"The snake which cannot cast its skin has to die. As well the minds which are prevented from changing their opinions; they cease to be mind."
― Friedrich Nietzsche
Crystal appreciated the team's concern, but they needed to focus on the case. They still had a murderer on the lose and they needed to find them fast before another little girl's life was taken, "We didn't get a chance to talk to the grandmother, but Mrs. Lamb was able to answer some questions. Abigail and Bailey both were apart of a solo group for ballet, there's a total of four girls in the group."
Reid stood up to point at the notes, "These notes are handwritten and are the exact same to each of the girls, but Abigail's is written a bit more sloppy which suggests that this was written in haste. This can be connected to anger towards her, Bailey's note doesn't show this."
Morgan nodded, "We looked at the crime scenes and Abigail's dump sight isn't to far from where she was attacked and killed, we think she was meeting with someone. There was two empty cups of soda, they're currently it for prints and DNA."
Emily sighed as she slouched a bit in her seat, "I doubt they'll find the unsubs prints or DNA on the cup, they wouldn't be that careless." Morgan sighed, "Well our best bet would be to question the ballet instructor, maybe someone's been lurking around. Baby girl, can you send us the address of the local studio?"
"Sent to your phones, there's only one in this town and holy smokes does it have a reputation. It's very well known and according to this article people come from out of state to be taught by the instructor Catherine Berry who is a retired ballerina, says here she was quite famous in her days."
Rossi chuckled, "Definitely would shut down other studios if she was famous."
Hotch looked towards the screen, "Garcia look to see if there's anyone who's been charged with assault towards young girls around Abigail and Bailey's age, narrow your search down to people who are native here. The unsub is someone who gained the trust of these girls quickly so look into teachers, store owners, and anyone else they could've come into contact with."
"On it, will call you guys back as soon as I have something."
JJ tilted her head when she looked at Bailey's photos, "What's painted on the wall?" She pointed to a flower, it was small and really unnoticeable unless you looked at the other photo of Bailey's full body. Morgan looked at the photo, "It's just a flower, what about it? People graffiti all the time."
"Looks like a flower called hyacinth and the purple ones mean remorse." Reid provided as he looked at the picture, Rossi raised an eyebrow. "So the unsub didn't mean to kill Bailey?" Crystal shook her head, "I think the unsub meant to hurt her, but he didn't feel good about it. Maybe the unsub was trying to scare her and things went wrong?"
Reid went over to look at the crime scene photo's again, "Look at this, the logo on Abigail's cup has a petunia. These flowers have the meaning of anger and resentment, I think we just found our signature."
Emily stood up as she walked towards the board, "So the unsub is leaving behind flowers that symbolize his feelings towards them, why flowers?" Reid pointed at the flowers, "Performers such as ballerinas and dancers are given flowers at the end of their performance to show appreciation for the hard work they've done to do produce the performance. The unsub could be trying to mock them, they no longer are able to do their solos in the next recital."
Hotch stood up, "We need to find out who else was supposed to be performing for that solo, the notes could be directed towards them." Crystal nodded, "I was going to head down to the ballet studio to question the instructor, I'll ask for the other two girls while I'm down there."
"I'll go with you." Crystal looked at Hotch as he went towards the door, she sighed as she gave the team a smile.
I have a feeling we're going to have a talk about Strauss's phone call.
When Crystal reached the SUV Hotch opened her door for her and closed it after she got in, they started driving once he entered the car. They didn't say anything for awhile before he sighed, "Agent Archer I can tell something Strauss said on your phone call is bothering you."
"And how do you know that?"
"You have a tell." Crystal gave him a somewhat amused look, "Really? You figured it out already?"
"Your smile. You don't fake one but when someone is asking something that is clearly bothering you, you smile and avoid the question." Crystal stared at him for a bit, when they reached a red light he stared back. "Something did bother me yes, but it's not her. Just something in the past that doesn't sit well with what she said."
"Mind telling me what she said?"
"You're really persistent aren't you Agent Hotchner?"
