Alex felt like she was trapped in one of the nightmares that had chased her for so long. How could Jeff be dead? Questions assailed her mind like frightened birds trying to find a place to land. Nothing seemed to make sense anymore.
Monty followed Alex and Kaely back to their room. “These rooms are really small,” he said. “I like Logan, but that could change by the time this is over.”
“They’re going to be even tighter for the four of us to work in,” Alex said. “I hope Logan finds us another place soon.” Alex took a seat on her bed while Kaely and Monty sat down at the table.
“I . . . I can’t believe Jeff’s dead,” Monty said. “Two people I care about gone in just a matter of days. It’s . . . it’s hard to take in.” He looked away from them.
“I know,” Alex said. “I’m so sorry, Monty. We’re going to catch this creep. He’s not perfect. He’s made mistakes. We just need to figure out what they are.” She paused for a moment and then said, “Monty, are you sure you want to work this case?” She knew the answer even before he said anything. He felt the same way she would if the situation were reversed.
“I have to be involved,” he said simply. “I just have to. It . . . it helps to keep my mind off my grandmother. Really.”
When someone knocked on the door, Alex called, “Come in.”
The door swung open. Bethany, Todd, Robin, and Nathan all stood there. They looked as shocked as Alex felt.
“We’d like to help,” Todd said, his voice unsteady. “We know too many people working a profile can cause chaos, but it doesn’t make any sense for us to just sit around and do nothing.”
“Thanks,” Monty said. “I agree. Since he’s acting chief now, why don’t you talk to Logan? I’m certain we could use your help.”
“We’ll bring it up and see what he says,” Bethany said. She looked down for a moment. When she raised her head, she had tears in her eyes. “This guy has to be brought to justice. He killed Jeff.”
“We understand completely,” Alex said. “Let us know after you talk to Logan. We’d be grateful to have you on board.”
“Okay,” Todd said. “See you all later.”
After Nathan pulled the door shut, Monty said, “I totally get it. I’d feel the same way if I was in their shoes.”
“Let’s get our notes together,” Kaely said, “so we’re ready to work when Logan gets back.” She took a deep breath before saying, “Look, I just came on, so I didn’t know Jeff well, but I know you two are really hurting. I just want you to know I’m committed to doing everything possible to help find this UNSUB.”
Alex could see Kaely had also been moved by Jeff’s death. “Thanks. We appreciate that,” she said. “I haven’t been at the BAU for long either, but Jeff had become important to me. Logan and Monty worked with him for several years.” She got up and grabbed her notebook while Kaely found the file they’d been working with.
“This is personal,” Monty said. “I want this guy.”
“I do too,” Alex said. “For Jeff. And for your grandmother.”
“And for John Davis and Evan Bayne,” Kaely added. She frowned. “We could use more information from Australia. Hope that’s coming soon.”
“I’m sure the authorities will work with us,” Alex said. “There’s no reason for them to hold back. They have some great behavioral analysts there too. They can even bring them in to help.”
They talked about the case until they heard a knock. Alex again called out, “Come in,” and Logan opened the door.
“We’ve been assigned a classroom,” he said.
“We’re ready,” Alex said. “Lead on.”
Alex looked at the sky as they walked down the glass-covered hallway. The dark clouds overhead looked like snow.
“This is it,” Logan said, opening a door. He led them into a room with a large table and eight chairs. Both a dry-erase board and a corkboard sat on portable easels for easy positioning. There was even a copier.
“This will work great,” Alex said.
“The rest of our unit stopped by Alex and Kaely’s room,” Monty said. “They want to help.”
“You’re the analysts assigned to this case,” Logan said, “but I’ll brief them later today. They can work on questionnaires for the police, review the victimology for common elements, and help the police develop investigative strategies.”
“Are you still going to work with us?” Monty asked. “I mean, now that you’re so important?”
His attempt to provide some humor actually helped a bit. Alex felt the tight muscles in her neck loosen.
“Yes, I’ll be working with you,” Logan said. “Things won’t really change. I guess someone has to act as unit chief, but trust me, the title is in name only. I’m not Jeff, and I could never replace him.”
