I do not own Criminal Minds or its characters, including Theo. I do own Jackie, Lucas, Jo, PJ, and Dexter.
Please be advise that this chapter includes content that some may find disturbing. Remember that this story is for mature audiences only.
Graphic Warning: Viewer Discretion Advised
Also, I've left an important message at the end of this chapter. It's vital that you read it!
"You certain that this is the same unsub as before?" Theo asked PJ. His friend had just arrived at the Police Station from autopsy. Theo was meeting him right away to see what he found. PJ confirmed that Shepherd's and Archer's suspicious about their unsub being a professional hunter was correct. However, he added some more details about their theory.
"His form of killing may seem different with each victim he targets to the naked eye" PJ explained. "But, after further examination, I've discovered that he uses the exact same technique of allowing his victims to suffer before delivering the final blow. It has to be the same person as before."
Theo nodded. So, they were dealing with a reappearing killer. That could help to eliminate potential suspects from the previous case. Hopefully, Dexter found something from his online search.
"Good work" he said firmly. "But, we still need to figure out what this guy's goal here. Is he killing just for the sake of killing or does he have another motive with all the victims he's targeting that we're not seeing?" He began pacing back and forth while his head was clouded with thoughts.
"If he is killing at random, then that would mean that he only does it for the thrill of it" PJ told him.
"Opportunist killers usually have some kind of history of violent behavior" Theo spoke his thoughts out loud. "Right now, we should focus on the eleven remaining suspects from the last spree. One of them could still be the killer."
When they made it to their stationed office, the rest of the team was there. Dexter was already on a large screen that was above the end of the long table for them all to see. Good, now they can all hear their tech analysis say what his research has found.
"Logan, did you find anything on those eleven suspects?" he asked right away.
Dexter answered quickly. "After going over every single one of their background checks, which took a toll on my poor computer fingers. Thank you very much! I did find something on one of the original suspects. But, I'm not sure if it relates to the case."
"Anything can be important" Jo told him. "We can't leave anything out of this investigation. What did you find, Logan"
"Well, I was doing some digging to see if any of those eleven individuals have a record. And while eight of the suspects do have some criminal charges, they only involve destruction of property and littering. Except for this one man name Robert Codies. His was based on animal abuse charges."
That got Theo's attention. "What were the charges against?"
"Codies had apparently ran over a coyote with his mower. Then he taped its mouth shut and showed it off at a local restaurant while the animal was still alive. He'd spent an hour showing it off before he beat it to death with a bat. He served six months in jail for animal abuse and public endangerment and paid a fine of $500. Not enough of a punishment if you know what I'm saying." Theo noticed that Jackie was nodding at the last thing Dexter said.
That was when Lucas sat up. "None of the victims were beaten to death with a bat."
"Still" Jo spoke up. "Codies has a history of violence. Wouldn't surprise me if he took it out on humans."
"Figures" Jackie spoke with her arms crossed. "Never trust anyone who abuses animals."
They all stared at her in annoyance. Did she really have to make a sarcastic comment right now?
She shrugged. "What? I love animals."
"Focus" Theo told them. "Logan, does Codies have any hunting experience?"
Dexter nodded. "Actually, yes. He even uses his credit card to buy all of the newest hunting rifles and traps at least once a month. Might be one of the reasons why his ex-wife asked for a divorce."
"The fact that he tormented an animal for the sickening thrill of it is enough of a reason any decent person wouldn't want to stay married to a guy like Codies" Jackie added. But they all ignored her.
"You really think that he's the serial killer based on just that one charge?" PJ questioned.
"He's all we got so far" he answered. And at this point, it was better to question the wrong guy than risk the chance of him murdering someone while they were still discussing if he really was the unsub.
"I agree" Lucas added. "Plus, it's getting dark out. If the unsub favors darkness, then he'll likely kill again soon."
Theo nodded. Robert Codies did have a history of violence and hunting knowledge. He fits the profile better than anyone. It was better to get to him as soon as possible.
"Best we don't take our chances" he told his team. "Shepherd, Archer, you two come with me to Codies' house. Baker, White, see if Sheriff May had anyone else that she suspected and relook at her previous suspects. If there is anything about this unsub that was missed, you two are sure to find it. Logan, stand by for now."
"Oh, no worries" Dexter told him sarcastically. "Let the tech boy just sit here in the lab and wait for further instructions." He then ended the video call without another word.
"I take it that Poindexter's mad at one of you" Jackie added.
"Save all of your sarcasm for the car ride" Lucas told her as he stood up. "Lets see what Codies has to tell us when we give him a surprised visit."
Theo nodded. There was no time to lose. If Robert Codies was their unsub, they needed to get to him ASAP. So the three of them grabbed their coats and badges and were off.
It was sunset when he came home. I'd been waiting patiently for my latest prey to arrive. Just as that bitch from a few nights before, he would think that he was safe at his own home. Wait until he meets me.
I waited a few extra moments for precaution, then went up to his porch. His two hunting dogs laid chained on each side of the deck. I petted the one fox hound on her head, she was a good girl. Then, I knocked at the front door.
My target answered and saw that it was me. "Hey, what are you doing here?"
I asked him if I could speak to him inside. It was about a certain subject that he may want to know about.
"Sure" he told me. "Come right in."
He foolishly allowed me in and closed the door behind me. He offered me a seat on his couch while he sat across from me in his recliner. We both sat as we began to chat.
"So, she wants to be sure that I paid her fully?" he asked.
I explained to him that my boss just wanted to double check that he paid her for last month. But that he was one of her most vital customers so she didn't doubt that he did pay for his time with us.
"Nice to hear that she thinks of me like that" he said as he took a sip of beer. "Been nothing but a loyal customer for you fokes for years. Actually, got my receipt from last month if you really want proof."
I asked if I could see it. He nods and gets up. While he did, I took a look around. His hunting arrows and rifle were right by the fireplace. I got up to examine them. How many lives did they each take over the years? Well, tonight would be the very last kill they ever make.
As my target was coming back in, he asked me. "Hey, have you heard of the sheriff allowing some out of town feds come here. Wanted some FBI fellas to see if they know whose been killing people around here. Not sure what she was thinking letting some out of town city fokes in our..."
When he came back in, I quickly stabbed him with one of his arrows in his chest. He fell backwards onto his recliner.
"What the hell?" he tried to yell out. But I didn't allow him to say anything more before taping his mouth shut. When he angrily tried to stand, I took out my bat and swung it at him several times, causing him to fall to the floor. Blood was oozing out of his chest wound quickly. Time to end his suffering. I then used his own hunting knife to stab him as hard as I could. I ripped his stomach opened, which caused some of his guts to fall out. After a few long bloody moments, the last thing he did was whine in agony before he took his final breath. His rotten carcass laid on the floor as blood continued to pour out of it. My work was done.
As I walked out the back door, I couldn't help but think about what he said about those FBI agents being here on my territory. They were sure to make things difficult for me. But at least they weren't quick enough to save Robert Codies.
I warned you that this was gonna be gory. Don't worry, this is as bloody as it gets. I promise.
P.S. Considering that I made my point in this chapter, I'll just give y'all a suggestion. Have any of you read the graphic novel or seen the film WolfWalkers? It's a pretty good story. Worth checking out for sure.