I do not own Criminal Minds or its characters, including Theo. I do own Jackie, Lucas, Jo, PJ, and Dexter.
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!
If there was one thing that Jackie loved about being part of the BAU Second Division, it was the fact that they had their own private jet. The very moment she was told that they had a great, big jet all to themselves, she had been the first of the team to check it out. The seats were comfy, snacks and drinks were available anytime they needed them and they even had screens that they can do video calls on. She felt like a celebrity every time she was there. Oh, if only there was a soft-served ice cream maker that included toppings and cones. If they had one of those, she wouldn't want to ever leave this place.
Course, they didn't take a single moment to sit back, relax and enjoy their private flight. Most of the time spent on the flight was reviewing the data they had so far with the current case. The screens were used to do video chats with Dexter, since he was left behind. Well, guess she would have to wait till the case was finished to take in all of their luxuries.
"So, what do we know about this unsub so far?" Theo asked as they looked over every sheet they had about this case.
"We know that this guy is a serial killer" Jackie teased them with her legs crossed. What could she say? Sarcasm was one of her three traits. Sarcasm, movies and animals. Those were what she was all about.
Jo shook her head with a frustrated groan. "He means info like his target choice. Most serial kills prefer certain types of targets."
"Looks like this guy is random" Lucas added as the bookworm studied his papers carefully. "So far, all of his victims are different from one another. Different genders, race and ages. The only similarity they all share is that they were all residents of Gracetown."
Theo looked over some papers. "Most unsubs do their work in specific locations. All of the places where his victims were found are within the town."
"Are we even sure that this is a male unsub?" Jackie asked, attempting to sound more sophisticated.
She was all too sure of what female unsubs were capable of from all of those past case documents Professor Reid had given her a few weeks ago. She still couldn't believe that she had managed to finish looking over them all. Course, she did have the help of PJ and Theo to review them with her. If there was anything those past cases taught her, it was that females were just as capable of doing dirty deeds as males. Often times, women were twice are good and twice as hard to find than the men were. Nothing that shocked her.
"Well, think about it" Jo told them. "Female serial killers murder for gain or revenge and they have preferred targets. I don't see any clear connection with all of these victims."
"There's also the over kill in most of these victims" Theo added. "Females aren't usually messy with their kills. Some even clean up after they strike. So, we have to assume that this is a male unsub."
That was when Dexter buzzed in. "No need to fear. Dex is here."
Jackie glared at him. He certainly had an act for showing up unexpectedly. "Don't even try to change your nickname, Poindexter."
She had been treating Dexter like an annoying younger brother ever since college. It was actually an enjoyment, considering she was not so close to her own family. She dearly missed her younger brother James, who she hadn't seen in a very long time. She sure did miss that little scamp. But, at least she had Dexter to tease.
"At least I got a more clever nickname than you, Jacks" Dexter told her.
"I'm not bothered with it at all" she told him proudly. During their previous case, the team gave her a new nickname. Jacks. Basically short for Jackie. She actually liked it. Brought out the tough side in her.
"Be aware that we'll have to be called by our last names while in the field" Theo informed them. Must he be such a downer? "What did you find out about our most recent victims, Logan?"
Dexter forwarded the photos of the two most recent victims to them. "Cindy Hilled was thirty-five and married. She didn't seem to have any work placement."
Jackie read over Cindy's online comments. Most of them showed her as a doting house wife who bragged about herself. "Her twitter posts said that her and her husband planned on trying to have a baby. You think the unsub knew about it?"
"Wouldn't surprise me. If she was posting about starting a family online, then word would get out quickly about it. Especially if it involves someone who was a long time resident of Gracetown like Cindy was."
"What about Gregg Marsh?" Theo asked.
Dexter typed away. "He was the owner of a trap and bait shop. Been divorced for three years and had two children."
That was when Jackie got a thought going. "Most serial killers base their work on their childhoods. Maybe this unsub has a thing with parents."
"He could have seen them both as unworthy of being parents" Jo added. "That may be why he killed Cindy before she could get pregnant." Jackie couldn't help but feel a little proud that she was able to point out detailed information.
"But, remember" Lucas added. "That would mean that his other victims had been parents. And it doesn't seem like that's the case." And there he was. The bookworm raining on her parade.
"Still, Jackie has a point" Theo informed them. She kept on her proud grin.
"And lets not forget one key thing" PJ pointed out. "We're not 100% certain that this is the same guy as the previous murders. For all we know, this could be a copy cat."
"Copycat or not, he's going down" Jackie told them confidentiality. They all looked at her in annoyance. "What?"
"Lets just focus on gathering as much information as we can before we attempt any heroic acts" Jo said. Geez, what was she so concerned about? It wasn't like Jackie planned on rushing in and tackling the first suspicious person she saw. She would have made sure it was the right bad guy before giving them the takedown.
"She's right" Theo added. "We'll know more once we land. Jo, you and I will head to the sheriff's office. Jackie and Lucas, you two investigate the latest crime scene. See if you can find anything that the cops missed. PJ, I guess you can head over to the autopsy and see if you can find anything on either of the victims."
"Why?" PJ questioned with his arms crossed. "Cause you don't think I can handle being in the field?"
"No, of course not. Because you're the only one here who can examine a body and find clues that the other examiners didn't see."
None of them argued with him about that fact. If anyone could see what was out of place with a body, it was PJ. After all, he did discover something that was out of order with the body of a victim of their first case, which helped them figure out that it was the work of a serial killer. PJ's duty as medical examiner was vital to them, even though she still couldn't understand how he handled cutting open bodies all the time. At least she wouldn't have to be doing the messy work on this case.
No, she was hands down in the field. Even Theo knew that she was better use relooking the latest scene of the crime. Her spying eyes were sure to find something out of the ordinary. All she had to do was put up with Lucas with a crime scene.
What would you do if you were allowed to fly in a private jet?
What are you theories about this unsub? Can you figure out the pattern to their crime?
P.S. I want to take this moment to cheer for Hogs For Hope. A brave group of people who drove all the way from Austin, Texas to Daniel, Wyoming to rally together to ask for stronger wildlife protection laws. Thank you for standing up against injustice and being a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. And for anyone in Daniel, Wyoming who is a true animal lover, please stand with them. These people who are rallying mean no one any harm. They only wish to ensure peace between people and wildlife and a better world for us all. As for anyone who taunts or mocks someone who speaks on behalf of that poor wolf cub who had been needlessly abused, how can you call yourself human? If you support the act of tormenting living creatures just for your own self-enjoyment, then you are nothing but a coward, a bully and a monster. Do you really think that the world would see you as anything but minions obeying their wicked master? Why cheer for a man so cold hearted that he viciously attacked a defenseless puppy and tortured her in a bar? If you really have a soul, stop aiding the man who has done truly evil acts. Instead, join the fight to prevent demons such as him from harming another innocent life. You must not allow fear of what would happen if you try to prevent you from doing what is right. If you don't try to fight for this cause at all, the bad guys will gain from it. All it takes is one person's selfless actions to begin a change that can better our future. So don't think that you don't matter. Everyone who fights to protect those who have no voice of their own matters.