Chapter 2: Briefing

"Okay, we need to find a common denominator between these victims, Lindsay Rogers, Nicole Colman, and Kelly Drake," Hotch commanded.

"Common denominator?" Grace asked, "they all go to the same school."

"We like to look for other things that link a victim," JJ explained, "things like classes, camps, church groups."

"Well, Lindsay Rogers was a cheerleader," Grace added.

"What was Nicole's schedule like?" Hotch asked.

"The usual math, science, and English classes," JJ said, "she was also a cheerleader."

"Let me guess," Morgan piped, "Kelly Drake was a cheerleader too."

"Yep."

"Good work, Grace," Hotch complimented, "this only confirms your theory that the unsub either knows them or works at the school."

"But why game day?" Reid asked, "I mean statistically-"

"REID!" everyone shouted. Grace looked at JJ who simply mouthed, "Don't ask."

"That's what we need to find out. Reid, talk to the coach. See if any players had an unusual interest in the cheerleaders. Rossi, you and Morgan talk to the principal and see if any other students were interested in cheerleaders."

"I'll talk to the victims' family and friends," JJ offered.

"Good," Hotch said, "Grace and I will set up at the station and work victimology."

As Hotch and Grace exited the plane last, Hotch said sternly, "You will be with me all the time."

"Yes sir," Grace was taken aback by his sternness.

"At least, until we can find a way to break it to the team," Hotch added gently.

"Now wouldn't be a good time," Grace said.

"No, which is why I insist you stay with me until we can tell them."

"Agent Hotchner?" the detective asked.

"Hi," he said, shaking his hand, "this is Agent Grace."

"Nice to meet you," he said, shaking the Iyoung woman's hand, "follow me."

"Detective, what do you plan to do because there's another game scheduled for Friday?"

"I plan to continue with the game as usual."

"With all due respect sir," Hotch added in a tone that indicated he didn't respect him, "three cheerleaders are dead. Their deaths coincided with their games and right now, your best suspects are the student and faculty."

"What can you tell me about the football coach?" the serial killer's daughter asked in a no-nonsense tone.

"Coach Kennedy?" the detective asked, "he's number one coach in the state. He's also our basketball coach. All the teams have been taken to championship."

"We have agents going over there to interview him now."

The detective scratched his head.

"I suppose I could have the school cancel the game. I mean, in the wake of these deaths, school security has been ramped up. The only thing is, people treat high school football like it's a religion here!"

"That could work to our advantage," Grace thought. Hotch raised his eyebrow.

"If the unsub is targeting cheerleaders on game day," Grace continued, "then the next game should draw him out. We'll continue on with the game like it's normal, but have extra security. Of course, we'll be there too. If one of the players or faculty is missing, we'll know about it."

"That's a great idea!" the detective exclaimed, "I'll have the school send more guards." As he walked away, Hotch smirked to himself. Grace Foyet definitely had her father's cleverness, but she used it for good.

"Coach Kennedy?" JJ asked. The football coach looked up from his office.

"How may I help you?" he asked.

"I'm Dr. Spencer Reid with the FBI. Mind if I ask you a few questions?"

"Oh, is this about those three cheerleaders?" Coach Kennedy asked, "God, I can't believe something like this would happen to my girls!"

"Your girls?" Reid asked.

"The football practice and cheer leading practices happen at the same time. So we can all be ready for the games. I tell, you Coach Walden—the cheer advisor is tore up about this. The cops already questioned her. She said all three were good girls. They loved what they did and never got in any trouble. Hell, they didn't have boyfriends, which if you ask me is pretty unusual," he chuckled.

"Have any of your players taken an interest in them?" Reid asked.

"They're high school boys, Dr. Reid. Whaddya expect?"

"This would've been obsessive. He would've been stalking them ahead of time. He would know their routines and he would've been sexually vulgar with them."

"No, no," Coach Kennedy shook his head, "I taught my boys respect. No, I haven't noticed anything like that."

"Okay, thank you for your time. Yeah Morgan?" Reid asked as he walked out the door.

"Mr. Waldrop, the principal couldn't give me any names," Morgan said.

"I talked to all three victim's families," JJ added, "Couldn't think of a single person who'd wanna hurt them."

"The unsub is someone in that school," Grace said, "I just know it."

"Gut feeling?" Rossi asked. Grace nodded. Ring Ring. That was Garcia on line one.

"Whatcha got for me babygirl?" Morgan asked.

"I've got something uber weird on the football coach. Geez, these schools really need to do their homework. In 1997, Mark Kennedy got arrested for fondling a fourteen year old. Within two years, he was back on the street! He's been the head basketball and football coach at Mayfield High School ever since!"

"Grace, you're gut knows what it's talking about," Rossi quipped.