[Criminal Minds] The Waiting Behind

Back to a few hours ago, Steve and Michelle walked slowly on the way back. Michelle's mood was unprecedentedly relaxed, and sure enough, watching a comedy can be a magic weapon to relieve depression. She glanced at Steve, who was also strolling comfortably beside her, and wondered if he saw her recent depression and brought him here on purpose.Because Steve is also a caring and considerate man!

Michelle is in a great mood, smiling with crooked eyebrows, don't think about complicated things like feelings at this time, get rid of all distracting thoughts, and just enjoy this moment quietly.Michelle, who was enjoying this moment, suddenly heard a burst of noise not far away, which seemed to be the roar of fire trucks and police cars.He stopped, and at this time he had already reached the downstairs of Michelle's apartment.

This is an apartment building located in a neighborhood on the street, recommended by Reid, and it is said that the safety factor is still very high.

"Steve, did you hear anything? There seems to be a fire somewhere..."

Unexpectedly, Steve didn't answer Michelle's question, and seemed to think of something. His face tightened, and even the gentle smile that often hung on his face disappeared, but he said with a serious face: "Michelle, you should pay attention to it these days. Be safe, don’t go to secluded places alone. At least avoid going to public places with a lot of traffic, such as today’s movie theaters, churches, concert halls, etc. Go home directly after work, okay?”

Michelle looked at the other person's different expression, and asked tentatively, "Did something happen?"

Steve hesitated for a few seconds, but in the end he couldn't resist the worried look in the girl's eyes, and vaguely revealed a few words, "Recently, there have been several incidents in the capital, and the police department has taken them seriously... No criminals have been caught yet, so I can't say much and It's related to the case, although I'm not the person involved, I just heard it from my colleagues... But I still hope you can pay more attention to it yourself."

Although Steve was vague, Michelle knew that this was the limit of what he could do.I remember that there was an episode in the plot where Haley would take Jack to a shopping mall where Hotch and the others were handling the case. Due to the regulations, Hotch could not tell Haley. Although he finally called to inquire, Hotch struggled for a long time at that time.It can be seen that the secrecy regulations in the United States are very strict. Michelle was grateful that Steve was able to say so much about herself, it was his heart.

"Well, I know, don't worry." He solemnly promised.

A gentle look climbed onto Steve's face again, this is his girl.When he thought she would ask the reason, she was considerate and said nothing, just reassuring him that she would ensure his safety.Sure enough, she is smart and considerate, such a girl I really don't want to let go...

In the morning, after hours of researching the case file, Hotch and Rossi took a short break in the office and drove to the place where the fire had just been reported. Hotch walked through the hustle and bustle of the crowd, and after only a few hours, he had already attracted the attention of many media, and it really needed mediation from JJ and the media.

"Sorry, step aside. We're the FBI."

While revealing his identity, Rossi asked the crowd to make way for him, but unexpectedly, the microphones and cameras of all the news media turned to him:

"Mr. Detective, may I ask why this arson incident attracted the FBI's attention?"

"Is this man-made arson incident related to some terrorist attack?"

"There have been several malicious arson incidents in Washington recently. Are these cases related? Are they committed by the same person?"

"Mr. Detective?"

……

An endless stream of questions came to Rossi.

Rossi was a little helpless to prevent the reporters from approaching every corner, while officially answering: "We are still investigating the specifics, so it is inconvenient to disclose. Please cooperate with the FBI and the police, thank you!" But these It is absolutely impossible to satisfy these reporters who are tempted to be able to make headlines.

Rossi looked at the black crowd surrounding him, and helplessly cursed in his heart, Hotch, I made such a big sacrifice, you should hurry up.

Hotch took advantage of the gap when everyone was attracted by Rossi, quickly and nimbly got through the yellow cordon surrounding the scene, and observed the scene carefully.This is a movie theater that has been in business for several years. Because it is close to the largest shopping mall in the nearby blocks and has a lot of traffic, the business has always been booming.But what appeared in front of Hotch now was a scene of decadent ruins.The modernly furnished facilities turned into pitch-black garbage, lying there lonely, with scattered wires and the remains of walls everywhere.

Turning around, Hotch said to the inspector who was following behind him, "Please show me where the fire started."

Going around to the back door of the movie theater, the sheriff walked into the small passage first. "Like many victims of a fire, most of them were not burned to death, but suffocated to death due to excessive smoke inhalation. There were even a few people who were trampled." After a pause, the police chief showed a look Grieving look: "My brother Beck and his wife Kenny."

"I'm deeply sorry for what happened to your brother and his wife." Hotch opened his mouth, and there was nothing more painful than this incident for the inspector in this precinct. "My condolences."

