Lead the Way - Chapter 066 - 4x15 - Zoe's Reprise
Here's to hoping this time it will actually work. Anyway, here's the post you should've been able to read yesterday. I apologize for LJ being bitchy, guys. I really do!
You know how I sometimes rant before I post a new chapter? Well, I found a new home for them. I started a blog.
Syccas actually told me to start one ages ago. The very first entries here were supposed to be a writer's blog. I tried again with a place where I would review the stories I read or saw. Both attempts failed miserably. I just can't figure out why anyone would be interested in this. Why do people take pictures of their break fast and put it up on Facebook? Do people actually think they are so fascinating the entire world needs to be kept in the loop of what friend slept with what guy in what bar at what time? But then somehow they seem to know that the people reading this crap are actually the people this blog is talking about so she needs code.
And exactely how boring must your life be that you're following a blog on your own sexcapades? Too many drugs to keep track of them in your head?
These and many more questions are raised on my blog. Because that's why I blog. I don't blog to tell you shit you don't want to know. I blog so you can tell me shit I want to know :)
And I know, I know, you came here for the newest chapter and fear not, here it is:
Zoe's Reprise was the 15th episode of season 4. It aired February 18th, 2009 and was written by Oanh Ly. She's the one who came up with Catching Out and Amplification too.
Lead the Way - 066 - 4x15 - Zoe's Reprise
Cleveland, Ohio
The next day JJ felt guilty for shutting Garcia down so completely. She had meant well and she was a romantic, she believed in love and all those fairy tales. JJ couldn’t get back on what she had said but she wanted to make it up to her. So she brought pictures of Henry wearing the leather jacket she got her for Christmas last year. Hotch had been right, he had grown into it faster than she liked.
While they were going through the album, Morgan joined them.
“This is Henry wearing the booties my Mom knitted him.”
“I can’t get over his cuteness.” By the sound of her voice, Garcia had forgiven her. JJ smiled and turned the page.
“Oh and this is him wearing the customized leather jacket Auntie Penelope got him.” He was so adorable. She remembered the time that picture was taken. No. It was best not to think of Emily right now.
“When he grows up he’s going to be a rebel.” Her best friend’s imagination was running on over drive again. They were interrupted by the phone ringing.
“Is this David Rossi, the famous best selling author, David Rossi?”
“What are you doing? You’re not supposed to be calling when you’re on annual leave.” Morgan said.
“I think my AL just ended.”
“What do you mean?”
“Garcia, Cleveland police is sending you some files, get JJ to distribute them to the team right away.”
“Yeah.”
“What are we looking at?”
“I don’t know yet. Just see if the team can find a connection with these crimes. I’ll call you back in a few hours.”
“Yes Sir.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The only thing linking the crimes from the files Rossi had sent them was the seven mile radius that included all crime scenes. COD, victimology, murder weapon - it was like the Unsub couldn’t make up his mind. When the team saw the crime scene photos they reached an unsettling conclusion.
He was a serial killer, studying serial killers. His first kill resembled those of the Butcher of Kingsbury Run, then he copied Jack the Ripper, the Son of Sam and BTK. The only murder that didn’t fit in was that of Zoe, a fan of Rossi’s who had been killed at an old crime scene. It was time to fly to Cleveland.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As soon as the team arrived at the police station everyone got to work. Somehow that led to Emily darting off at the speed of light. Before she could follow her, JJ was stopped by Rossi with an odd request. He explained why he wanted her to pay for Zoe’s funeral for him and she accepted.
She could have argued with him and told him that he had nothing to do with his fan getting killed but she was exhausted and not in the mood for a pep talk. Besides, he would never accept the truth from her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Emily explained their theory to the lead detective. This unsub might just prove to be unpredictable and interesting enough to keep her mind busy. Many people liked to get engrossed in work after a difficult break up. Just because hers involved maimed bodies… she was merely doing her job, who cared if she was a little zealous?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
JJ had had Garcia check all students enrolled in criminology classes. None of them were a good lead and Hotch asked her to get back to the ones studying online. She gladly accepted any task that would allow her to avoid listening to the team give the preliminary profile.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Unsub was clearly local, obsessed with serial killers and most likely killed Zoe when he revisited the crime scene to relive his crimes. She had been a victim of opportunity. The only way to catch him was through his signature.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Paula McConnell was no cub reporter. As soon as her assistant told her that a profiler and the press liaison of the BAU were here to see her, she knew there had to be a serial killer in Cleveland. She told Bruce to let them in and within seconds had come to two conclusions. The man was one of those who fancied himself a ladies’ man. A notorious skirt chaser, ambitious and one of those who would look down on a dyke like her. She immediately disliked him.
The other conclusion was that the woman was pretty. She would make for a nice change of pace. Hard to read though. Instead of a welcome she said:
“I knew homicides were up, but nobody said anything about a serial killer. Why do I get a visit from the BAU?”
“You’re Paula McConnell. Cleveland’s number one source in crime news; you’re detailed, you have a following… he’s reading you,” JJ said.
“We need you to write that the police have found his signature.”
