Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds and I'm learning to deal with that fact.

So yeah, another update. My internet is being kind of slow so I can't work all that fast on my school work (online schooling) and on top of that, it's been deemed I'm to stay in bed and wear warm clothes despite the fact I feel fine. Oh well. More witting time. :)

Currently Without A Title: A Criminal Minds Fic

Chapter Nine: Devil Knocking On My Door

The shrill ring of a cellphone sent Esmee cursing up a blue streak as she rolled over and grabbed the offending device that was emitting such a God awful noise. That was the last time she set her ring tone to 'limelight.'

"What," she barked into the phone having not even bothered to check the caller's i.d. If they had the nerve to call her at- she checked- 2 am, then they could deal with the wrath of Essie Brooks who was notorious for ripping people's heads off if they interrupted her sleeping hours.

"Esmee, it's Aaron." The tone in his voice sent Essie slamming to the back of Esmee's mind as the real woman came forward.

"Aaron, what's wrong?" she asked as she sat up and flipped on her bedside lamp. He had her undivided attention.

"The case we're working on in Louisiana," he began, "the victims are linked to you." Any hazy sleep that may have been lingering now vanished entirely at that declaration.

"They're names?" she asked.

"I can't give you that information over the phone, but they all took classes taught by you at Perry Shaw Community College." Esmee's mind flashed back to that school, one of the first she had taught at. Already she began to compose a list of the students who had attended.

"I'll be there by sunrise," she stated, jumping out of bed and slipping into a pair of flats.

"One of my team will be there to meet you," Hotch said before the connection went dead. Esmee quickly hit speed dial seven and waited for the person at the other end to pick up.

"Marcus."

"Marcus," she rushed into the phone, "I need the plane up and ready to go in half an hour. No later."

"Sure thing Starshine. I took it for a midnight joy ride. I'll see you at the hangar in thirty minutes." Esmee snapped the phone shut and tossed it into her messenger bag. She hurriedly opened her closet and grabbed her already packed go bag and tossed it onto the bed. Tossing in an outfit to change into on the plane, she zipped the bag shut, did a double check around the room to make sure she had everything she needed, and hurried from her house and into the night.

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If there was another word for torturous, then the plane ride would be described as that. The duration of the flight had been spent mulling over possible victims and possible suspects. Along with tapping her foot impatiently and catching a few minutes of sleep splayed out haphazardly. Now, she was merely waiting for Marcus to open the hatch and set the stairs down so she could get off the plane and get to Hotch.

"I release you," Marcus said playfully and Esmee bolted up and grabbed her bags before dashing off the plane. Parked twenty five feet away was a black vehicle with tinted out windows. Standing patiently by the driver's door was Dr. Spencer Reid.

"Dr. Reid," Esmee said politely as Reid took her go back and set it in the back of the car before opening her door for her. He was quick to leave the airport and drive towards the station. Or at least what Esmee assumed was the station.

"I thought you weren't a fan of driving," she stated when the silence became too much, "or at least I think that's what Aaron said." Reid kept his eyes firmly on the road ahead while he replied.

"Everyone was busy and I thought a familiar face might be appreciated, so I volunteered." His spoke softly, his interesting voice catching Esmee's attention and she smiled.

"Well thank you," she said before the car came to a stop before a police station that was bustling with activity. Esmee and Reid exited the car silmuntaneously, Esmee impatient and not wanting to waste another minute of time she knew to be precious.

"Aaron!" she called as she stepped into the midst of the melee, making her way over to Hotch. He met her halfway and grabbed her arm, leading her into the quiet sanctuary where the team was gathered. Esmee noticed Reid enter and take a seat out of the corner of her eye until she was forced into the spotlight.

"Six girls have been raped, beaten, and shot in the head," Emily spoke up.

"A seventh girl was abducted four and a half hours ago," Rossi stated, "and all of them took classes taught by you."

"Am I suspect?" Esmee dared, looking to Hotch for the answer. He shook his head and gestured to the board.