"Would you rather we talk about this later?" The light turned green and the car started moving again, Crystal sighed. "No, we can talk about it now. Strauss's main point in our conversation was that I am replaceable, the team functions with or without me here."
Hotch didn't respond, Crystal looked over to see him gripping the steering wheel. Crystal looked out the window, "She also put it rather forwardly that being involved with you isn't something I would want to bring up with the director, but don't worry. I made it clear that you're a great Unit Chief who would never jeopardize the BAU, she's just doing her job with interrogating me."
"You're not replaceable Agent, you're a great add on to the team and I hope you don't take her words seriously."
"They're true though, besides she's just worried about the team's reputation."
"No they aren't," Hotch parked the car in front of the studio and turned to look at her, "You're an amazing Agent and you've been a big help to the team, to me. It's correct that there are many people who could become profilers, but there isn't a person out there who could take on the role you have in the team."
"And what role would that be?"
"A profiler who is able to see past me and a person who's become a friend." Crystal laughed, "Agent Hotchner I don't really see how that's a role, I'm sure you're close with the other team members as well."
"It is a role, it's a role no one has filled yet. You're very compassionate and caring with your actions towards others, even with Strauss insulting you you're defending her. You play the role of being a reasonable person and you are very observant of the people around you for only being here 2 months, you fill the role of a warm friend who's there when you need them." Hotch smiled at her and she returned it, "I'm glad I can fill that role for you Agent Hotchner, I think we should continue this conversation later."
He nodded as they both got out of the car and headed inside the studio, he opened the door for her. There was a teenage boy at the desk, he waved at them. "Hey, classes aren't over yet. Which class is your child in right now?"
Hotch showed him his badge, "We're with the FBI, can you tell us where Catherine Berry is?" The boy's eyes widen a bit, "Woah, FBI? That's so cool, Miss Berry's class isn't done just yet. It'll be another 10 minutes before the class ends." Crystal smiled at him, "This is an urgent matter, would you mind showing us to her anyway?"
The boy hesitated a bit before nodding, "Yeah if it's really important, right this way." He walked from the desk to a hallway, Hotch and Crystal followed him. "What's your name?" He turned to look at them, "My names Nate, I work part-time here as the receptionist and help clean up around here sometimes for extra shifts. Miss Berry doesn't like her classes being interrupted, so she might be a bit agitated."
They reached a door at the end of the hallway, Nate knocked on the door before opening it. When he opened it they immediately heard a woman's voice, "Nathaniel! How dare you interrupt my class! Can't you see that I'm currently holding auditions to fill in the spots for the solo part? Exit immediately!"
"Miss Berry, there are people here from the FBI. They said they needed to talk to you."
"Tell them class will be over in 10 minutes." Before Nate could answer Hotch stepped in through the door with Crystal not far behind, "We need to ask you a few questions about the two young girls who were murdered, that's more important than you trying to replace them. You can either answer now or I can take you down to the station."
Miss Berry narrowed her eyes at him before looking at her class, "Ladies and Gentlemen, go to the next room over and continue practicing. I will call you back in once these people have left." The group of children rushed out the room, once they were gone Nate left too before closing the door behind him.
"Please make this quick, I'm very busy." Crystal walked towards her and looked around the studio, "You don't seem to upset about the deaths of Abigail and Bailey."
"What a preposterous accusation! I'm deeply grieving over their deaths and I even sent the families free tickets to the recital."
"Miss Berry I don't mean to offend you, but you're already trying to fill the roles for the solo."
"Their deaths are sad, but the show must go on. The girls worked hard for this and I won't let it go to waste, the two other girls need to practice to make the dance perfect." Crystal hummed as she turned around to see what Hotch was doing, he was on the phone.
"Do you mind if we get the names of the two other girls in the solo? We have a theory and those girls could be in potential danger."
"The girls are Anastasia Reed and Jammie Ramirez, they are in the other room right now." Before she could say anything Hotch walked over to them and he looked pissed, "Miss Berry we're going to need you to come down to the station."
