Criminal Minds - Kill My Mind

Chapter Four

The rest of the team had joined Morgan and Emily in JJ's office, at her house. The evidence bord was filled with photos and notes. There were a lot of photos of JJ on it, alongside photos of her family and friends.
"I think we can assume that JJ was being stalked," said Rossi.
"Will probably knew about the stalker as he kept telling us that he took her," said Reid.
Hotch nodded.
"Why didn't she tell us, we could've helped her," said Morgan.
Emily shook her head as she knew better than anyone what it was like.
"JJ wanted to protect us. So, she couldn't have told us, even though she knew that she could really use our help," said Emily.

Hotch's stomach turned as he realized something. What if it was no coincidence JJ was taken the same night, he confronted her about it. What if the unsub saw the two of them talking in his office and assumed that JJ had confided in him? The unsub might have seen that night as his last chance to get her.

"We must find out who has been stalking her," said Rossi.
"Hotch and I already tried to talk to Will, but he's not much of a help right now," said Reid.
Hotch nodded.
"What about Henry," said Morgan.
"The kid is five years old," said Emily.
"Long time memories start forming at the age of two. Besides traumatic events have a different effect on our brains. So, technically Henry should be able to help us," said Reid.
"Morgan and I will go talk to Henry, the rest of you can comb through the evidence JJ has already gathered on her stalker," said Hotch.

Rossi and Emily started on the evidence board, while Reid was on the line with Garcia, combing through JJ's computer.

The two agents were looking at the bord.
"These photos were all taken by the unsub," said Emily.
Rossi nodded.
"He was taunting her with it," said Rossi.
Emily pointed at one of the photos. It was a photo of her and JJ in the field.
"This photo was taken almost a month ago, he has been slowly tearing her apart for weeks," said Emily.
Rossi sighed.
"I can't believe we only started noticing something was going on about a week ago," said Rossi.
Emily nodded.
"JJ can pretend to be fine like no one else can," said Emily.
Rossi started taking the photos down.
"What are you doing?" said Emily in disbelieve.
"I'm putting them in chronological order. So, we can set up a timeline," said Rossi.

While the two agents were trying to place the photos into chronological order Garcia had hacked into JJ's computer.
"I'm in," said Garcia.
Reid could see the cursor move on the screen.
"See if JJ received any threatening emails," said Reid.
Garcia went through JJ's email, but there was nothing there.
"What about emails on her work computer," said Reid.
"Let me check," said Garcia.
The phone line went quiet for a little while.
"Nothing, I don't think the unsub send her anything," said Garcia.
"Thank you, Garcia," said Reid before hanging up the phone.

Reid stood up from behind the computer and made his way over to the other two agents.
"The unsub didn't send her any emails," said Reid.
"That's weird," said Rossi.
Reid shook his head.
"It makes sense. Our unsub sends things to her house, photos, and letters. He wanted JJ to know that he knew where she lived," said Reid.
Emily sighed.
"Emails just weren't threatening enough for him," said Emily.

Meanwhile Hotch and Morgan had taken Henry to Hotch's office, at the bureau.
"He buddy, do you know where we are," said Hotch.
Henry nodded.
"We're at mommy's work, in your office," said Henry while pointing to Hotch.
"Very good, do you know where your mother is now," said Morgan.
Henry shook his head.
"Do you want to try something for us," said Hotch.
Henry nodded and Morgan picked him up, sitting the little boy down next to him.
"I want you to close your eyes. I'm right here with you, okay," said Morgan as he grabbed Henry's hand.
"I want you to think about last night, what did you do right before bed," said Hotch.
"Daddy read me a story," said Henry.
"What story did he read to you," said Hotch.
"The Little Prince," said Henry.
Hotch nodded.
"You fell asleep, what woke you up," said Morgan.
Morgan could feel Henry squeeze his hand.
"A loud noise," said Henry.
Morgan turned to Hotch.
"Henry was asleep until Will was shot, meaning that JJ was probably the one held at gunpoint," said Morgan.
Hotch nodded.
"What did you see when you woke up," said Hotch.
"Daddy was on the floor," said Henry.
"Where was your mother," said Morgan.
"Mommy was standing by the door, and she told me to go back to bed," said Henry.
The two agents turned to each other again.
"The unsub just showed JJ that he wasn't afraid to shoot. Maybe JJ went with him voluntarily," said Morgan.
Hotch nodded.
"Did you go back to bed," said Hotch.
Henry shook his head.
"Daddy was hurt, and I wanted to help him," said Henry.
"So, you got out of bed," said Morgan.
Henry nodded.
"What did you see," said Morgan.
"Mommy fell and she was lying next to daddy," said Henry.
Henry squeezed Morgan's hand.
"Mommy told me to work the case with her," said Henry.

Hotch took a deep breath, as he knew better than anyone how JJ must have felt in that moment. He was the one that urged her to teach this to her son.

"What did mommy mean by that," said Hotch, knowing exactly what it meant.
"Hide," said Henry.
A tear ran down Henry's little face.
"The man almost found me," said Henry.
Morgan put his arms around the little boy.
"It's okay, you're safe now. Did you see the man?" said Morgan.
Henry nodded.
"He looked a little like daddy, but with a beard," said Henry.
"Why did you come out of your hiding spot," said Hotch as working the case meant hide until someone comes to save you.
"I could hear that my daddy was in pain," said Henry.
"Did you go back over to your father," said Morgan.
Henry nodded.
"Daddy told me to go to the neighbors for help," said Henry.
Hotch nodded.
"You are a very brave kid, you saved your father's life," said Hotch.
"I want my mommy," cried Henry
Morgan picked him up, holding him tight.
"It's okay buddy, you're safe. We are going to do everything we can to find your mother," said Morgan.