Never Together Nor Apart

[Chapter 67]

Hotch's POV:

"I thought that Antonia had written the initials CH in my hand. What she actually wrote was C plus plus, which is a programming language that uses hexadecimal code, or base 16. Now, that means that the unsub is most likely a programmer or at least someone who works with computers. Anyway, using an ASCII chart, you can translate between hexadecimal code and character equivalents, but the interesting thing is the entire letter isn't the message. The actual message is hidden in a single sentence that's indicated by the number underlined in the date," Reid rambles.

"So the fourth sentence," JJ plays into his presentation.

"Exactly, so the letter is saying, when I think that proof alone will never beat faulty logic, I bleed twice. Now if you count the letter in each word, you get a hexadecimal code which can then be translated into characters," he gives a proud smile.

"Kid, just tell us what it says," Dave pleads.

"Atone full moon," Reid complies.

"Atone on the full moon?" Morgan shadows.

"The full moon is tonight," I remind.

"At exactly 10:36 pm, which means we have less than five hours," Reid warns.

"The unsub's gonna kill those kids," Kate whispers.

"We have no idea where he is," JJ seethes.

"Antonia does. We have to give her what she wants," I sigh.

*time skip*

We prepare Antonia for the trip, making sure she won't have any chance at escape as we escort her to the jet.

"So is this the private jet for all inmates or just me?" She questions after ten minutes.

"Well, you're not special, if that's what you're asking," I overhear Morgan.

"I don't want you to think that I'm ungrateful for this prison transfer, so I'm gonna share something with you. The man you're looking for is trying to duplicate the circumstances of the two boys I crossed paths with," Antonia gives.

"Yeah, we figured that out already. You told us you'd give us his location if we transferred you," Kate presses.

"I don't know exactly where he is at the moment," she glares.

Morgan stands and makes his way towards me.

"Other than mentioning the bluegrass hills, did she talk about any other connection to Kentucky? She told JJ she grew up on a farm. She said she wants to go home, but somehow she doesn't strike me as the sentimental type. Why the transfer?" Morgan questions.

"What if that's where the unsub is? She wants to witness the murders," I realize, making sure to keep my voice quiet.

*time skip*

"What if the unsub is someone she knew back when she was a social worker or maybe even her childhood?" JJ asked over the phone.

"But the letters were sent to the unsub in Roanoke. The package with the clothes came from Roanoke," Garcia vocalizes.

"Well it's possible that he moved to Western Virginia to be close to her. Look into all of her past relationships, professional and personal," I whisper.

"Copy that," Garcia squeaks.

Seconds later, the call ends.

"You single, Agent Callahan?" Antonia deadpans.

"Why do you want to know?" She answers with a question.

"Just wondering if there was anybody you shared everything with. I think you're like me. Nobody really knows us..." when Kate doesn't answer, she fills the silence, "he's bringing the children to Kentucky, right outside Lexington," she taunts.