“You can help us by explaning what a signature is in your article,” the media liaison outlined for her.
“It’s a killer’s personal stamp. His distinctive touch that he leaves at the scene of every crime.”
“Why, I’ve been doing this for eighteen years, I know what a signature is, Honey.” Obviously Paula had been right about him.
“Oh, we just need you to be really detailed about this; we’re speaking directly to him.”
The journalist looked at JJ, concluding that she was clearly fresh out of something. A relationship maybe, the closet. Either way, she was in desperate need of comfort.
“Through my column?”
“He’s doing something, a behavioral impulse he feels compelled to do. But a need driven act to get a sexual release that’s specific to his psyche.”
“This repetitive behavior at each crime scene will lead us to him.”
“Let me take a stab at it.”
JJ’s phone rang and she picked up saying:
“Yeah Reid..” To Rossi she said: “They just found another body.”
Paula picked up the phone to call Bruce. She would have to make some last minute changes to her column. Agent Rossi left the room as soon as he heard about the newest victim while Agent Jareau lingered behind. She gave McConnell her card and said:
“Call me if you need more details.”
“Oh I’ll call alright.” JJ did not like the smile she saw on the other woman.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Somehow Mrs. Hawkes had found out about Rossi’s act of repentance. JJ couldn’t do anything but stand by while she told him what she thought of his generosity. To make matters worse they had found yet another victim.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prentiss shared with Morgan and Rossi her theory that the Unsub may have defined himself as a strangler. This new found knowledge of his pathology might explain the third body in three days.
The last one had been a homeless woman and her forehead had been disinfected. JJ had just gotten the news from the coroner’s office and once again made a point of not looking at her ex-lover when she informed Rossi, Prentiss and Morgan.
Emily concluded that whatever he did to her forehead before sterilizing it might be part of his signature. She looked past JJ while saying it and the blonde shook her head. This didn’t help. The evidence on the last body had been washed away in the water. And the other bodies had been buried or cremated. Except for one.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zoe had saliva on her forehead from a sexual predator named Eric Ryan Olson. He was born in Cleveland and had even taken classes in criminology while incarcerated. This was their guy and Garcia got them a search warrant based on the evidence.
Olson wasn’t home but Reid noticed that he had put Al’s Alehouse in his schedule for tonight. Prentiss and Morgan were closest to the park Linda the waitress cut through on her way home. Olson had left the pub shortly after her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The profilers saw two people in the grass and immediately pulled the man of the woman. When Linda shouted:
“That’s my boyfriend” The colleagues looked dumbfounded at each other.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Back at the station the team separated Eric from Linda. Prentiss would interview the girlfriend while Rossi would try to keep Eric talking. JJ stood outside and watched both interrogations along with Reid, Morgan and Hotch.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“He can’t be this guy.”
“We found his DNA on a murder victim.”
Unsuspecting girlfriends or wives were all but uncommon in her line of work. At first they tried to deny the obvious, but when confronted with the overwhelming evidence they usually saw the light. It had been a long day and Emily was tired. She knew that Linda Jones knew next to nothing about Eric, she had met him online six weeks ago.
“What?”
“We also think he is responsible for the murder of seven other people over the last seven weeks.” Even if she wanted to, there was no way to sugar coat it. “Two of his victims were raped.” She would find out eventually.
“I think I’m gonna be sick.”
Emily got up and got the paper basket for her just in time.
Once she had stopped throwing up, Prentiss gave her a tissue and continued the interview.
“I need to ask you about your sexlife.” There really wasn’t much else she was interested in so she cut right down to the chase.
“That’s… That’s personal.” ‘Oh please!’
“Your boyfriend’s a serial killer. Your relationship is no longer private.”
“It’s completely normal to experiment with sex.” Interesting how people got defensive before she had even accused them of anything.
“Okay, it might be normal to have sex in a public park, but the other things?”
“We were just role playing. Every couple has fantasies.” And the Ambassador’s daughter certainly was no stranger to that concept.
“Did you ever think it was strange that your boyfriend has fantasies about raping and strangling women?” There had to be a line somewhere, for crying out loud.
“Not women! Just me.” ‘Well okay then! As long as he just fantazises about killing the one he supposedly loves, we can all go home. No danger to speak of…’
“Did he kiss you on the forehead too?”
“How did you know that?”
She neglected to answer that question and asked instead:
“Did he have any other strange preferences in bed?”
“No.”
“Did he ever role play by tying you up?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” Her voice was strong. Much shakier she added: “I’m sure.” Emily leaned back and nodded as if this answer told her more than Linda had intended to reveal.
“He liked being exhibitionist.” And her reward followed immediately. Linda told her what was most important to the investigation. “It was really the only way he’d get excited.”
“What do you mean?” Prentiss’ voice was casual, as if they were discussing the latest movie, when in reality she couldn’t wait for the answer.
“Well, he didn’t like having sex in bed. So he just took me to public places.”
“Where?”
“Do I have to tell you this?”
Annoyed, Emily nodded and said much firmer: “Please.”
“Okay.” Linda took a second to think and said: “The first time was at Kingsbury Park. And then, at a movie theater, in the parking lot, in my car.”
