Two days later and there was still no new information about the victims or the UNSUB. Derek and JJ went with Brennan and Booth to interview the family members and friends of the victims. Trying to see if there was any overlap in their social life or any clues as to how the UNSUB was picking his victims.

Back at the Jeffersonian, Reid was standing behind Zack and Hodgins as they took samples from the bodies.

“So agent,” Hodgins said.

“It’s Doctor,” Reid replied absently.

“You have a doctorate? What are you some kind of genius?” Hodgins asked. 

“I don't believe that intelligence can be accurately quantified, but I do have an IQ of 187, three PhD’s, an eidetic memory, and can read 20,000 words per minute,” Reid replied. Hodgins stared at him. “Yes, I'm a genius.”

“He’s IQ is higher than yours Zack,” Hodgins said after a minute. Zack glared at him. A clicking of heels on steps sounded Cam’s arrival.

“Hodgins, don’t you have a weapon to identify?” Cam asked.

“I’m still running it,” Hodgins replied.

“Zack, have you found anything new?”

“Nothing yet,” he said. “I’m still examining the bones.”

“Keep looking, we need something to catch this guy.” 

~

“Okay,” Angela said. “So who is Garcia?” She was curious as to who Emily Prentiss worked with and wanted to know more about her and her team.

“She’s our technical genius,” Prentiss said. “Hacked into the FBI and they offered her a job.”

“What about Reid and Morgan?”

“Reid’s freakishly intelligent and Morgan likes to kick down doors.”

Angela laughed. They had been sitting in her office for the past fifteen minutes because, as Angela had said, there was not much they could do until the others found something or Garcia called them back.

“Is Morgan single?” Angela asked with a smile. Prentiss shrugged.

“I think so, we don’t really get too much into our personal lives outside of work,” she said. “Besides, that bug guy and you seem to have a thing.”

“I’m just keeping my options open.”

“Okay, now I get to ask you about your team.”

“My team?” Angela said. “It’s more like Brennan or Cam’s team, depending on who you ask.”

“Doesn’t Dr. Saroyan run the Jeffersonian? Wouldn’t it be her team?”

“We’ve all been working for Temperance longer, we know her better.”

“Temperance?” Prentiss asked.

“Sorry, Dr. Brennan,” Angela amended. Before Prentiss could ask any of her questions, her phone started to ring.

“It’s Garcia,” she told Angela, pulling it out of her pocket and putting it on speaker. “Did you find anything?”

“There isn’t a connection between all the victims,” Garcia said. “Several of the victims were from the area, but Hick was from California and Bauer was from Minnesota.”

“Any similar places they all went before they well, died,” Angela asked.

“Nope, Underwood and Jackson both went the same coffee shop, but other than that these victims have nothing in common.”

“Okay thanks Garcia, send me the information you have so far,” Prentiss said.

“You, my fine furry friends, are always welcome!” The phone call disconnected with a click. Barely a second later, the printer began printing off the files Garcia was sending.

“She sounds interesting,” Angela said.

“You have no idea,” Prentiss replied as they started sorting through the files. 

~

“Okay,” Hodgins said. He was standing with his arms cross, eyeing the other two with narrowed eyes. “If you’re as smart as you say, why work for the FBI?”

“The BAU is really the only job I had considered,” Reid replied. He was examining the wrist of one of the bodies. Hodgins scoffed as he glanced towards Angela’s office.

“There’s been another body,” Hotch said from the bottom of the stairs. “I’ll call Morgan and JJ, get whatever you guys need.”

“Has he just been lurking the entire time?” Hodgins muttered. Reid pretended not to hear as he headed towards the doors.

“Hotch says there’s been another victim,” Prentiss said as she exited Angela’s office.

“We heard,” Reid replied. “Garcia said she was sending over the files of the previous victims. Did you – “

“Already faxed over,” Prentiss said. “Angela and I already sorted through most of the information, so far nothing that connects them all. She’s gonna look and Garcia is going through their online history.”

“Not surprising to think that big brother is invading everyone’s privacy,” Hodgins said. Prentiss raised her eyebrows at the bug guy.

“Ignore him,” Zack said. “He thinks everything is a conspiracy theory.”

“That’s because almost everything is a government conspiracy,” Hodgins shot back. He launched into an explanation about all the conspiracy’s the government was covering up on the way to the crime scene. Reid was fascinated, while Prentiss was trying to figure out how much paperwork she would have to do if she “accidentally” shot Hodgins in the leg.  

This crime scene was in an alleyway between a boarded up shop and an open grocery store.

“This is different from his usual MO,” Reid said.

“The victim is Owen Rains,” Prentiss said. She picked up the victim’s wallet and was busy sorting through the contents. Reid pulled out his phone to call Garcia.

“What am I doing here?” Brennen’s sharp voice cut through the surrounding traffic.

