"Christmas is a holiday that persecutes the lonely, the frayed, and the rejected."
Jimmy Cannon
Quantico, Virginia
"The media named the unsub the Christmas Time Killer. The first known victim of the unsub was a 25-year-old black male, three years ago. That December, two more bodies were found with presumably similar cause of death, a businesswoman in her late fifties and a 19-year-old college student, both Caucasian" explained Hotch to the eagerly listening team.
"Then, as the new year came, the murders stopped" continued JJ. "However, as December came, five more bodies were found whose death was deemed the work of the same unsub" she said, showing pictures of the bodies.
"How do we know it's not just a copycat?" Morgan asked the obvious question.
"Based on the place and method of disposing of the bodies and the internal injuries reported in the autopsies, the correspondence was deemed more than just coincidence or a copycat" JJ answered. "The cases were the same, down to the smallest details that the general public was not informed of."
"For the next 11 months, silence" Hotch continued. "Then last December, four other bodies were found."
"So, the unsub is only active in December" Rossi mused. "And just… hibernates for the rest of the year?"
"For a serial killer to be able to restrain themselves for 11 whole month and keeping up with murdering their victims for years, means that they are highly intelligent, organised and precise. It seems like they treat killing their victims more like a long-term commitment" mumbled Reid, grimacing at his thoughts, going through the pages of the case files.
"So, why only December?" asked Morgan, putting his elbows on the table.
"The ancient Romans had several celebrations throughout December, to honour different deities. Sol Indiges was honoured on December 11. Dies natalis was held on December 13, Consualia on December 15, Saturnalia was held between December 17–23, Opiconsivia on December 19, Divalia on December 21, Larentalia on December 23, and the dies natalis of Sol Invictus was held on December 25" Dr. Reid finally finished his rambling, with all his colleagues looking at him with unsure and questioning faces. "But… These dates don't actually correspond to the modern Gregorian calendar dates…" he added, pressing his lips together.
"Fascinating" sighed an uninterested Rossi, leaning back in his chair with his arms folded. "But maybe there's simply something about the holiday season that inspires the unsub" he added.
"Nothing suggests that the murders are connected to any religious practices" Emily chimed in, turning the pages of the files.
"The Florida Attorney General specifically requested our help" JJ added. "Whatever the reasons might be, he really wants to put an end to this case."
With an acknowledging nod, Hotch told the team to gather their belongings, as the plane will leave in 20 minutes.
Miami, Florida
As the leader of the team, Hotch knows how hard it can be to be a mediator but also a protector of his team when faced with powerful political figures. Over the years, they also had to work with some annoying, problematic and distrustful people. But never had he ever met anyone like the Florida Attorney General. Arrogant, smug, continuously acting like he's better than all these talented and accomplished officers, layers and doctors working on the case, under his supervision. Strauss warned him not to be on the wrong side of this man, but it was really hard for him not to put him in his place, and apparently, it showed.
"We have a consultant who we've worked with in the past" Hotch commented, indicating that they don't need to find an outsider forensic pathologist to help the team.
"Oh, do you?" the Attorney General asked with a cocky attitude, making Hotch's blood boil, along with basically all the other team members in the conference room. "Well, maybe I know an even better one" he grinned, as Rossi and Hotch looked at each other silently.
"Without even knowing who the FBI consultant is?" Hotch asked with as much composure as he could muster.
"I know only the best, so I don't need to know who your guy is" he added. "I'll just need to get her number."
And with that, they saw the Attorney General making numerous phone calls to get that desired phone number.
Isabelle was on a long weekend trip with her friends, celebrating the upcoming wedding of one of them. Currently, they were out having a spa day with the girls, listening to the bride-to-be's ideas related to the flower arrangements at the tables during the wedding, when a very flustered employee approached them.
"Good afternoon, ladies" she smiled nervously. "Is everything alright? Are you enjoying your stay?"
"Oh, absolutely, darling" the bride-to-be grinned happily. "Everything is just amazing, thank you."
"I… I'm happy to hear that. And if there is anything else we could…" the employee tried to continue but was cut off by another of Isabelle's friends.
"Don't worry, everything's fine" she tried to ease the nerves of the employee.