"Excuse me? Are you seriously going to consider me a suspect?"
"Yes we are, you have 4 abuse charges filed against you from parents of the young children who've taken you classes."
"Those charges were dropped, they were a mistake."
Crystal frowned at her, "So four parents accidently reported you to the police for abusing the children in your class?" Miss Berry cleared her throat, "My teaching techniques are specific and are needed for them to be better, ballet is an art." Hotch's jaw clenched, "What you did, did you do it to Abigail? To Bailey? Did they threaten to report you? Is that why you hurt them?"
"Nonsense! I won't stand here and listen to your slander. You may see yourselves out of my studio." Miss Berry glared at them and Crystal narrowed her eyes at her, "Are you frightened? You should be, you're next."
Miss Berry physically flinched, "E-excuse me?" Crystal took a step towards her, "Miss Berry you did something to those girls and if you don't tell us now what you did then we'll take you back to the station as a suspect for murder. You flinched when I said that, do you know how I know those words? The killer left a note with those words next to the dead bodies of those young girls, so unless you want being murder suspect on your record I suggest you cooperate."
Miss Berry swallowed as she looked at Hotch and Crystal, Hotch just gave her a glare of his own. "I discipline my students as needed, I expect them to be at their best and to be the best if they want to succeed in life as a dancer."
Hotch stood next to Crystal, "Did you say those words to the children when they made mistakes?"
"Yes, I did."
"What did you do?"
"I- is this really necessary?" Miss Berry looked scared, Crystal just shrugged. "We could go to the station instead if you'd like." Miss Berry shook her head as she sighed, "I would use a ruler against the back of their knees and on their ankles, this was so that they would learn to do better." Crystal felt Hotch tense beside her, "You think that's discipline? How did you get the parents to drop the charges?"
"It was for their own good, as for the parents they had no proof that I was the one who made those marks."
"Where would you discipline them?"
"In front of the class, the embarrassment of facing their competition and letting them be seen as weak is to fuel them to be better."
"What reasons do you discipline these children for?"
"I write a report on the incident and keep it filed away."
"We'll need to see those." Hotch stated and Miss Berry hesitated a bit before nodding, Crystal tilted her head a bit. "We found images of certain flowers near the bodies, would you know anything about that?"
"No, flowers are not allowed anywhere near the studio or the recitals. It's a rule that I make the families and dancers follow, I'm allergic to flowers."
Crystal looked at her with a raised eyebrow, "You're allergic?"
"Yes, I can't be anywhere near them before I start breaking out. That's why there are no flowers on the property or in the building."
"Where were your whereabouts last night and two nights ago?"
"Here at the studio, you can check the tapes if you don't believe me."
"Agent Hotchner and I will look at them to confirm your statement. Were you not worried? Abigail didn't show up for two days for practice."
"She had told me that her grandmother was feeling ill, I told her that if she couldn't handle the pressure then she should stop showing up to class. I just assumed she was being sensitive about it and took my advice on not showing up anymore."
"Miss Berry someone seems to want us to think you were behind these murders, can you think of why?"
"Agents I'm just teaching the younger generation the art of ballet, I had nothing to do with the murders of those young girls and I don't have a clue on who would be trying to frame me."
Crystal and Hotch shared a look, he sighed as he looked back over at Miss Berry. "That's all the questions we have for now, if you think of anyone please contact us." They both turned towards the door and started heading down the hallway, Hotch looked over at Crystal. "She didn't commit the murders."
"No she didn't, but that doesn't mean she's not a terrible person. Hitting children? To become better?"
"I'll make sure that she's charged with abuse and they'll stick."
"Oh? How will you do that?" Crystal saw him smile a bit, "I use to be a prosecutor, I can recharge her with all 4 of those accusations and make them stick."
"You're full of surprises aren't you?"
"You have no idea." Crystal let out a small laugh, when they reached the front desk Nate was there. "Nate, do you mind if we ask you some questions?"
"Sure go ahead, is something wrong?"
