Frank was the most prolific serial killer in history. Over the past thirty years, he had killed hundreds of people across state lines and dumped the remains in the wild. Most of the victims' bodies were hard to find, and there had never been two victims dumped in the same place at the same time. That was why Frank was so hard to find.
Bruce had read about Frank's case, and it had left a deep impression on him, mainly because the serial killer was still at large. BAU had once encountered Frank in a case and discovered this crazy murderer. Frank would take out the victim's right rib when he killed, which was one of his trademarks. But the case ended with Frank escaping — Frank had threatened dozens of children.
Frank lacked the feelings of a normal person. He was like a killing machine. He didn't blame himself for killing, had no compassion, and couldn't feel love.
Bruce recalled Frank's profile in the file and couldn't help but frown. What was worse was that when they learned that Frank had taken Gideon's notes, they would target the people Gideon had saved one by one. After killing Gideon's girlfriend, they were destroying Gideon's beliefs.
Frank's purpose for coming back was Jane, a woman who wasn't afraid of him and was infatuated with him. They lived together for a while, but Jane left him after an argument. He asked BAU to find Jane, and kidnapped a girl to threaten her.
Washington, DC, Union Station
They met Frank at Platform 11, and the police officers evacuated the civilians on the platform. Bruce sized up the serial killer for the first time.
Frank was no longer young. The wind blew his sparse hair. He sat on the long bench on the platform with a relaxed expression, even with a hint of leisure.
Bruce and Hotch walked forward. "Frank."
"Agent Hotcher, we haven't had a pleasant meeting yet." Frank turned his head and smiled. "Is this also your team member? Do I have the honor of knowing your name? "
It had to be said that it was hard to imagine that this was a serial killer just by looking at him. Frank appeared polite and even elegant. Of course, when he smiled and said in a light tone, "That girl is still in my hands. I think I still have a little bit of power. I just want to have a casual chat." That exposed his true colors.
"My name is Bruce Jones. I do belong to BAU." Bruce smiled politely.
"I like to study names. The name Bruce comes from France. It means a forest. Did your parents give you this name because of their expectations?" Frank asked with great interest.
"Maybe, but I'm not sure." Bruce looked at him, guarding against him taking out a weapon and hurting people at any time. The surrounding police officers with guns showed that this serial killer should have lost his way, but he was still calm and composed.
"It's such a pity that I can't meet you until now," Frank said. "You're different from them." He looked at Hotch, who was beside Bruce, and then shifted his gaze to Morgan, who had his gun raised. "It's completely different."
Bruce was confused.
"BAU is really a magical department. You guys analyze the behavior of criminals and understand them," Frank said to Hotch. Then he smiled and turned to Bruce. "And now, I can actually meet someone of the same kind."
Hearing Frank's words, Bruce felt a little tired. After all, Hotch and Gideon had been paying attention to him. He only became a permanent member after six months of probation. He quickly denied it. "I think we're just meeting for the first time. It's nonsense to say that we're of the same kind."
"Some people, at first glance, you can tell what kind of person they are." Frank pointed around. "These people hate what I've done. Their expressions can tell. But you, you don't care. I'm just an insignificant person to you. You're only standing here because this is your job. Even if you know what I've done, if you meet me in another place, you'll pretend that you didn't see me at all."
Bruce was expressionless. "You think so?"
"You have no compassion. You can't feel the emotions of a normal person. That's what Gideon said about me. It's true. Are you like that too, Mr. Jones? "Frank looked at him seriously.
"No, we're different. Unlike you, I don't need to find the meaning of survival in the midst of slaughter and fear. I also won't hold onto a person and not let go just because she isn't afraid of you, just like your mother. "Bruce's voice was a little careless with a hint of mockery.
Frank's hand clenched the armrest of the chair. He nodded. "It seems that you do know me very well, my kind. But for people like us, when everything is meaningless to you, you want to hold onto the person who's different to you. You have that person too, don't you? That's why you stay here. "He smiled again." I know you, just like you know me. "
Bruce was disgusted by Frank's words, but he didn't bother to refute it. But what was his reason for staying here?
This wasn't an easy job. Even if the cases didn't have any emotional impact on him, the frequent overtime and the unstable holidays didn't match the mentality he had when he opened the dessert shop.
