CHAPTER TWENTY: FAST AND FURIOUS !

4x11
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CASEY HAD BEEN ON THE PLANE, WAITING TO BE BRIEFED FOR THE CASE THEY HAD THAT CAME STRAIGHT TO THEM. Casey was seated next to Emily as Jordan had come back in the room with folders for the case.

"This is Orange County, California. Ten days ago, Judy Hannity, a real estate broker and a mother, was shotgunned on the 91 Freeway." Casey looked down at the pictures of the wrecked vehicle and it looked wrecked.

"She survived this?" Casey asked. "Barely," Jordan answered. "She's paralyzed from the waist down. The second and third victims were both DOA, there were different vehicles for each shooting. A small black SUV, a black Sedan, a white Sedan, no makes, no plates."

"No solid witnesses?" Morgan asked next. "The first victim described the shooter as a normal, middle-aged white guy in an SUV." Jordan told. "She gave that description but she couldn't remember anything else?" Hotch questioned. "Isn't that consistent with trauma?" Jordan guessed.

"Uh, actually, no," Emily spoke. "Trauma victims either remember everything or nothing." Casey turned over as Reid began to speak. "So wait--the third victim was shot last week, we just got the phone call today?" He asked.

"Until the third shooting, the locals weren't convinced it was a serial shooter. There were different cars, and the first shooting there was a different weapon." Jordan explained.

"It's the same weapon," Rossi stated, placing the pictures down in front of the group. "The shot pattern on the second and third one are much wider, though." Reid told. "No, Rossi's right," Casey said, getting a better look at the pictures. "He sawed off the shotgun. The bullet holes are the same size, but he's trying to cover his tracks by sawing off the shotgun."

Everyone looked at Casey in confusion. "What? I'm smart." She told.

"It's the same shooter. He's evolving, and quickly." Rossi said, sitting back down. "The media has already dubbed him the Road Warrior." Jordan informed. "That explains why they wanted us there so quickly." Emily said.

"What do you mean?" Jordan asked.

"This type of unsub is the hardest to catch. Totally impersonal victims. A third of the crime scene flees with him and his vehicle. The victim's car's a wreck. And the last third, the road, it's contaminated by all the other cars that drive over it." Morgan explained.

"So how do we get him?" Jordan asks.

"We build a solid profile," Hotch interferes. "We release it to the public with an appeal for help. Somebody knows this guy."

"And it's my job to make them realize." Casey looked over at Jordan as she made her comment and remained silent the rest of the plane ride to Orange County.

        They showed up at the station and Casey immediately took notice of the torn-up vehicles in front of her. A woman had walked towards them and introduced herself. "Thea Salinas, Sheriff's County homicide. I'm running the taskforce." She shook Jordan's hand. "I'm Special Agent Jordan Todd," She motioned to the others. "Special Agents Rossi, Hotchner, Prentiss, Morgan, Dr. Spencer Reid and the BAU's intern, Miss Casey Willows." Spencer waved at the woman and Casey shook her hand as she made her way around.

     "Are these the vehicles from the shootings?" Hotch asked. "Yes." The woman nodded. Morgan, Prentiss and Hotch all walked into the room where they stored the broken vehicles, leaving Casey, Reid and Rossi along with Jordan with the woman.

     "Did you set up the hotline?" Jordan asked. "Like you asked," Salinas nodded. "We have the local stations putting the number out there. We're getting about a dozen calls an hour."

     "I'll alert the media to stand by for our press conference. Excuse me." Jordan excused herself and walked away. "The sheriff's department and the CHP are on TAC alert. We've got choppers on round-the-clock freeway patrol. The victims' vehicles, with maps, csps, and bullet points. Everything we got on the case is in this room." Salinas explains to the three in front of her.

     "Anything solid on the tip line?" Rossi asked. "Usual nutjobs, crime buffs, bored senior citizens." Salinas told. "Sounds like you might have got everything squared away." Casey said, looking around. "It's not me," Salinas tells. "It's the shooter."

     "The OC has an endless supply of 3 things-- Freeways, news coverage, and blond female luxury car owners."
      "People are pretty scared?"
      "I could ask for a submarine and get it."

Hotch and Prentiss had gone to talk to the first victim and Hotch had come back with info that he had currently been writing on their board they had placed up. "Judith Hannity said that he shot her after she challenged him personally. Before that, he was almost apologetic."