"Have you heard about the murders that have happened?" Nate nodded, "Yeah it's terrible, my little sister used to dance. It's scary to think that it could've been her, I'm glad she's done now." Hotch nodded towards the computer, "Can you show us the tapes for last night and two nights ago?"
"Yeah sure." Nate pulled up the tapes and it checked out Miss Berry's story of staying here all night, they were back to square one. Crystal looked at Nate, "Does Miss Berry have any enemies? Maybe someone who's been trying to cause problems with her?"
"None that I can think of, she's a bit strict sure but nothing more."
"Did the police ever come down here for the accusations against her abusing the children in her class?"
"No, they were dropped so no one ever came."
"Miss Berry said she had reports of the incidents that happened? Do you mind grabbing them for us?"
"No not at all, hold on a second." Nate opened a cabinet file as he rummaged through some files, he pulled out 5 folders. "Here you are, hope these help." Hotch raised an eyebrow, "Can I ask why the police never came in with evidence like this?"
"The charges were dropped, when the 3rd one was dropped the police didn't take the claims seriously anymore. Miss Berry is a hero around here for people, she's a big shot." Crystal nodded as she picked up the files, "Well if you think of anyone who would try and frame Miss Berry please call the station."
"Sure will do, good luck."
When Crystal and Hotch went outside they saw the families picking up their children, Crystal went over to them. "Excuse me? We're with the FBI and we need to talk to the parents of Anastasia Reed and Jammie Ramirez." Two parents stepped forward with their daughters, they looked at her confused. "What does the FBI want with us?" Mrs. Ramirez looked at her suspiciously and Crystal just gave her a small smile, "Ma'am we have reason to believe that your daughter as well as Anastasia might be in danger, would it be okay if you came down to the station to answer some questions? An officer will be watching outside both your houses tonight as well for your safety."
Mr. Reed nodded hesitantly, "Is this about the other two girls? The one's who were murdered?" Hotch looked at him, "We can't confirm anything right now, but we want to take some precautions just in case." The families nodded and told them they would head to the station, they left to enter their cars.
Crystal and Hotch walked to the SUV and headed back to the station, when they got there he opened the door for her and they met up with the team while putting the files on the table. "Catherine Berry isn't a suspect, but she's a piece of work. She abuses those poor children for not being up to her standards, these are all the children she's 'disciplined'."
Morgan gave a disgusted look at the files, "And she's not our unsub?" Hotch shook his head, "Her alibi's solid, the real unsub wants us to think it's her." Hotch looked at Emily and Morgan, "The Reed's and Ramirez's should be here soon for some questioning, see if you can find out anything about Catherine Berry from them to see if she has any enemies." Emily and Morgan nodded before leaving the room.
Rossi tilted his head, "Well we went to go see the grandma. Apparently she didn't realize Abigail was missing because someone made her food and left medicine on the side table for her the two days Abigail wasn't."
Crystal looked at him shocked, "The unsub went to the house to take care of the grandma after he killed her?"
"Seems like it."
Crystal stood up and looked at the board, "What if the unsub isn't trying to frame her, but bring up what she's done to these children? Maybe the flowers are taunting Miss Berry, she's allergic to them after all."
JJ looked at her, "How would the unsub know it would lead us to Catherine Berry?"
"Well Miss Berry tells the children what's written on the notes when she 'disciplines' them, the unsub would have to know this to write it down. Apparently she's some sort of hero to the community, so maybe he wants to show everyone she's not the hero they think she is."
Reid stood up to walk over, "That makes sense, only four families tried to charge her for her abuse towards their children. None of them ever stuck, so maybe the unsub thought he could reveal her true character through these murders."
Rossi sighed, "The unsub killed two girls because this woman treating these children poorly, they must have some sort of connection to one of the victims."
Hotch nodded as he stood up, "We're ready to give the profile."
___
Author's Note:
Hey! This one's a bit long (sorry) and I know it's a bit confusing but I tried to make it harder to figure out who the killer is. Hopefully I get better at these lol thanks for your patience.
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