"Right… Right… Umm, I'm so, so terribly sorry for bothering you, but… umm… there is a call for umm… Dr. Isabelle Deveaux?" she said in a questioning tone, looking around the ladies.
"Thank you" Isabelle nodded with a kind smile. "I'll be there in a second."
"What?" the bride-to-be asked with irritation. "Can't they leave you alone for a day?"
"Come on, Belle" another friend added with a loud sigh.
"The good ol' Reaper never sleeps, girls" Isabelle said, making the others protest her dark humour, as she followed the employee to the phone.
"Deveaux" she answered the phone simply, wondering what might be the issue that made someone go through all the trouble to reach her here.
"Andrew Addams, Florida Attorney General" he said proudly, looking at Hotch with arrogance. "There is a case of utmost importance that requires the best of the best experts, and my office would like to commission you to be on my team. As I understand, you are currently in Miami. Is that correct?"
"The audacity of some men is just astonishing" she said after a few seconds of silence, making everyone in the room wide-eyed.
"Isabelle…" Addams started with a more lowly tone.
"How dare you call me up with that haughty arrogant attitude of yours after all these years to just casually ask me for help? The best of the best?" she asked with a sarcastic voice. "Why do you think that I would like to spend my vacation working with you and your team?" she asked, flabbergasted, making the attorney general visibly uncomfortable.
"I… Look, I…" he tried explaining but was fortunately cut off by the BAU leader.
"Good morning, Dr. Deveaux. This is SSA Aaron Hotchner" he stepped in, unknowingly saving the situation and probably the whole case. "I'm sorry that we have to bother you during your vacation. We're here with the team also as consultants to hopefully solve a several-year-long case. And I'm afraid the Attorney General is right about needing your expertise and experience if we want to progress before the unsub strikes again."
This was followed by a long silence and a deep sigh from Isabelle.
"At least someone has manners" she commented, frustrated. "Turn off the speaker, Addams."
And he did exactly that, as he walked out to the small room next to them. After this exchange, Morgan and the ladies couldn't stop grinning at each other, while Rossi just looked at Hotch with an appreciative expression.
"Who would've thought our good doctor can make even an attorney general cower" Rossi commented, as Hotch noticeably avoided the older man's gaze, only watching the attorney general finishing his call.
"She is terrifying" Garcia whispered to Emily, earning a grin from the latter agent.
After about 40 minutes, a much calmer Dr. Deveaux entered the building, wearing an elegant yellow two-piece suit, a black satin cowl neck top. The beach waves of her platinum blonde hair were slightly bouncing with each step she took, with her high heels echoing through the hallway. The attorney general was already waiting for her, inviting her to a separate room before she was given the material to work with.
"These autopsy reports are borderline useless" Isabelle murmured, finishing the report for the last victim from two years ago.
So far, nothing really made any sense to her, and it really bothered her. She was so immersed in the documents, that she didn't even hear the door opening.
"Good afternoon, Doctor Deveaux" Rossi greeted, grabbing her attention.
"Agent Rossi" she nodded in response. "How are things going upstairs?"
"Very slowly" he sighed. "Even with all the men the Attorney General provided us… Any luck in here?" he asked, already knowing the answer based on her expression.
"Not really" she sighed, stretching her back. "You wanna grab a coffee?"
"Pardon?" Rossi asked in return, surprised by the question.
"Well, I'll definitely need more coffee for the rest of these" she motioned to her computer, while getting her blazer and bag.
"I just finished mine" he replied simply. "But would love to accompany you to the nearest café" Rossi smiled kindly, holding the door for the doctor.
During their few-minute walk to the café, they chit-chatted about basically anything but the case. The Florida weather, weddings, bachelor and bachelorette parties… Despite the initial looks and impression, Rossi found the young forensic pathologist to be a very easy-going and approachable person.
"A cappuccino with two sugars, please" she ordered at the café, while Rossi waited for her a few steps behind.
