Three bodies, each with feet bound by electrical wires to cement blocks to prevent them from surfacing—this was undeniably the work of a serial killer. It was no wonder Danny had blurted out at the airport about recalling the BAU.
"What's the cause of death?" Hannah asked.
The CSI team had already begun preliminary examinations under the supervision of Mac Taylor, though the medical examiner, Hammerback, rarely left the lab.
"Initial findings suggest strangulation," Mac said as he handed off an evidence bag to a subordinate. "There's a significant possibility of sexual assault, but the bodies have been underwater for too long. Don't expect DNA evidence. The most recent victim died approximately 9 to 10 days ago—right before you guys blew up Sheep Meadow."
"Because the lake's temperature is cooler than the surrounding environment?" Jack asked, reflecting on his earlier misjudgment of the time of death.
"Central Park has its own microclimate," Mac explained. "At night, it's significantly cooler than the urban surroundings."
Before Mac could elaborate further, Danny trudged over, notebook in hand, crunching through fallen leaves and uneven ground. "It seems the explosion might have been the reason one of the bodies surfaced. The commotion loosened the wire binding the feet of one victim. As the body decomposed, it floated to the surface, where a worker clearing fallen trees discovered it."
He added, "The tattoo on one of the corpses matches a missing person's report: Beatriz Santos from Connecticut. Since this crosses state lines, it's your case now. NYPD will assist."
Jack smirked. "Glad to see you've regained your enthusiasm for working as the FBI's liaison."
Meanwhile, Kate Joyner, still hospitalized, had submitted her resignation to Dana Moje, planning to return to England to recover. Jack wondered if Hotchner's presence had influenced her decision. Gossipers speculated she might be leaving out of heartbreak—mainly the women, who believed in the romantic tragedy of it all.
An inconclusive video clip had been scrutinized repeatedly, confirming that Hotchner had only kissed her on the forehead. To some, this failed to meet their lofty expectations of a dramatic love story. After all, movies like Titanic and The Bridges of Madison County had set the bar for such moments.
As the women lamented the missed opportunity for romance, the men steadfastly supported Hotchner, valuing family responsibility over fleeting romantic notions. Even Rossi, a man with multiple divorces, voiced his agreement, emphasizing the sanctity of marital commitment.
For Dana Moje, the situation was more of a logistical headache—she now needed to find a replacement for Jubal's previous deputy, Joyner.
Back at the lake, Danny shrugged and said, "Joyner was right. I even apologized to her when I visited the hospital."
"Sorry to hear about your partner," Jack quipped, remembering the countless times he'd mediated their arguments, much to his frustration.
Turning to Aubrey, who was still retching nearby, Jack instructed, "You stay here and coordinate with Detective Reagan. Organize the evidence and send it back to HQ. We'll go debrief Jubal."
Aubrey waved weakly in acknowledgment, too nauseated to speak.
At the operations center, Jubal was already briefing analysts and technicians. "The FBI defines serial murder as the killing of two or more victims by the same offender(s) at different times or locations."
Noticing Jack and the others enter, Jubal waved casually. "Didn't call back that fancy Gulfstream, I see?"
Two simultaneous eye-rolls from Hannah and Jessica were all the response he got.
"They figured leaving two of us behind was enough," Jack joked. His smile faded when he spotted a familiar but unexpected face beside Jubal.
"Let me introduce Isobel Castille," Jubal said. "She's been transferred from Washington to replace Joyner.
"Isobel, meet Agent Jack Tavoler, Agent Hannah Stephens, and Agent Jennifer Zhang."
Isobel, a striking brunette with high cheekbones, nodded politely. Her sharp makeup lent her an air of professional authority, though it also made her appear slightly older and more rigid than necessary.
Jack's mind drifted. He recognized the actress who played this woman in another life—as a detective in Forever, a short-lived but beloved show about a 200-year-old medical examiner. Jack couldn't resist the urge to ask if Isobel knew anyone with an English accent and a penchant for dying repeatedly.
Snapping back to reality, Jack focused on Jubal's debrief.
"Okay, even without the BAU, I think we can handle one serial killer," Jubal said. "We've already identified the other two victims using dental records."
He clicked a remote, and the victims' photos and profiles appeared on the large screen.
"Our first victim is Beatriz Santos, 28, married. She was reported missing by her husband 10 days ago. CSI estimates she was killed shortly after her abduction."
Jubal's expression grew somber as he continued, "CSI suspects she may have been assaulted before her death. The second victim, Mona Kolber, 29, also married, was reported missing five weeks ago. The third victim, Diane Carlisle, 26, married, disappeared eleven weeks ago. All were strangled, but due to decomposition, we can't confirm if Kolber and Carlisle were assaulted."
"Should we assume the other two victims were also sexually assaulted?" Isobel asked, her gaze fixed on the screen.
"Absolutely," Jack said without hesitation. While the victims varied in facial features, hair color, and eye color, they shared one key trait: youth and beauty.
Jubal grimly addressed the team. "Let's hope we can solve this case before the media slaps a nickname like 'The Housewives Killer' on him. CSI is still processing the scene, but we need surveillance footage from all park entrances and exits near the lake."
He turned toward the IT department. "I know this is a monumental task, but I'll assign enough personnel to help. NYPD will also provide support."
With that, Jubal began pointing out specific technicians, delegating responsibilities. The team braced for another long night of sifting through footage, hoping to identify their killer before he struck again.
(End of Chapter)
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