“It’s a body Bones,” Booth said. “Just do your thing.”

“This body has flesh on it,” she replied. “I don’t do flesh.” The pair were making their way down the alley.

“Where’s Derek and JJ?” Prentice asked Booth. Brennen was sidetracked by interrogating her squints, asking if they found anything new at the Jeffersonian.

"Went back to the station,” Booth said. “Local media got a hold of the story and they went to sort out the press.”

“Let me guess,” Prentice said. “They’ve given him a nickname.”

“The Washington Stabber,” Booth said. “So, not a very good nickname.”

“Only ten percent of active serial killers are actual recognized by the media and given nicknames,” Reid said.

“That’s not at all creepy,” Hodgins said. “I can sleep so much better after knowing that.”

“Hodgins, collect samples,” Brennen said. “Cam can look at him when we get back to the Jeffersonian.”

“This location is much closer to the street,” Prentiss said. “That’s a significant change from the woods.”

“His old dumping ground was found,” Reid said. “And the media is giving the murders more attention. Could be that he is devolving?”

“We’ll know more once the body gets back to the Jeffersonian,” Prentiss replied. 

~

“Owen Rains,” Angela said. She was pinning the picture of the latest victim to the board next to Eric Jackson. “He was 24, single, reported missing by his brother two days ago when he didn’t come home for their weekly dinner.”

“The time between kidnapping and murder has decreased,” Derek said. He was sitting on Angela’s couch, Reid next to him and Prentiss leaning against the wall. Angela’s office had turned into their makeshift office. She didn’t mind, it let her ogle the handsome agents without having to move.

“But is it from the media attention or another stressor?” Reid asked.

"Hodgins found something,” Hotch said, sticking his head in. “There was DNA under the latest victims’ fingernails, traced it back to a Randall Cooper, age 37. He’s been arrested for aggravated assault and public intoxication.”

"Where is he now?” Morgan asked.

“Garcia is sending over his work address and his home address,” Hotch replied. “Prentiss, you and I will go to the home address. Morgan, you and Reid go to his work. Take Booth and Brennen with you.”

“Let’s go Pretty Boy,” Morgan said. Reid scowled at his back as they left.

~

Morgan pulled up the car outside of Randall Cooper’s place of work. Which was a scrap yard that belonged to Bailey and Sons.

“What can I help you with gentlemen?” A large, thick-necked individual with a receding hairline and protruding belly asked them the minute they entered the garage. His nametag identified him as David Bailey.

“FBI,” Derek said flashing his badge. Reid and Booth did the same.

“Forensic anthropologist,” Brennen said. “From the Jeffersonian.”

“Is Randall Cooper working today?” Booth asked. David was staring at Brennen with raised eyebrows.

“Uh, yeah,” David said. His eyes narrowing at their badges. “Has he done something wrong? Cause he’s one of the decent guys I got working here.”

“We just want to ask him a couple questions,” Derek replied. “Where can we find him?”

“He’s in the back somewhere,” David said. “Probably sorting the metal scrap.”

“Thanks for your help,” Booth said. “We’ll take it from here.” They wandered through the heaps of random scrap that people had thrown away at this place. Eventually they hit the metal area. Two workers informed them that Randall was in the back.

“Randall Cooper?” Reid asked as they came across a large man with muscled arms and dreads.

“Who’s asking?” The man demanded. His voice low and gruff. A large metal pipe in one hand, the scrap pile between him and the agents.

“FBI,” Derek said. “We’re gonna need you to put down that pipe and come with us.” Randall threw the pipe at them and took off running through the piles.

“Duck,” Booth yelled. He grabbed Brennan and pulled her to his chest, out of the path of the flying pipe. Reid was not so lucky. The pipe hit him in square in the stomach, knocking the air out of his lungs.

“Reid,” Morgan dropped to his knees next to him. “You alright?”

“Fine,” Reid wheezed back. “Go.”

“We’ve got him,” Brennan said. She took off running in the direction that Randall had gone before Booth could stop her.

“Dammit Bones,” Booth growled as he ran after her. Derek and Reid split off down another path of metal scrap, searching for their suspect.

“Booth,” Brennan’s yell from up ahead brought all three agents running. Randall Cooper was flat on his back, a bruise darkening his forehead.

“What did you do?” Booth demanded.

“I hit him in the head,” Brennan replied. “This is why I should have a gun.”

“This is exactly why you should not have a gun,” Booth replied. Derek hid his smirk as he handcuffed the knocked out Randall. 

~

Ummm.... Hi? Er, *clears throat nervously* Hello, I have another chapter for you guys. You lovely and patient followers of mine that I definitely do not deserve. Sorry if there are any terrible grammar mistakes. It is 3:33 am during finals week and I am very tired.

Anyways, enjoy!