's been coming and going before and then got evacuated..."
"We still don't know why they're being killed," said Morgan. "Most of the babies were smothered, which is more of a feminine MO, but most signs point to the unsub being male..."
"Maybe he can't stand hearing them crying," JJ suggested. "Maybe he has kids of his own and he doesn't like hearing them or looking at them because it makes him think of his kids."
"Let's try that angle. Garcia, look for young fathers."
"It'll take me a little while to narrow that down, but I'll do my best and get back to you soon," Garcia said.
"He could be smothering them just to ensure no one will hear the killing," Morgan said.
"Maybe, but all but two were killed that way, and most of them were abducted first," Hotch reminded him. "He could have taken them somewhere where they wouldn't be overheard."
Prentiss, who had been flipping through her folders for a minute, said, "Yeah, the only ones that weren't smothered were killed immediately, not abducted and taken somewhere else. So, the smothering wasn't an apprehension countermeasure. It's more likely that the... other method... was used because it was quicker."
She couldn't bring herself to describe the other two killings. One had been a snapped neck, and the other non-smothered victim had been dropped, or perhaps thrown, on the floor.
"Is it possible that one of those two outside our MO box could have been perpetrated by the parents?" JJ asked, a distasteful expression on her face. "They could have used the unsub's killings as a cover."
"Possibly," said Hotch. "But right now our focus needs to be on finding the unsub before he kills again."
Garcia's phone rang. "It's Reid," she reported. Hotch nodded to her and she answered it. After a short conversation, she ended the call. "Reid thinks they may have found a new chatroom set up by that king-wanna-be guy. I need to see if I can hack into it."
"Go ahead. I'll let you know if we need you."
Many miles west of Bethlehem, Reid, Rossi and Gideon were ready for an infiltration. The chatroom they were about to enter required a password, but anyone was allowed to share the password if they found someone trustworthy enough. By hacking the backlogs, Garcia found the username of a regular visitor who logged in only at specific times. This user, FutureSeeker666, was unlikely to log in for at least the next four hours.
"You probably shouldn't all go in at once," Garcia told Reid over the phone. "If time weren't so short, I'd say you should build up their confidence in you over a period of weeks..."
"I know," said Reid. "But if this guy really does pose a threat to national security, we can't afford to take our time."
"Okay. I'm sending you the password. I'll be lurking, but Hotch may need me for something here, so don't count on me to bail you out."
"All right." Once he had the password, Reid joined the chatroom.
User Genius187 has entered the chatroom.
Various users greeted the newcomer.
Majesty: Hello, Genius. You're new.
Genius187: Yeah. FutureSeeker told me about you. Glad I caught you online.
Majesty: You're interested in our vision for the future?
Genius187: Absolutely. This country needs a change.
Majesty: I take it you're in the US then
Genius187: I am. A little nervous about that "star" to the east.
BeTheChange: We were just talking about that. It seems like a sign that it's almost time for Majesty to take the throne.
NewAge25: But there are other signs floating around, too...
Genius187: No way, I was just telling my pal about these prophecies people think will come true soon. Something about a savior baby being born. Sounds crazy, but I thought if it's true the star might be for him.
Majesty: Who is this pal of yours?
Genius187: Met in another chatroom. He's into history and mythology and stuff. Hang on; I'll ask him to join.
Majesty: Is he friendly to the cause?
Genius187: I think he's neutral at worst. He's more interested in figuring out what these prophecies mean than anything else
NewAge25: I'd be interested to hear what he has to say. I don't know much about prophecy but I've heard rumors
User Scribe has entered the chatroom.
Genius187: There he is.
NewAge25: Welcome, Scribe.
BeTheChange: Hey. Genius says you know about prophecies and stuff.
Scribe: Hello.
Scribe: Yes, I make quite a study of ancient texts... I was told that Majesty is hoping to become king, but I'm not sure he fits the prophecies.
Majesty: You're talking about that virgin birth thing?
Scribe: That's a big one, yes. Then there's the one about someone reigning until the savior comes. I don't know if that's the current administration, or if it could be referring to someone like you. There's one about his star appearing in the east. One about him being born in poverty, one about him being called Immanuel. Those don't seem to fit you, Majesty.
Genius187: My colleague and I were thinking we should just follow the star and see where it takes us. They say the comet or whatever is almost at its closest proximity to earth and will pass by soon. If it's going to reveal this messiah kid, it will have to be soon.
Scribe: I'd be interested in joining you. The most likely location seems to be Bethlehem - there's a prophecy about that town too.
Genius187: It's crazy-packed with evacuees right now, but I guess that's a good cover for going in to look.
