Chapter 214: The Unfortunate Couples (Part 4)

However, the analysis of trace evidence has not yet yielded results. Due to the winter season, typical residues like insects and pollen are minimal. The crime lab is currently analyzing the soil composition left in the tire treads of the vehicles, attempting to trace the routes taken by the victims' cars, but this process will take a long time.

Based on the killer's pattern, the next attack is likely within the next two or three days. It's even possible that a victim has already been targeted, but their family hasn't reported them missing yet.

At noon, a group of local officers, summoned by their sheriff, gathered in the police station office, munching on donuts that Jack and Emily brought back while listening to the BAU team's case analysis and profile of the killer.

A few ambitious officers, aiming for detective positions, even had notebooks and pens ready, eager to learn. After all, not every small police station has the chance to receive help from an FBI profiling team.

Hotchner began, "The last victims, Jonathan and Rebecca Garon, according to their family, were on vacation near Reno last weekend and planned to find a place to stay overnight on their way home."

Reid pointed at the map, "Following their route home, they would likely have passed through the Sherwood area, where the Corbins were last seen."

"After leaving Reno, they didn't use their credit cards again. Unless they were carrying a large amount of cash, their accommodation couldn't have been expensive."

"Considering the killer's method, he needs enough privacy and time for his assaults, allowing us to rule out many areas."

The most senior and experienced Sheriff Bruner looked thoughtful. "So, we might be looking for a night-shift worker at a remote motel near Sherwood?"

"And we believe he's not very young, probably between 30 and 35 years old," Reid added.

"Why do you say that?" Sheriff Bruner asked, puzzled.

Reid explained, "Silently abducting a couple requires careful planning and a high level of difficulty. The killer needs enough time to hone his skills."

The sheriff, thinking Reid's reasoning was a bit presumptive, countered, "He might be older."

"Don't get hung up on the killer's age. It's the hardest thing to predict. Dr. Reid is merely making a probabilistic guess," Rossi interjected. "All the female victims suffered violence along with the assaults, indicating the killer is a sadistic rapist."

He then looked at Jack, signaling for him to contribute.

Knowing this was another impromptu test, Jack responded earnestly. "A sadist needs to inflict and observe the suffering of their victims to achieve satisfaction, including psychological abuse. The reason the killer targets couples is likely for this purpose."

Jack paused, then continued with a grim insight that many had suspected but were reluctant to voice. "He forces the husband to witness his wife's assault."

As expected, Jack's words caused discomfort among the officers, including Sheriff Bruner.

Ignoring the murmurs, Emily built on Jack's deduction to complete the profile. "The killer likely has a deep-seated hatred of women, stemming from severe psychological and physical abuse by a female figure, most probably his mother or stepmother."

"He might have witnessed infidelity or similar behaviors, growing up in such an environment. He probably never dated or married."

The officers, including Sheriff Bruner, nodded in agreement.

"We are investigating past offenders in the Sherwood area, but it takes time, and we don't have much of it. The killer may strike again within the next two or three days."

"We can't conduct a large-scale search. Even under the guise of missing person inquiries, we might alert the killer, causing him to change his method or disappear."

Hotchner, addressing the male officers, frowned. "We've requested assistance from neighboring stations, mainly female officers, who will arrive tonight and tomorrow."

"Dr. Reid has identified over 30 remote motels around Sherwood with fewer than five employees. In the coming days, you'll pose as couples, undercover as tourists, staying at these motels."

Seeing smiles on the men's faces, Hotchner sternly interrupted their fantasies. "Understand this is very dangerous. We don't know how the killer silently controlled those four couples. While autopsies didn't find drugs in their systems, the risk remains high."

"You can only carry concealed handguns. Since the killer targets women, the male partners will likely be subdued first. You must protect yourselves and your partners."

"This isn't a romantic 007 mission. Stay vigilant to avoid raising the killer's suspicions. Only officers with undercover experience or relevant training should volunteer."

Sheriff Bruner stepped up, quickly listing names, then announced the meeting was over.

The undercover strategy was the BAU team's consensus after narrowing down the suspect area. A tricky issue arose: once they found the killer, how to secure solid evidence?

Without DNA on the victims, even locating the crime scenes might not yield conclusive evidence linking the killer. The BAU's first major case would be far from perfect.

Given the cross-state nature of the crimes, once the killer was caught, he'd face federal court, with the FBI heavily involved. Any mishap during prosecution could spark significant criticism.

As a former prosecutor, Hotchner raised this concern, and Rossi naturally looked at Jack. Both shared a knowing smile.

After all, in the wilderness, with his experience, no one was better suited than Jack. A mere sadistic rapist was no match for someone who had faced the cannibalistic monster of New Mexico.

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