Reid had rushed in the room with the map and Casey furrowed her eyebrows at him. "What's going on?" Rossi asked. "Out of the 30 roadwork sites in the kill zone, only 2 were alternate merges," Reid laid the map out in front of them. "Both less than 3 miles from the crime scenes."

"Alternate merges?" Emily questioned.

"Multiple lanes funneled down to one. One car per lane, alternating at the drivers' discretion." Reid explained. "These sites allow him to set up the confrontation." Casey realizes.
"A guy who follows the rules may lash out once, but to do it again, he'd need similar provocation." Rossi told. "So he seeks out alternate merge sites, then he goes through them over and over again until he finds a woman that fits his victim type and who cuts him off." Hotch says.

Emily continued, "So, we have to shut down every alternate merge in the county immediately." Derek looks to her. "And we need to talk to the crews that work these sites." Emily pulls out her phone and begins to make a call.

"So what does all this tell you?" Salinas spoke, listening into the conversation. "Impersonal killers are like drug addicts," Hotch states. "The first time gives them the ultimate high, and after that, no high is as good. Unfortunately, the addict doesn't know that. He will chase that high to the gates of insanity and death. By now, killing is all our unsub things about. He's set up the exact same situation again and again, hoping to get the same result. He begins to think he's doing it wrong. He becomes obsessed with improving his skills, honing his M.O.. And tailoring his weapon to his deadly purpose. He figures if he gets them all just right, if he can get his technique and his tools perfected, He'll feel that first high again. He's becoming a more lethal addict. And he'll never accept that the high is gone and it won't come back. He'll never stop. Never."

"Well, that's reassuring," Casey comments. "And very freaky."

After releasing the profile to the public, the unsub had struck again and two bodies were found in a vehicle — dead on arrival. Casey had decided to go with Morgan, Hotch and Rossi to check it out.
"Joe Karem and Timothy Calvert, D.O.A. — no wants, no warrants. They work in the area, and detectives are notifying their families." Salinas explained.

       "Sawed-off 12-gauge, close range, shot out of the driver's side window, driving a small blue SUV." Morgan told. "That's our guy, but he went way off script."

      "Multiple male victims, surface street, daytime attack, and he drove his own vehicle." Rossi said. "Something definitely pissed this guy off." Casey commented. "What time did this happen?" She looked at Salinas. "Approximately 2:20," Salinas told. "Single witness says the shooter was driving a small blue SUV. Didn't get a plate. Middle-aged white guy, wearing a tie. Suit jacket hanging in the back."

         Rossi and Casey looked at one another and then at Morgan. "Press conference?" Hotch assumed. "2:20," Morgan spoke. "Jordan went on the air at 2:00. He was watching the news."

        "You said the unsub was going to be watching the coverage." Salinas said. "Twenty minutes from wherever he was watching the press conference to this intersection." Rossi told. "He drives the speed limit," Hotch continues. "Taking into account red lights and mid-day traffic... no more than 10 miles."

         "So he lives within 10 miles of here?" Salinas assumes. "I don't think so." Hotch states.
"I don't understand."

         "We were wrong," Morgan spoke. "He was wearing a tie, suit jacket hanging in the back."

         "And considering the time of day..." Casey continues and Salinas nods at the girl. "He works in the area."

        Morgan excuses himself from the conversation. "I'm gonna call Garcia." Casey waits, looking around and towards the vehicle, trying to figure this guy out. Why was he doing this? What was he gaining from it?

        Derek had come back after a minute long convo with Garcia. "You think he's gonna kill again soon, don't you?" Salinas asked. "And he's done killing surrogates." Rossi nodded, answering her question.

       "Did you know?" Casey whipped her head around and looked at Jordan, who was looking at Hotch. "Excuse me." Hotch pulls her arm and begins to tell her that she's about to give another press conference and to not cause a scene.

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Jordan had released an additional profile to the public and people had been calling in about how they had seen a guy that looked normal and could've possibly been the unsub. Prentiss, Morgan, Reid and Casey all decided to go and visit the unsub's claimed job.

      "That's funny, when I heard the description in the first press conference, I thought of Norman," The boss spoke to the four. "Then I just thought, it couldn't be, you know? He's so quiet."

