timeless, spencer reid [ 1 ]

025. house on fire

"This is news footage from a movie theater in Royal, Indiana, population 2,000." JJ says. "Earlier tonight, 19 people were killed."

"And they're sure it's arson?" Derek asks.

"Yeah, 2 days ago, the same thing happened at the local recreation center." JJ says. "12 victims, no survivors."

"I heard about that." Emily says.

"Yeah, it was all over the news." Derek says.

"There were some details that didn't make the news." JJ says. "A week and a half earlier there were some fires at a convenience store, a local restaurant. Luckily, it was after hours and no one was hurt."

"So whoever set these went from no victims to 31 in less than 2 weeks." Rossi says. "That's a hell of an escalation."

"Why didn't they call us in sooner?" Emily asks.

"The local police and fire department knew they were dealing with an arsonist, but they had no idea he'd become a killer." JJ says.

"Most arsonists don't. They just like setting fires." Spencer says. "Any deaths that occur are almost always accidental."

"31 victims is not an accident." Derek says.

"The police chief knows he made a mistake." Hotch says. "And he learned the hard way that even though not all arsonists are killers, they do have one thing in common -- once they start, they can't stop."

+++

"Based on the limited population of Royal, the unsub is most likely a local male between the ages of 17 and 30." Spencer says.

"What, arson is a sexist industry?" Penelope asks.

"For the most part, yeah. Only 12% of arsonists are female." Spencer informs.

"Apparently women just aren't inclined to burn things." Emily remarks.

"Let's go with the numbers. Focus on males." Hotch says.

"Well, we can scratch hero complex off the list." Derek says. "He hasn't left anyone to save."

"Yeah, but we can't rule out firefighters and other first responders." Bedelia says.

"How's about I do a background check on all local firefighters and EMTs?" Penelope asks.

"And flag anyone with a history of being first on the scene." Hotch says.

"Or anyone with a juvenile record that includes vandalism or small nuisance fires." Rossi adds.

"I will look at everything from firebug to flamethrower." Penelope says.

"JJ, check out the news footage. I want the word out that we'd like to see any personal videos or photos of the fire." Hotch says. "Arsonists like to watch and if our unsub stuck around maybe somebody will recognize him."

"I'm on it." She says.

"Locals find anything in their call logs that resemble the unsub's M.O.?" Derek asks. "I mean, he may have staged practice runs."

"According to the fire chief's report there was nothing similar in the past year." Rossi says.

"Garcia, extend your search statewide." Hotch says. "The unsub may have done his practicing far enough away so as not to arouse suspicion."

"I will cast a wide net, sir."

"Thank you."

"I grew up in a small town. People are gonna assume anyone we question is guilty." JJ says.