The silence that followed his words was a testament to the truth of his statement. No one could ever take Jeff’s place.
“So Chief Gorman will brief us about Jeff’s . . .” Alex couldn’t finish. Jeff was dead, but no one wanted to say it out loud.
“Right. He’ll be here shortly to give us what he has. He’s not in charge of this latest . . . incident. The Georgetown police are. But they’re working with Gorman and feel it would be smoother for us to deal with him directly. I don’t think Terry wants to have anyone else coming here anyway. It all worked out okay.”
Logan leaned over and picked up the briefcase he’d carried into the room with him. He opened it and took out some files, which he then placed on the table. “Before we get started, I need to give you your new phones.” He took out a box and handed each person a phone, then explained the new procedures.
“So we’re to use them only to call each other?” Monty asked.
“Right. I know it’s difficult trying to handle funeral arrangements on a landline downstairs, but we need you to stay safe. You can call the funeral home if you have to, but they can’t call you back on this phone.” He frowned. “Do you have a date for the funeral yet?”
“Not yet. My grandmother will be cremated, and the funeral home will keep her remains for a while. I’m hoping my parents will change their minds and decide to attend. Then we’ll have a service.” He looked around at everyone. “I hope you’ll all come.”
“It would be an honor,” Logan said.
“We’ll all be there,” Alex added, trying to rein in her emotions.
After a few seconds of silence, Logan cleared his throat. Then bringing everyone back to the matter at hand, he said, “Just remember these phones are the safest way for us to be in touch. Check the contacts list. Everyone on this system is there, including our whole unit, Terry, and Gorman and his detectives. Even Reinhardt since he’s here. And don’t give your number to anyone else. I mean that, okay? Even if no one else can call your number directly, we don’t want to give our UNSUB a chance to make it look like one of us is calling you.”
Everyone let him know they understood, so he moved on. “Let’s start by going over our previous profile and asking ourselves if we need to change it.”
“Logan,” Kaely said, “I have to address the elephant in the room. We’ve discussed Reinhardt as a possible suspect, and now he’s here. Near us. I don’t think this is a good idea. I’ve said I don’t believe he’s a viable suspect because of his almost obsessive adherence to following the rules. I find it hard to believe he would break that strong personality trait to kill his coworkers. But he’s still a suspect.”
Logan nodded. “I agree. We’re keeping an eye on him. He’s alone in a room at the end of the hall.”
“He gets his own room?” Monty said.
“Hey, you had your chance,” Logan said with a smile. “Are you already tired of me?”
“Well, you do snore.”
“You should probably consider yourself lucky. I could put you in with Reinhardt.”
“No, thanks,” Monty said. “You’re fine.”
Logan laughed. Then he looked around at everyone. “Okay, let’s get to work.”
A knock on the door interrupted them. “It’s open,” Logan said.
Chief Gorman walked into the room with Cooper and Palmer. He had files and papers in his hands. “We have a more thorough report from Australia,” he said. “Terry asked me to bring it to you. We don’t have Agent Cole’s autopsy report yet, but I’m sure you realize the cause of death was drowning.”
He put the files on the table. “An envelope was delivered to the Georgetown police station today. This was inside.” He handed each one of them a copy of a page from a book.
“From Dark Minds?” Alex asked.
“Yes.”
The three police officers sat down, and Gorman read the highlighted sentences. “‘Bayne and I worked together on the Austin City Strangler case. We profiled the killer as someone who wore a uniform. Someone the victims trusted. Just like the so-called Raggedy Man in Des Moines. After the killer was captured, we found that he’d worn a police officer’s uniform when he stalked his prey.’” Gorman added, “A number four was written on the back of the page.”
Alex turned the words over in her mind before saying, “He can’t be referring to Bayne. He’s already dead. This has to be pointing to Kaely.”
“With the Raggedy Man mention? Seems like it to me,” Monty said.
“How does he intend to get to her here?” Logan asked, irritation evident in his tone.
“He might not have known she’d be here when he mailed this,” Gorman said. “My guess is he’s found out by now, though. You need to be especially careful.”