Even Bruce himself found it a little strange. Even if he was interested in profiling and BAU back then, could it be that this interest was enough to drive him to study hard for two to three years, and then take on this job that required a lot of mental and physical strength? He knew that he wasn't such a person. It obviously didn't make sense.
Suddenly, Bruce saw Hotch beside him. The man was staring at Frank with a serious expression, in case Frank did anything dangerous.
Almost all the time he spent with Hotch, Hotch always had this serious expression on his face. However, he was undoubtedly a capable and responsible team leader. Brosnan also clearly remembered the coldness in his dark eyes when he looked at the murderer, the sympathy he had for the victims, the concern he had for his team members, and the tenderness that flashed through his eyes when he saw the photos of his family.
Perhaps at first, it was the kindness of the coat in the snow that touched him, but Hotch was indeed different to him. At that time, although Bruce was satisfied with his life without being threatened by the space, after living in the small town for two years, he felt a little confused. Was this really what he wanted? Perhaps it was peaceful enough, but it was so boring. He even often recalled the thrilling past in the space forged by blood and fire.
If it weren't for the forced space missions and the high mortality rate of the battlefield missions, the space of reincarnation would be a good place. At that time, Bruce suddenly realized that he had such thoughts. He even panicked for a moment. If that was the case, why did he spend so much effort to improve his evaluation and finally use the exploration mission to leave the space?
No, no, no, it must be an illusion caused by his peaceful life. He still remembered the fear in his heart every time he brushed shoulders with death. He certainly didn't want to go back to that kind of life where he struggled for life.
Therefore, he was just a little too bored, and even had the impulse to do something.
It was at that time that the case in the small town appeared, and by a freak combination of factors, he came into contact with BAU. He suddenly wanted to join because he felt that his current life was boring, and hunting down serial killers was probably more exciting. Of course, there was also some curiosity and interest in BAU.
But after he really joined, it was no longer just a spur of the moment. He saw that these cases eroded the group members, and the evil in human nature shown by the serial killers. The disappearance of so many innocent lives was not only a kind of harm to the victims and their relatives, but also to the group members. What was even more despairing was that they hunted down serial killers one after another, but there was always a new one. They were just walking on this endless road.
Bruce stayed. He wanted to know how long these people could hold on, and whether their beliefs would be swallowed by the darkness one day. Bruce looked at Hotch. Would his determined eyes be stained with sadness, confusion, or even despair one day?
He did care about Hotch. Hotch was different to him.
At that time, would Hotch still remember what he said to him, "Watch it, stop it, and defeat it?"
It was interesting to think about it.
For Bruce, the reincarnation space was a shadow he constantly struggled to overcome, but in the end, he couldn't maintain a strong fighting mentality. He chose to escape because he was afraid of death that would come at any time. But what would happen to these people? Would they be able to fight forever?
"Maybe you're right, but after you hurt someone I know, you're no longer an insignificant person. You have to pay the price," Bruce said with a strange expression.
"Is that so?" Frank nodded, then ignored Bruce. "Now, where is my Jane?"
When Frank tried to use the safety of the girl he kidnapped in exchange for his and Jane's safe departure, Gideon came. They analyzed the location where Frank hid the girl, and Frank could no longer threaten them. In the end, Frank and Jane jumped off the track, and the train roared past.
【.....
At work, I was afraid of losing the ability to trust, but I realized that unless I die, I can't make the final conclusion about a person. It's terrible to stop believing in human nature, and it's worse to stop believing in a happy ending.
.....
I always knew that I was clear about my position, my direction, and my pursuit. Profiling requires faith, believe in profiling, and believe in yourself. After Sarah's death, I no longer trusted myself at home. After Tubbs, I no longer trusted myself at work. After losing these, I have nothing.
.....
Bruce, you're different from me. You're not affected by these things, so you don't have to worry about it. But I hope you can remember the reason why you came here. Remind yourself again and again not to stray too far away from it, and not to lose yourself.]
Frank's matter was over, but Gideon chose to leave. This letter was left for Bruce after Gideon left without saying goodbye.
With one gone, Bruce's lips curled into a sad and mocking smile. Bruce folded the letter and put it back into the envelope, then put it back in the bookcase.
But there were some things that wouldn't comfort him even if he knew that others had made the same choice.
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