"No, but you are the only link between them. Do you know of anyone who would want to harm some of your students?"

"I'd say someone I gave a bad grade to, but now is hardly the time for a joke," she replied as she stepped closer to the whiteboard and examined the photos.

"Kelly, Madison, and Joanne-" she began.

"Were aspiring models," finished Derek. Esmee racked her brain for information about the seven photos before her and try to make anymore connections aside from the fact they all took classes she taught.

"Can you remember anything about the victims," Hotch prompted, "anyone who acted violently towards them? Our UNSUB is a confident male, mid-thirties, who has behavioral problems. He's highly violent and likes to cause extreme pain to his victims, but gives them a quick death. Is there anyone-"

"Kelly and Abby knew each other," Esmee stated softly, "I think they were cousins. Joanne and Madison had moved from South Carolina together and were living with Tanya when I met them all."

"What about Lee and Simone, did they know anyone in your classes?" suggested Emily. Esmee shook her head.

"Lee was quiet. She was part of the group the girls formed, but-"

"Group?" Rossi questioned and Esmee turned to face him.

"I taught my classes back to back," she stated, "the school didn't feel the need to change the time since it was the students who suggested and excepted the time change. In between classes, your victims would get together and catch up before the next session began."

"Was there a particular reason for the time change?" inquired Reid and Esmee shrugged, turning her eyes back to the board.

"There was construction on the school," she recalled, "and one of the students suggested an outdoor location since it was so loud. We changed the time so we'd be out of there before the sprinkler system came on."

"And the girls would meet in between your sessions?"

"Yeah. We met at a park, so they'd watch the boys play football or hang out around one of the picnic tables."

"Rosenthal Park?" JJ suddenly piped up and Esmee turned to her.

"Yeah, why-"

"That's where all the bodies are dumped, before the sprinklers come on." Esmee turned back to the photos and all the agents shared a look as she continued to observe the grotesque looking bodies.

"At night?" she asked.

"Um," there was a shuffling of papers, "yes, the bodies are dumped at night."

"That's not right," Esmee said and turned around to face the agents, "Rosenthal is a privately owned park."

"Yeah," Derek said, "it's owned by Samuel Bourne."

"Who never turns the sprinklers on at night because he's a terribly light sleeper and can't stand the sound of the sprinklers," Esmee stated, "he told me himself when I asked when the sprinklers went on so my class wouldn't get drench. He runs the water from 5-6 am and from 7-8 pm. 8:30 on the dot, he's asleep."

"Then how are the victims found completely soaked by a sprinkler if they're dumped sometime in the middle of the night?" wondered Rossi aloud.

"You said mid-thirties with some issues right?" Esmee asked and Hotch nodded. "It may not lead to anything, but Sam has a son named Matthew. He'd be about 34 now. Real handsome, likable fellow who played football with the guys at the park."

"Any connection to your students?" Hotch asked and Esmee nodded.

"He tried to ask Kelly out one time, but she said no because he was too old for her. The rest of the group taunted him and laughed in his face. Except for Lee and Simone."

"Where were they?" asked Emily.

"Lee was part of the group," Esmee stated, "but she was the quiet girl who just went with the flow. I remember the day they turned him down, Simone was reading a book by herself. She walked over to Matthew ands said something, I don't remember, and he yelled at her. Called her a bitch and a pathetic piece of shit. I took Simone home that day."

"Bourne you say?" Reid asked, opening a file and reading.

"Yeah," Esmee clarified, "and since the controls for the sprinkler system is inside the Bourne house, Matthew would have access to it."

"But if the dad is such a light sleeper," JJ brought up, "why wouldn't he here the sprinklers running?" Reid had the answer for that.

"Maybe because Samuel Bourne has been using a hearing aid for the past six months."

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an: once again I'll state the fact I have no clue what I'm talking about. I don't know the technical jargon and yada yada yada. In all honesty, it sounds so much better when I'm not writing this stuff down. But yeah. Bare with me.

Cheers.

Changer.