[Criminal Minds] years before love

"Hi." Hotch collected his emotions and stood opposite "Sullivan" again.

But this time, the other party just silently looked up at him.

"I went to your house." Hotch asked while flipping through the documents in his hand, "Aren't you going to say something?"

"I really don't know anything."

Hotch shook his head and pushed the photo in his hand, "I think, at least you know who he is."

"Sullivan" just glanced at it, and immediately widened his eyes, almost throwing himself on the table.

Hotch didn't stop him, and then threw another document over, "Abbott Sullivan, ace sniper, disappeared in the war."

"He... he's not dead?!" The person across the table almost trembled and shouted.

Hotch's voice was flat, "So, should I call you Sullivan, or should I call you Smith?"

"Sullivan" or Smith finally looked up, and burst into tears.

"We have investigated, and it seems that this Sullivan is not as easy to bully as in your story. At least you still have many comrades in arms who remember his domineering appearance and kindly call him a devil." Hotch withdrew the information, waiting for him to speak , "And you don't seem to be his friend either."

And Smith's face contorted when he heard these words, showing a bit of fear.

"I don't quite understand why you should live by his name."

"I didn't know he was still alive." Smith covered his face, "Is he really back?"

"Yes. He's back, but he's dead." Hotch kindly pushed the photo of the scene of Sullivan's death towards him. "I guess, you still recognize this is your house?"

"Abbott is a... lunatic." Smith wiped away tears, "He said he was born to kill with a gun. He is a nightmare for many people, both of the enemy and his own. But he really saved me, saved me. than many of us.”

Hotch was noncommittal, motioning for him to continue.

"He...his mother's mind is not very good. When we came back, she didn't recognize people very much." Smith lowered his head, staring at his fingers, "Call anyone who grabs him as a son. I... am soft-hearted for a while."

"Sullivan's mother has been dead for many years. That's no reason for you to keep living as him."

"Maybe, I wish I could be like him." Smith forced a smile.

"Like a madman?"

"Strong, reliable in times of real danger." Smith bit his lips, "After she died... I had already met my current wife at that time, and I didn't know how to explain all this to her... I was afraid that I would say Come out, everything is gone. It seems that I still can't do it."

"Not being a serial killer is nothing to be sorry about." Hotch patted him on the shoulder. "You can go."

Smith didn't get up immediately, but cried again while pinching the photo he had put down.

Hotch didn't care about him any more, turned and walked out.

Gideon had packed up and was waiting for him at the coffee shop.

"There doesn't appear to be anything to investigate further?"

"For now." Hotch took the coffee he handed over, a little distracted.

"Need me to leave a message for D□□id for you?"

"No. He doesn't need my permission to do anything."

"Aaron...be honest." Gideon shook his head. "If you want more security, profiling is not the best way. What do you want him to do, I suggest you just say it."

Hotch glanced at him, but said nothing.

Gideon looked out the window, "Actually you know where he went."

Hotch finally sighed and put down his glass, "I know."

"I first met D□□id... many years ago, smart, curious, warm, passionate, I could hardly see the shadow of the war on him."

Hotch finally got his attention, staring at him and waiting for him to finish.

But Gideon smiled instead, "Look, you'll be curious about his past, just as he'll be curious about you. Don't mind it too much, trust me, whatever happened won't affect his judgment of you."

Hotch finally shook his head with a wry smile, "Jason, I'm not curious, I'm just...jealous."