“If this guy can get to Kaely, he’s inside somewhere,” Logan replied. “And unless it is Reinhardt, that’s impossible.”
“I don’t know,” Kaely said, speaking for the first time since they’d read the letter. “We’ve wondered how the UNSUB knows so much about us.”
“Well, he doesn’t know everything,” Gorman said. “My guess is that the UNSUB believed Davis was armed, that he had his gun with him. That means he’s not infallible.”
“But how did he know Jeff was on his way to see his daughter last night?” Alex asked. “I find that concerning.”
“The UNSUB must have followed him,” Monty said.
“Maybe,” Alex said slowly. “But I agree with Kaely. He knows more than he should.”
“Are you saying you think the UNSUB is someone we know? Someone in the Bureau?” Monty asked, a look of surprise on his face.
“Not necessarily one of us,” Kaely said. “But someone close to us. Someone who knows where we’re going to be. Or maybe someone inside this case is giving him information.”
After using her technique earlier, Kaely said she thought the UNSUB could be at the academy. But Logan had been reluctant to believe anyone in law enforcement could be the killer or even help the man when Alex told him what Kaely said. She was reluctant to believe it too.
“Chief Gorman,” Logan said, “please don’t be offended by this question, but can’t these files be accessed by quite a few people in your department?”
“Yes, of course. But they can only read about the case. There’s nothing in there to indicate where you are. I’ve kept that private, per the request I received from Agent Cole. The only people who know besides me are Detectives Cooper and Palmer.” He nodded toward the two. “I trust them implicitly.”
“Are you certain no one could figure it out?” Monty asked.
Gorman hesitated long enough to make it clear he couldn’t give Monty the assurance he was looking for.
“If you’re not sure, that means everyone in your station is suspect,” Monty said.
Alex frowned. “Someone has to be working with our UNSUB. Someone who’s privy to information that should be private. It’s the only thing that makes sense.” She shook her head. “I just don’t think he’s the only one behind this.
“You mean maybe his helper could be the one who went to Texas to film Davis’s wife?” Kaely asked.
Alex nodded. “Exactly.”
There was a long silence before Logan spoke. “Chief, I need you to quietly investigate your officers and staff. Check their phone calls. Emails. Find out if any one of them could possibly be working with our UNSUB. If you need help, bring in people you trust. But whatever you do, don’t tell anyone else what you’re doing.”
Gorman’s face turned red, and he started to speak, but Logan held up his hand. “I’m absolutely not accusing your people. Believe me. We just need to be sure. I’m going to be checking out our agents and staff as well. If we have someone working against us, we need to find them immediately. We need to know if we have a traitor in our midst.”
The chief swallowed hard, but his color returned to normal. “All right. I can understand why you’re concerned, but I know my officers. I guarantee you we’re clean.” He stood. “I’ll give you some time to review your profile. I’ll use Cooper and Palmer here to help me quietly investigate, but this could take some time.”
Gorman left the room. Cooper followed him, but Julie Palmer held back.
“Look, I agree with the chief,” she said to Logan. “Our people are clean. But I understand why you have to look at everyone. I’m sorry he got so upset.” She shrugged. “If the people in your unit were accused of helping this awful man, you would probably react the same way.”
“You’re right,” Logan said. “I’m sorry the chief was offended, but we have a dangerous, clever killer who isn’t finished. I want him stopped. I can’t be worried about anyone’s feelings. I hope you understand that.”
“Of course I do. And the chief will come to that conclusion too, as soon as he calms down. He’s very protective of us. I think you’re doing an incredible job. I hate what’s happening, but I love watching you work.” She paused a moment before adding, “If anyone at the station is involved in this, we’ll find them.”
She was headed toward the door when Logan called out, “Thank you, Detective Palmer.”
When the door closed behind her, Logan sighed and said, “If any of you see anyone acting suspiciously, or even if someone makes you feel uncomfortable, come to me. If we do have a mole who’s helping the UNSUB, we’ve got to find them. If we don’t, the police might not be able to stop this guy. He’ll continue to be one step ahead of us, and more people could die.”