As she looked up at the mirror behind the barista, she saw black silhouettes standing behind her. Thirteen. Twelve of them were just faceless humanoid forms, but one of them, the one standing right behind her seemed to have large empty sockets where the eyes should be, and the mouth… Just looking at the gaping hole in the middle of its face made her dizzy and nauseous… Then she realised what they wanted. One more silhouette than the currently known victims. So they were missing something. Or someone, to be more precise. With nobody else waiting for their caffeine intake to be prepared, she got her order rather fast, and they casually made their way back to the station with Rossi. Upon arrival, she did notice the dirty looks the attorney general and his assistant gave them. Not like she cared.
"Agent Rossi, your technical analyst is also present here at the office, right?" she asked, as they reached the elevator.
"She is" Rossi smiled with interest, as he motioned her to follow him to the meeting room.
As they entered, Hotch and Reid were working on the possible geographical area of the unsub, with Penelope making the changes to the projected map based on their analysis. She didn't want to disturb them, indicating this to Rossi, so they just stood by the door, listening to the other agents working. Looking around the room, she saw two wide whiteboards, with pictures of the victims, the cause of death, the location of the bodies, etc. included. Listening to the agents, she knew they had the same issue as her. Things just made no sense.
"Dr. Deveaux" Hotch greeted, surprised to see the doctor here, as Dr. Reid and Penelope suddenly stood up, looking at her with wide eyes, like wild rabbits in front of the headlights.
Rossi, Hotch and Isabelle looked at the two with questioning and confused faces.
"I hope I didn't disturb you" Isabelle finally broke the silence, as she sat down two seats from Penelope, who was still standing along with the perplexed Dr. Reid. "I just wanted to ask for some help from your IT specialist, if you don't mind" she continued, looking at the head agent, who returned her gaze after eyeing Penelope for a few seconds.
"Garcia" Hotch called her out, with a not-too-serious sounding voice.
"Me?" she asked in panic, looking at her boss, then at Dr. Reid, who finally decided to sit down. "Me" she sighed, also sitting down, looking at Dr. Deveaux in terror.
"If that's okay with you" Isabelle said to her with a calming voice.
"I… Uh, yeah… Uh… Of course, ma'am" she breathed out, readying herself for whatever the terrifying doctor was about to say. "Doctor" she quickly corrected herself, expecting some kind of retaliation for her mistake.
"I don't think we've actually met before, have we" Isabelle said, extending her hand towards the tense analyst. "I'm Isabelle."
"Isabelle?" Garcia asked in return, returning the handshake. "Just… Isabelle?"
"Just Isabelle" she replied reassuringly, seeing a small smile forming on the computer whizz's face.
"Alrighty. Penelope Garcia, oracle of all things knowable, at your service" she grinned happily, cracking her knuckles. "Oh, I mean…" she continued with an embarrassed look, side-eyeing the always sombre-looking Hotchner. "Penelope Garcia. But feel free to call me Penelope. What can I do for you?"
"Well, Penelope" Isabelle started, trying her hardest not to laugh at the analyst's performance. "I was wondering if you could help me find some files of patients who passed away in any of the city's hospitals in the past three Decembers, since the murders started" as she said that, Penelope already started working on the list of people.
"Anything specific we're looking for?" Garcia asked, as the other agents looked at the ladies with interest.
"Any race and gender, admitted to the hospital while unconscious, during the month of December each year. The cause of death is not related to any physical trauma, accident or infectious diseases but heart, lung, kidney or liver issues, or some kind of poisoning" she finished.
"For the past three years, there are over 200 people who fit this description" Garcia said with an unenthusiastic voice.
"Exclude any cancer patients, anyone who was waiting for an organ transplant, who had been bed-ridden before admission, was on dialysis, oxygen treatment…" Isabelle continued.
"That's more like it, we're below 150" Penelope added, with a much happier voice.
"Age should be above 18" Dr. Reid added. "There is no indication of the unsub's preference for under-age victims."
"118" Garcia replied, looking up at Isabelle.
"Exclude any suicide victims as well" Isabelle said after a few seconds of silence.
"Oh my god" Garcia exhaled. "There's only 67 matches left."
"Can you send me these files?" Isabelle asked, leaning back in her chair.
"Do you think that some victims were disposed of before they passed away?" Hotch asked with a slight distrust in his voice, something Isabelle could easily pick up on.