"What is it that Mr. Hill does for you?" Emily questioned as they went to go and visit his desk. "He's in charge of the company's travel expenses. This is his desk." He explains. "Does he have access to the company cars?" Reid asked.

"Yeah, the whole fleet." The man told and Casey looked down at a framed picture of him and his family. "What about the first press conference made you think of Norman?" Morgan questioned.

"The woman mentioned something about him suffering a tragedy. His youngest daughter, Jenny, she was... run over by a car. It was a terrible accident. Happened right in front of him."

Casey looked down and then back up at the man. There was always a reason for everything. "How long ago did his daughter die?" She asked.

"Six months," He said. "I really should have done more to help him." A woman had come by and placed a file in his hand. "Thank you." He handed the file to Reid. "Norman's personnel file."

Reid opened up the folder. "This address current?" He asked. "It should be." Reid looked down to see that there had not been one — but two files. "Why does he have two files?" He asked.

"Uh, we cross-reference married couples." The man stated and Casey furrowed her eyebrows. "I don't understand." Emily told, reading Casey's mind. "Norman's wife, Vanessa, works here, too."

       Morgan looks at the frame that Casey's holding. "We need to speak to her." He told.

      "Uh, she's not here. She just got a promotion, so she took a couple of weeks off." The man explained.

      He had given them the address to their home and they were leaving the building when Hotch called Morgan, telling him they had a high-speed chase and 117 and Pacific.

      "All right, listen, we're closer to 117, so we're on our way now." Morgan told. "We'll head over to the Hill house. If he's having a break, he could be on his way there to finish it. We're on our way. Be careful." Hotch explained.

      "Okay." Morgan said, hanging up. "Hold on, Morgan, let me drive." Casey insisted. "What? No way." Morgan shook his head. "Come on, I'm fast and I can drive. We can get to this guy faster if I'm behind the wheel." Morgan gave the girl a look of uncertainty and looked back at Emily, who had the same look.

      "Let me pull my weight around here." Casey's eyes pleaded as she spoke. Morgan gave in and took the passenger's side as Reid and Prentiss took the backseats and Reid leading Casey to where they needed to go. 

      Casey could hear the sirens but could see no police car in-sight. She had driven and Emily was definitely questioning how she got her license. Morgan was making a mental note to never let her take over driving again and Reid was definitely reciting prayers in his head. That's how bad she was at driving when it came to police chases.

      "Turn right here." Reid told. "Where, here?" Casey questioned. "Right--right-- turn right here! Turn right here!" Reid shouted and Casey spun the wheel towards the right direction.

     "I'm gonna need a little bit more notice than that, Reid!" Casey shouted. "Sorry, sorry." Reid repeated and Casey sighed, "It's fine, just be a little faster with directions!"

    "How did you get your license, Ace?!" Morgan questioned. "I pretty much winged it the first time!" Casey told.

     "Alright, left." Reid told.
     "Where?"
     "Next light."

     Casey screeched the tires as she spun the wheel once more and Reid was mentally freaking out.  "Repeat, shots fired! On the chase now." The radio blared. "He's losin' it," Morgan stated. "Reid, does it look like the chase could be headed to his house?"

       Reid nodded, looking down at the map. "Uh, yeah, I think so. It almost looks like he's starting to go in a wide circle toward that direction."

   "All units, pursuit now headed over Memorial Bridge."

    "We're almost there. Turn right at the next light." Reid told and Casey turned right. "Memorial Bridge is on the next corner." Casey looked over and spotted the police cars to her left. "Everyone, hold on!" Casey swung the car over and made a U-Turn following the police cars in front of them now.

    Casey zoomed down the road and kept her eyes on the car. "Reid, get on the radio and tell them we're in the chase." Morgan told and Reid grabbed the walkie. "This is the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit. We caught up to the chase and are now monitoring. We ask if you're able to stop the vehicle, You allow us to take the lead in contacting the driver. We believe him to be a severely deranged suspect." Reid explained. "Copy."

     As they chased the car down, Norman had crashed into a police car and Casey came to a sudden halt. She got out of the vehicle and Morgan's phone began to ring and he was quick to answer it.

    Norman was struggling to get out of his flip-sided vehicle and Casey held her weapon up since he was a threat. Police officers had been doing the same thing as well as Reid and Prentiss. Morgan hung up his phone instantly and ordered everyone to stand down with their weapons.

