Chapter 333: Profile Complete

In front of Boyte, Hotchner bluntly admitted, "Our profile was incorrect. If the previous cases had any symbolic significance, like resentment towards the wealthy, this time there isn't any."

Emily agreed, adding, "This is just an ordinary fast-food restaurant. The customers are mostly blue-collar workers, and the victim was a restaurant server."

"So this isn't about class warfare. It's purely about power control and the release of violence—a group of extreme antisocial individuals."

Jack picked up a can on the ground. "They sat here drinking beer after killing people. This matches the previous cases. These thugs don't care if they get caught. I even suspect that wearing gloves is just a habit for them."

Reid commented, "It's like a group of outlaws storming into town, declaring that the only way to stop them is to eliminate them."

Boyte snorted, "Well, that's perfect because the Chicago PD never runs out of bullets."

"We need to keep a low profile, including controlling the media coverage of this case," Rossi suggested.

As the bodies were being covered again with white sheets, Erin Lindsay crossed the police line and joined the group.

"That's difficult. There are too many media outlets in Chicago, not to mention numerous news apps and private bloggers constantly monitoring current events."

Jack shook his head and explained Rossi's intention. "We need to control the level of coverage, not block the news. These antisocial thugs are always watching the news."

"Overreporting and hyping the topic will excite them and increase the frequency of their crimes. But if the news is completely blocked, and there's not a single word on TV, they'll become anxious and might plan a major event."

Hotchner signaled the group to leave, leaving the crime scene to the forensic team. "Let's go back and complete the profile, then gather the officers. Let JJ handle the media; she always does a great job with that."

Although they said they were going back to finish the profile, the group had already pieced together the suspect's psychological profile on the way back to the station.

Sergeant Trudy Platt, known for her sharp tongue, gathered all the on-duty and soon-to-be-on-night-shift officers of the 21st District. The police station's lobby was packed with people.

Naturally, Boyte and his intelligence team sat in the front row, while the rest were patrol officers. It was then that Jack realized that the slightly bug-eyed Kim Burgess was still just a patrol officer.

The first time they met, she was in plainclothes, probably called in from her day off. Jack had subconsciously assumed she was a detective. In fact, the intelligence unit wasn't entirely composed of detectives.

Because of the large number of people and prior preparation, only Rossi and Hotchner took the stage, while the others stood by, occasionally supplementing their statements.

"Essentially, these thugs believe they have been abandoned by society, feel aimless in life, and blame others for their situation. They're resentful. Their lives may be tough, but they're not destitute."

"These people are troublemakers. They pick fights at the slightest excuse."

"Unlike others who choose hobbies, video games, or even substance abuse to cope with loneliness, they vent their frustration through violence."

"Their crimes aren't motivated by money or lust; it's violence for the sake of violence. They blend in with the crowd, completely unremarkable, and don't stand out in society."

"But at least one thing is certain: they're physically large, at least muscular. We don't know how they came together, but the group dynamic amplifies their malicious intent."

"Like a contagious plague, their twisted nature influences each other. Perhaps uncovering how they congregate will help us find them."

"We believe they have some connection to this newly developed community. They're not concerned about exposing themselves. Maybe it's out of habit that they wore gloves during the crime."

"Half of the surrounding community is African American, but be aware that the perpetrators could be of any ethnicity. They might have gang affiliations. We need to thoroughly investigate nearby ordinary bars and lower-end restaurants to see if any group matches the description."

"They monitor the news, paying attention to media reports. They relive their crimes through details released via public channels."

"So, during inspections, keep a low profile. Don't reveal the police's stance. This could provoke the killers into more violent acts."

"Also, be mindful of your safety. The killers see themselves as marauders, viewing violence as power and respect. They have no empathy. They only feel alive when they instill fear and chaos."

"So, please, be extremely careful!"

As the officers dispersed, Detective Boyte swaggered over to Hotchner.

"So, what do you plan to do next?"

"We're going to hit the streets with them, observe those idle groups, and see if we can spot anyone who matches these traits," Hotchner replied matter-of-factly.

Boyte smirked and patted him on the shoulder. "I don't know why, but I'm starting to like you FBI folks, especially you, who seem to enjoy being all serious."

Hotchner put on his jacket, which had been draped over his arm, and returned a similarly stiff smile. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Emily couldn't help but make a face as if she couldn't bear to watch.

Boyte then called out to the others, "Come on, let's all grab a drink tonight. My treat."

Only Jack and Reid didn't even look up, their desks nearly buried in paperwork.

"You all go ahead. Reid and I will stay and review the previous case files. The disjointed feeling between the cases is unsettling. We're going to see if we missed anything and check in with Garcia."

Jack didn't have any issues with Boyte; this was a mutual decision with Reid. Everyone knew the killers were close to being caught, but given the increasing frequency of their crimes, identifying them sooner could save several victims.

Considering the brutal nature of the previous attacks, Jack genuinely felt that even bringing down these thugs a day or half a day earlier would be a blessing.

Yes, Jack had completely abandoned the idea of taking them alive. He not only saw the intent to kill in Boyte and his subordinates' eyes but also noticed that even Rossi and Hotchner's attitudes had shifted to viewing these guys as dead men walking.

He believed that even the thugs themselves didn't plan to end this alive. They didn't care about others' lives, and that included their own.

Tomorrow, I'd like to take a day off to organize my thoughts for the next plotline. The foreshadowing has been laid, and the challenge now is to merge two films into one. It's going to be tough.

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