"This wouldn't fit the unsub's m.o." Dr. Reid added with a thoughtful voice. "…unless something didn't go according to his plans."
"What I think is that this…" she motioned to the whiteboards with the victim's data on. "... makes no sense so far. At least not medically. And generally, when there is no common denominator for a set of victims where it should be, I assume that some data might be missing."
As Garcia looked at Hotch for confirmation, he gave her a slight nod, indicating that she could send the files to Dr. Deveaux. As she was getting up from the desk, thanking Garcia for their help, Hotch couldn't help himself…
"Do you need any help with the reports?" he asked, making the forensic pathologist stop and slowly turn around.
She was pissed. Not only she had to work with her ex whose marriage proposal she declined before leaving for her one-year-long exchange program to Japan, now, the alpha male of the BAU was also up her ass. Whenever they worked together, she never failed to assist them to solve the cases, still, this pompous and arrogant douche was still questioning her expert knowledge.
"No, thank you Agent" she replied simply, with a forced smile, before she unceremoniously left.
The next day, the BAU team, Isabelle and a group of the local cops were having a meeting just before the day was over, which was basically a long scolding from a very angry and opinionated attorney general, who didn't fail to mention everyone by name and their respective failure to solve the case. As Isabelle was listening to the whole ordeal, she was looking at the whiteboards, specifically the causes of the victims' deaths and other medical information regarding them. Renal failure… Congestive heart failure and pulmonary oedema… Renal injury from tubular necrosis with haematuria… Calcium oxalate crystal precipitation in the myocardium in dead kidney tissue…
There was something bothering her. An idea in the back of her mind that she couldn't formulate. At least not so far. She leaned back in her chair, folding her arms, as the idea finally started forming in her head.
Hotch was looking around at the bored and angry people in the room, everyone was fed up with the attorney general who was basically wasting their time with this meeting. And then his eyes settled on a very serious-looking Dr. Deveaux. He knew he offended the doctor yesterday. It wasn't his goal to do so, but he just couldn't help himself. Yes, he was generally less trusting when it came to women, especially one who was not part of his team. Still, she was getting on his nerves more than usual. Probably because of her usually unprofessional looks…
Then, finally, the meeting was over. Hotch watched as a local cop approached Dr. Deveaux and after a short talk, they exited the building. The same cop who took her back to her hotel yesterday and brought her to the station today. Presumably, the attorney general arranged her travels.
"Ready for a night shift?" asked Morgan, handing his boss a big cup of coffee.
"Let's recap everything we know" he replied with a nod, gathering the team in the conference room.
As they were discussing the details of each murder, Reid was strangely quiet.
"She might be right" he finally said in the middle of the conversation.
He didn't like all of the fuss this attorney general was making about his case. He didn't understand why he was so bothered about a few extra dead bodies every December. A lot of people died throughout the year. Also, the people he killed, all of them deserved what they got. And now a whole FBI unit is here to catch him… But they were not the ones that he was worried about. Yesterday's papers were full of reports about a forensic pathologist joining the team. He checked online, and she seemed like a competent doctor. Too competent. During his career, he made one tiny mistake. Just one mistake. Something a highly skilled forensic pathologist will surely find. And he couldn't let that happen.
He was sitting in the black van he just stole, parking in an alley outside of the police station. Waiting patiently. And finally she came out of the building with the same police officer she was with yesterday evening and this morning. As she was walking toward the passenger's seat, he put the van in reverse, backing up from the alley, his leather gloves squeaking on the steering wheel. It was already late, with almost no traffic. Most of the traffic lights were already turned off, with the orange light lazily flashing. He had to do this, before she exposed his only mistake.
He was in position, waiting for the police car to arrive to one of the only still working traffic lights. The lights changed every 40 seconds. He measured it. Seeing the car stop at the red light, he checked his clock. In 7 seconds, he re-started the engine, and accelerated as much as he could. When the police car started crossing the intersection, the driver had no time to avoid him, as the van collided with the passenger side. Keeping as much speed as possible, he quickly left the scene. He was proud of himself. Now he only had to dispose of the car somewhere that cannot be linked to him, and he can have another successful December.