   "Norman!" Morgan held his gun up to the man. "What are you doing? What are you doing?" Norman questioned, standing up next to his car. "Don't move!" Morgan demanded.

     "My family's inside!"
     "Stop and listen to me!"
     "No, my family's--"
     "Listen to me! Nobody is in that car. Your family's gone, Norman."

    "No, they're in there." Norman insisted. "They're gone, Norman! Look inside. Look in the car. Look in the car. They were never there. It's over. They were never with you."

    Casey looked at Morgan and then at Norman, who had looked in his car. "No, but they were. They were—" He stopped as if a memory had come to him. It was then that Casey had come to the conclusion that he killed his family — sooner than they had predicted before.

    "Your family's gone, Norman." Morgan told.

    "Oh, god, what did I do?" Norman cried. "Oh, what did I do to my family? My family! I'm sorry. I'm sorry!" Morgan had put Norman's hands behind his back.

    Normally, Casey never felt bad for the unsubs but there was something about this one. Norman had gone through a loss and it drove him to kill his family without him even realizing.

    "It's over, Norman." Morgan handcuffed the sobbing man. "We're gonna get you some help. It's over. Let's go. Get up." Casey watched as they put the man in a police car and she looked at everyone, realizing the case was over.

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     The gang had gotten back to Quantico and Casey was about ready to get home after paperwork and get some shut-eye. "You all right?" Morgan asked Jordan as they walked in. "I will be." Jordan assured.

"Hey, you guys ever notice how the trip home always seems to go so much faster?" Prentiss asked. "That's because the tailwinds are in our favor." Reid stated. Casey looked at Reid and then at Emily. "Yeah, exactly that." Casey said, a chuckle escaping her lips as she said it.

"Anybody want to get something to eat?" Emily asked and Casey looked at Reid and noticed he was looking up at the round table room. "There's someone in the BAU room, guys." Reid announced and Casey furrowed her eyebrows, following Reid.

Casey went up the stairs and heard Reid ask: "What are you doing here?" Casey gasped once she had seen JJ with baby Henry in her arms. "Oh, my goodness!" Casey said. "JJ." Emily smiled as she walked in the room behind Casey and it seemed that everyone had followed Reid and Casey in the room.

"Garcia said you guys were on your way back tonight. I thought you could use a surprise." JJ said, motioning towards Henry. "Best surprise ever!" Casey whispered, looking down at the baby. "Hi!"

"I thought I gave you strict orders to get this place out of your head for a while." Hotch told, crossing his arms. Garcia appears behind him. "My bad. I couldn't help myself." She had a baby bottle in her hands. "Here. I heated it up. Room temp, right?"

JJ looked around. "I just realized, with all that we do and see in this room, it never smiles. I wanted at least one good memory to hold on to." Casey smiled at JJ's gesture.

"Excuse me, kid." Morgan said, pushing past Reid. "Um, JJ, uh... can I?" Casey smirked, looking towards Morgan and then at Emily. "Of course." She gently placed Henry in Morgan's arms.

"Okay, you gotta hold his head up." Emily told.
"Yeah, mind his head!" Casey ordered.
"Careful, careful." Penelope added onto the banter.

"I got it, I got it. I got it." Morgan assured, holding Henry in his arms. "No, you don't got it. You're smothering him." Penelope said.

"Look, what's he doing? What's he doing? He is smiling at Derek Morgan." Morgan smirked and Casey furrowed her eyebrows at the man and her, Emily and Penelope all had the same idea.

"Gas." The three women said.

Morgan looked at the women and then at Penelope with the bottle. "Give me that." He said and Casey burst into laughter. "Hey, little man." He began to give him his bottle.

"This is a good ending to bizarre case." Emily commented. "Yeah, Henry, wait 'til you hear about the story where Auntie Casey chased down a car like she was in Fast & Furious. That is if your mama lets me tell you the story." Casey whispered to the baby.

"What's Fast & Furious?" Reid questioned.

Casey looked at Reid in disbelief. "Dude, we gotta get you a modern-day dictionary."

hey, lovelies!
i hope you all enjoyed that little chapter!
i think i got a little sloppy with the writing but i'm doing it ig lol
thank you for reading!!
next chapter — soul mates
i love you all :)
-mya <3