"I know." The detective's sad voice was calm, "We must personally catch this arsonist and avenge them."

Hotch lowered his eyes and didn't say much.At this time, any language is pale and powerless.After giving the inspector some time to calm down, Hotch slowly asked for details, "The place here is small, with little oxygen, and the fire will start slowly. If the fire here slowly burns to the auditorium, the crowd should have already run out Yes, it should not be the only fire point."

"Yes." The inspector gave an affirmative answer, took Hotch through the passage to inquire, pointed to a place and said: "This is it. From here, a lot of gasoline was poured around, as quickly as a haystack on fire It started to burn, and soon the fire spread everywhere."

"Didn't the firefighters arrive in time?" Hotch looked around and found that there was no trace of fire fighting, which was a little strange.

"Hmph." The detective snorted unexpectedly, "It seems that the murderer knew that the fire brigade would arrive in time. This damn bastard turned off the main water valve."

It seems that the murderer did not commit an impulsive crime. He had made very careful plans and arrangements in advance, and was very familiar with the geographical environment here.If it is not a local person or has stepped on the spot beforehand, it is very likely that after the incident, they will still stay in place to check their "results". Hotch silently made a preliminary profile in his heart, and planned to go back and meet with other people to see if there were any other gains.

On the other side, various bouquets of flowers are placed on the ground, hidden among them are many standing portrait photos.In the photos, there are men and women, old and young, cheerful or shy, but they all have brilliant smiles.It seems to be very happy.

It's a pity that these people are gone. Man and Emily watched these unfortunate people quietly for a while, prayed silently for them, and then left one after another.

"I've seen this kind of thing too much. Sometimes I really don't understand why those killers do such things? It's unimaginable how sad the families of those people who died will be. Sometimes I even doubt The things we do..."

"Hey, Prentiss. You are not them, of course you can't understand. Although we can't predict such a person in advance, at least we can catch him as soon as possible after he commits a crime. This is what we are doing now, isn't it?" Man patted Emily's shoulder, signaling her to stop thinking about it.

Man looked at the traces of the scene, trying to find some obvious clues that could simulate the scene at that time.

"Prentiss, I remember the document said that the murderer here also closed another exit that is not commonly used, right?"

"Yes." Emily saw that Man seemed to have found something, and walked over.

"Look here." There was a handprint on the wall that was gradually sliding down.

"It seems that the murderer is now lighting a fire here, letting it burn slowly and producing smoke. Then he left and set a fire in the hall. The rapidly burning fire forced people here."

"At this time, the small fire that produced the smoke gradually became more and more prosperous," Emily also thought of this scene, "and it happened to be locked here by chains, and finally the thick smoke killed people."

"Yes, our murderer knows this very clearly. He also understands that even if the fire brigade arrives in time, but turning off the main water valve will eventually make these people..." Man compared the handprints on the wall with his hand, and a group of people appeared in front of him. The crowd who are eager to survive and call out for help can only wait for the scene of death slowly in despair. "He enjoyed all the killing, and maybe he hid in a corner to enjoy this drama that he started and ended with him."

Man squinted at the crowd outside, as if he could see the murderer in this way—

"It's just that the final curtain of this drama is to be closed by us."

"Puchi Puchi—" the kettle made a sharp sound.The water boiled.

Michelle ran over from the bedroom, ready to cook a big meal for herself to reward her depression of not being able to go out.After listening to Steve, she naturally chose to stay at home.After all, curiosity killed the cat.And the last few times she has felt that she has the aura to attract a perverted killer, so it's better to hide.Just when Michelle was thinking optimistically, a familiar voice came from the turned on TV.

Michelle followed the prestige, but found that the camera showed Agent Rossi embarrassingly dodging the cameras and trying to get out of the encirclement.Oops, that was hilarious.It's a pity that Rossi has a very imposing face, otherwise, I will definitely laugh at him next time I meet him. Michelle held the freshly brewed green tea and thought happily.

Huh?

Not far away from the shaking camera, she seemed to see a familiar man in a black suit calmly pulling up the cordon and walking towards the SUV parked on the side of the street.

Hotch?

Looking at the situation, Uncle Rossi is actually a shield to ensure that Hotch can enter the scene without interference, right?Shaking her head cutely, Michelle looked at the black low-key SUV, as if she saw the serious man inside who was always frowning and the corners of his mouth were drawn into a line.

The warm sunlight shone into the room, dancing playfully on the girl's hair.The girl didn't realize it, and she didn't know that the corner of her mouth subconsciously evoked a longing arc.

Hotch... bowed her head and stroked her heart, Michelle wondered if she was really hopeless.Although it is not as passionate as before, as long as I say this name silently, I can't help but feel heart-warming.