Warmanjuary – Day 12: The Challenge
Fandom: Criminal Minds
Pairing / Character(s): Aaron Hotchner, original female character
Reader: no reader insert
Rating: Mature
Tone: Procedural / Character Study
➤ Part of the Warmanjuary January fic action
➤ Theme: Stoking the fire (warming up January)
➤ Full masterlist
Warnings: image-based sexual abuse (non-consensual sharing of intimate images), references to murder, coercive interrogation pressure, legal and investigative themes
11th of January, 2:23 pm
A man knocks on an office door. He is an average guy—ordinary face, about 5’2. His work clothes are cheap polyester. They consist of black pants with a blue T-shirt and a baseball cap reading: “Rick’s mobiles”.
“Yes.”
He opens the door and steps into the small office. The room is dominated by a large picture of a winter landscape with mountains and a lake. All furniture is dark wood and practical rather than stylish.
The woman in the pantsuit behind the desk looks at the man, “How may I help you?”
“You’re a defense attorney, right?”
“That is correct. Do you require my services, Mr. ...?”
“Porter. I feel like I do. The FBI showed up at my work today. Asked everyone questions. Made my boss real unhappy, when they said someone at our shop had posted nudes of clients.” He takes a breath and adds. “And that some of them are dead now, killed.”
She folds her hands on the desk, “So, you want me to assess the situation for you, or...?”
“I need you to explain to these FBI guys that I didn’t kill anyone. I never saw those women again after they left the shop,” he states nervously.
“Well, I can evaluate with you: What the FBI can legally do in this case. If you are a suspect. And if so, what options you have going forward,” she says, counting the points off with her fingers.
“First, we need to agree on an hourly rate, you sign a retainer and pay a deposit,” with this the Counselor reaches in to the desk drawer.
12th of January, 9:15 am
“I am here on behalf of my client: Mr. Porter,” the defense attorney hands her business card to the officer manning the counter at the precinct. She is carrying a black leather briefcase and wearing a loose-fitting pantsuit in dark grey.
“Yes, SSA Hotchner is expecting you, Counselor. Please follow me,” the officer says and leads the way to the interrogation room.
He stops in front of the half-open door to the observation room and knocks.
A tall man in a black suit with a white shirt and a burgundy tie steps forward.
The officer introduces the two, “Counselor this SSA Aaron Hotchner. SSA Hotchner this is Mr. Porter’s Counselor,” with that he leaves.
SSA Hotchner nods, “If you would follow me Counselor.” He walks to the door of the interrogation room, opens it and walks into the room.
She follows after him. As usual there is only a table with four chairs in the room. Mr. Porter sits in the one furthest from the door a glass of water in front of him. The defense attorney sits down beside her client.
The FBI Agent takes the seat closest to the door, opposite her. The door is closed by someone outside.
“Mr. Porter, your counsel is now present, let’s try this again. Where were you on the night of January 10th from 10:00 pm to 11:42 pm?”
Porter looks to his attorney—she gives a short nod; hands folded on the table. “I was at home—alone—sleeping.”
“And the night of December 10th last year between 9:00 pm and midnight?”
“I don’t recall. That was over a month ago.”
“You’re sure about that?” the Agent presses.
“He already answered your question SSA Hotchner,” the Counselor cuts in, voice flat.
“What about the night of October 21st between 8:30 pm and 11:00 pm—do you recall your whereabouts for that night?”
“No, I do not.”
“So, for all three nights where a woman was murdered you have no alibi. And you posted their nudes before they were killed. To expose and humiliate them. It is all part of your buildup.”
Porter opens his mouth.
But it is his attorney, who states, “My client being unable to present an alibi does not prove his involvement with these murders.”
“Not necessarily, but the upload of the nudes strongly suggests it. This is consistent with typical criminal behaviour in such cases,” SSA Hotchner replies.
“Just because it is typical, does not mean it applies here. Can you even prove that it was Mr. Porter, who posted these images?”
