people help the people, criminal minds: evolution [ 4 ]

002. old angry dudes

Luke and Madelyn walk into the round table room where JJ is and she has the news on.

"Everyone's covering it, thank God." Luke says.

"Hey, uh, I'm so sorry Rossi blew up." JJ tells him. 

"It's nothing, all right?" Luke dismisses. "Look, once I was called a worthless piece of shit who was a disgrace to the Army uniform he was wearing."

"Basic training?" JJ asks.

"My grandmother." Luke states.

"Damn." Madelyn mumbles.

"Yeah, she was pretty bitter after Poppi died." Luke says.

"Okay. Uh, yeah, that's-- that's kind of my point, actually." JJ says. "We all wear grief differently, even Rossi. But it's almost been a year, and he still won't talk to any of us about it. It's not healthy. He can't keep it bottled up like this, and we cannot be the punching bags anymore."

Luke's phone chimes and he looks at it.

"Hey. About time. We got the neighbor's security footage. Took twice as long as it would've taken Penelope. No disrespect to the Remote Garcias." Luke says.

"We should call them by their names." JJ comments.

"It's been three years. Who are we kidding? We're not learning their names." Luke remarks and Madelyn chuckles. "Okay, the Delaneys' security was offline, probably from a signal jammer."

"Unsub's organized, like we thought." Madelyn says.

"Yeah, but it didn't wipe out wi-fi on the whole block, so the neighbors got this." Luke says. "11:10 PM. Let's fast forward, see where he goes. 11:43. Wait, what's this?"

"Well, he walked in, killed the parents, and abducted Chrissy in the family station wagon. This guy's bold. Garage is attached. Gives him all the privacy he needs." JJ says.

"All right, look, I'll get a BOLO out on the Delaneys' car. Geography based on his lead time, we're gonna have to go two states in every direction that doesn't end in the Atlantic Ocean." Luke says.

"Means we can issue that Amber Alert, too. I'll tell Rossi." JJ says.

+++

"Parking lot cameras are offline." Luke tells the two women as he walks in. "Signal jammer again." He sits between them. "State police are taking witness statements. Nothing so far. It's like she just disappeared into a sea of cars."

"Unsub's either confident or stupid." JJ scoffs. "Huge risk making that deal out in the open. He must have some kind of control over her."

"If she didn't know he'd killed her parents already, he could use that as a threat." Luke says. "You know, "Do what I say or I will circle back for them.""

"Okay, now, don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled that he didn't hurt the toddler, but it does make me wonder why. Someone this violent usually destroys everyone."

"Could be that he saw himself in the little brother." Luke says. "Maybe he was one. Both families seemed really close. Maybe he's a neighbor who covets."

"Mm. Well, nowadays, social media gives you all the access you need." JJ says, getting on the tablet. "Mm. Only thing is, Chrissy Delaney isn't on any public platforms. Oh. She does, however, have a profile on SOAR. And so does our first victim, Jessie Westbrook."

"SOAR? As in Safe Online Acquaintance Revolution?" Luke asks as JJ nods. "What are the chances that both girls only use this platform?"

"Well, it was created for teenagers to have a safe space online, so I can't say it's that big of a coincidence." JJ says. "Look, we-- the three of us know it's a vault."