Majesty: I've been keeping an eye on that town myself. I thought I was just being paranoid, but now that you say all that, I think I was right to think the child might be born there.
Scribe: Paranoid? What's a little baby going to do to you?
NewAge25: Yeah really lol
Majesty: Of course you're right
Genius187: Hang on my colleague's gonna sign in
Majesty: The one planning to travel with you?
Genius187: Yeah
User MagiX3 has entered the chatroom.
BeTheChange: Welcome
NewAge25: Hi Magi!
MagiX3: I've been watching the conversation over Genius187's shoulder...
MagiX3: I've been a student of astrology for several years and I definitely think this comet is more than a random coincidence.
Majesty: You think it signals the birth of a king?
MagiX3: Undoubtedly, and I think it's a literal birth. A baby has been born or will be born soon, and that baby is going to be a great king or something. I've already asked for time off from work. I want to chase that star.
Genius187: So it looks like we're going. We'll start with Bethlehem and see what happens.
Scribe: I'm not far from you guys either. I could meet up with you on the way.
Genius187: That would be awesome! I've been wanting to meet you irl.
Majesty: I want you to keep me updated on this. Let me know the moment you find the little prince.
Majesty: If he's destined to rule he could be a valuable ally. I would want to take him a gift of goodwill.
Scribe: A gift is a good idea. We should take gifts with us.
Scribe: This kid is supposed to be born into a poor family, so he'll need some wealth to outfit him properly. I can set up a trust fund for him.
MagiX3: Nice. It's a celebration, right? I'll take him some flowers. Lilies represent innocence, don't they?
Scribe: That's a good choice.
Genius187: He'll have to make a lot of important speeches someday. I can give him his first tie.
MagiX3: I thought I was going cheap.
Genius187: Hey, it'll be real silk. A nice, formal, black tie.
NewAge25: Sounds like you guys are outfitting him for a funeral lol
Majesty: Just remember to tell me what you find. This could be really important.
Scribe: We will. I can leave as soon as tomorrow morning, if that works for you guys.
Genius187: Sure, Scribe. I'll pm you in the other chatroom. Oh before I forget
Genius187: do you change the password here regularly?
Majesty: This one is new. We haven't changed it yet.
MagiX3: Probably a good idea to change it often.
BeTheChange: True. What should we change it to?
NewAge25: Longlivetheking?
Genius187: That's a little simple
Genius187: If you convert some of the letters to numbers, even with the simplest of codes, it will increase the security of the password exponentially.
MagiX3: Here he goes; he's always talking about codes and numbers...
NewAge25: lol
Genius187: Lon7Liv5t8ek9ng
BeTheChange: god howm I supposed to remember that? I'll have to write it down...
Scribe: Just remember the pattern of letters that have been switched for numbers: last, last, second, second. It's not too hard.
Majesty: Definitely avoid writing it down if you can.
Genius187: I'll give it to FutureSeeker. Who else needs to know?
NewAge25: I can tell Overwatch.
Majesty: I'll let the others know.
MagiX3: ok so we're covered. Guess I should go pack an overnight bag. lol
Scribe: Same here. And I have to visit the bank...
MagiX3: see you later
User MagiX3 has left the chatroom.
Genius187: I'm really excited about this. And meeting you, Scribe.
Scribe: lol same here. See you in the other room. Bye, all
User Scribe has left the chatroom.
BeTheChange: Last, last, second, second... I think I can remember that. Oh, we're doing the first two words capitalized, too?
Genius187: lol yup
BeTheChange: Crap. Long Live... the king... 4 4 2 2... ok I think I've got it.
Genius187: ok well I gotta go now. Great meeting everyone. Majesty, I hope you get your throne soon.
Majesty: Check in soon, Genius.
Genius187: I'll keep you posted ^^
User Genius187 has left the chatroom.
Reid sighed. "That was really stressful..."
"Garcia," said Rossi, "let us know if and when he changes the password."
"I'm all over it," Garcia responded. "Poor FutureSeeker666 will be locked out forever. Mwa ha ha... or, at least until this is over."
"I almost feel sorry for him," said Gideon.
"Well, we can't risk him spilling that he actually wasn't the one who told Reid about the chatroom and gave him the password."
"I know."
"He's an anarchist anyway," said Rossi. "He'll find plenty of trouble to get into elsewhere. I'm just glad he's not in this country."
"Before they were talking about recruiting people and stockpiling weapons," said Garcia. "I didn't expect the conversation to go this way."
"We may be able to lure him out if we pretend to find this threat to his monarchy," Gideon said. "We'll run it by Hotch."
It's obvious which username was Reid's; can you tell Rossi from Gideon? :p