“Yes, we can. All uploads were done during his shifts, using his credentials. On two occasions no other employees were in the shop,” the agent leans forward at the second sentence, looking straight at Porter.
Porter sighs. His Counsel has barely moved during the exchange. Her voice remaining flat; her hands still folded on the table.
“So, the state police are arresting my client on image-based sexual abuse, only?”
“Yes, that’s correct. And in the meantime, we will work on proving that your client is responsible for the murders,” SSA Hotchner nods.
“We will see each other at the bail hearing then. As for proving Mr. Porter guilty of murder, that’s not going to happen.”
“Bail hearing?”, Porter looks nervous.
“Yes, there will be a bail hearing—as soon as the prosecutor presses charges. Without pressing charges, they could only detain you for 48 hours,” she explains and stands up. She shoots SSA Hotchner a look, “I would like to speak with my client in private now.”
The agent leaves the interrogation room. She turns to her client, “Why did you upload those pictures?”
“For the money,” he shrugs his shoulder. “It’s not like I hurt anyone with in. They’re just photos.”
“Mr. Porter, those were not JUST photos. Those were nudes. You were selling these women out. Showing to the world what they only show their partners. Ans that is a crime in this state.” her hands remain folded, but her lips are pressed together.
“So, what now? You’re dropping me as a client?”
“Personally, I would love to. But I can not afford it professionally. I have to see you through this or getting new clients will be way more difficult,” she takes a deep breath. “So, I need to know exactly how you got the files. Did someone else have access to them?”
“A... friend help me get them of the phones,” he admits.
His attorney nods, “Well then you are aware, that this friend killed those women? And has set you up to take the fall for his murders?”
“How?”
“Because he knew you were posting the photos. He could count on law enforcement coming after you, since he did not have any visible connection to these women.”
“Damn. So, what now?”
“Now, we set you up for the best possible outcome. First you will write down a confession, include the names of all women and all sites. Then you will help the FBI to catch your “friend”,” she explains.
SSA Hotchner meets the Counselor in the observation room, “You wanted to talk to me?”
She nods, “I have a proposal for you. My client will confess to the image-based sexual abuse in fully. Then he will make a phone call to the killer, pressuring him to betray himself.”
“You’re saying your client is innocent. But he knows who the unsub is?”
“My client is innocent of murder. And he knows who else had access to the files.”
“We’ll see. I will talk to the prosecutor about your proposal. Let’s meet back here in two hours.”
12th of January, 12:25 pm
The Counselor returns to the interrogation room with a take-out bag beside her briefcase. SSA Hotchner is waiting for her.
“I am surprised you talked your client into giving his partner up.”
She puts the food out, responding, “He is not the killer, nor was he complicit. So, giving up the man—who set him up as a fall guy—is his best remaining choice.”
Porter is escorted into the room. He looks at the food, then at his counsel.
“Go ahead and eat. I’ll go over your confession with SSA Hotchner,” with that she hands the Agent a sack of papers.
He reads them through, “So, Porter gave Miller access to the phones. Miller extracted the files and handed copies of them to Porter. Who posted them.”
“Correct. Miller still had the original files with the metadata, including timestamps and GPS data. With these Miller located the women,” the attorney explains.
“If that is true and your client can get Miller on the phone; I will make a recommendation to the prosecutor.”
She turns, to her client, “The FBI will set everything up for the call. You will do what they tell you—just as we discussed.”
13th of January, 5:11 pm
Hotch and the Counselor stand together in the observation room, looking at Miller.
“All that damage, and he turns out to be a coward,” the attorney says.
“Serial killers are seldom what people expect them to be. Without you our job would’ve been more difficult,” Hotch acknowledges.
“So, you’re inviting me for a drink as a thank you?”
“We’ll see.”
Credits:
Dividers by @lobster-graphics
➤ Previos: Day 11 🤍😂Found Trouble
➤ Next: Day 13🤍☕Behave