“Did he ever take you to the second street bridge, off the bike path?”
“Yeah.” Linda leaned back, appalled. It started to dawn on her, that Eric was in fact who these agents thought he was. Emily had taken the address from the crime report on the jogger, they had found in the river.
Hotch walked in, placed a notepad and pen on the table and said with authority:
“I need you to write down for me all the places he took you to have sex.” Linda did not argue and the profilers learned that Eric Ryan Olson was responsible for twelve murders. Four of them unsuspected by Zoe Hawkes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning the team was wrapping up the case and getting ready to fly back home. Walking out of the police station JJ overheard Rossi canceling the rest of his book tour. She felt that he was finally ready for that pep talk she owed him.
“Why do people want to hear me talk about serial killers? Is it that entertaining?”
“There’s a public fascination with them.”
“Sometimes I wonder if my books are doing more harm than good.”
“My senior year at Georgetown… I was graduating, I did not have a clue what I was going to do with my life…” JJ remembered it very well. Communications hadn’t turned out to be what she had expected. It had been more about obfuscating and deflecting rather than sharing and connecting. Something she had wanted to do ever since the last day she had seen Lindsay. “And one day I was in the campus book store and you were there. Promoting your second book? I sat through your whole talk.” She smiled at him with the memory of the past in her eyes.
“You never told me.”
“I asked you what you were most proud of and you showed us a picture of a boy from Charleston.”
Rossi nodded. “Brad Roberts. A neighbor took him.”
“He was found alive. One of the few. That night I bought your book. Applied to the academy the next fall.”
It was the best gift she could give him. As he understood all she told him with her words and her silence, he smiled at her.
“I’ll see you at the airport.”
Edit: OLE OLE OLE IT WORKED :)
You know how I sometimes rant before I post a new chapter? Well, I found a new home for them. I started a blog.
Syccas actually told me to start one ages ago. The very first entries here were supposed to be a writer's blog. I tried again with a place where I would review the stories I read or saw. Both attempts failed miserably. I just can't figure out why anyone would be interested in this. Why do people take pictures of their break fast and put it up on Facebook? Do people actually think they are so fascinating the entire world needs to be kept in the loop of what friend slept with what guy in what bar at what time? But then somehow they seem to know that the people reading this crap are actually the people this blog is talking about so she needs code.
And exactely how boring must your life be that you're following a blog on your own sexcapades? Too many drugs to keep track of them in your head?
These and many more questions are raised on my blog. Because that's why I blog. I don't blog to tell you shit you don't want to know. I blog so you can tell me shit I want to know :)
And I know, I know, you came here for the newest chapter and fear not, here it is:
Zoe's Reprise was the 15th episode of season 4. It aired February 18th, 2009 and was written by Oanh Ly. She's the one who came up with Catching Out and Amplification too.
Lead the Way - 066 - 4x15 - Zoe's Reprise
Cleveland, Ohio
The next day JJ felt guilty for shutting Garcia down so completely. She had meant well and she was a romantic, she believed in love and all those fairy tales. JJ couldn’t get back on what she had said but she wanted to make it up to her. So she brought pictures of Henry wearing the leather jacket she got her for Christmas last year. Hotch had been right, he had grown into it faster than she liked.
While they were going through the album, Morgan joined them.
“This is Henry wearing the booties my Mom knitted him.”
“I can’t get over his cuteness.” By the sound of her voice, Garcia had forgiven her. JJ smiled and turned the page.
“Oh and this is him wearing the customized leather jacket Auntie Penelope got him.” He was so adorable. She remembered the time that picture was taken. No. It was best not to think of Emily right now.
“When he grows up he’s going to be a rebel.” Her best friend’s imagination was running on over drive again. They were interrupted by the phone ringing.
“Is this David Rossi, the famous best selling author, David Rossi?”
“What are you doing? You’re not supposed to be calling when you’re on annual leave.” Morgan said.
“I think my AL just ended.”
“What do you mean?”
“Garcia, Cleveland police is sending you some files, get JJ to distribute them to the team right away.”
“Yeah.”
“What are we looking at?”
“I don’t know yet. Just see if the team can find a connection with these crimes. I’ll call you back in a few hours.”
“Yes Sir.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The only thing linking the crimes from the files Rossi had sent them was the seven mile radius that included all crime scenes. COD, victimology, murder weapon - it was like the Unsub couldn’t make up his mind. When the team saw the crime scene photos they reached an unsettling conclusion.
He was a serial killer, studying serial killers. His first kill resembled those of the Butcher of Kingsbury Run, then he copied Jack the Ripper, the Son of Sam and BTK. The only murder that didn’t fit in was that of Zoe, a fan of Rossi’s who had been killed at an old crime scene. It was time to fly to Cleveland.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As soon as the team arrived at the police station everyone got to work. Somehow that led to Emily darting off at the speed of light. Before she could follow her, JJ was stopped by Rossi with an odd request. He explained why he wanted her to pay for Zoe’s funeral for him and she accepted.
She could have argued with him and told him that he had nothing to do with his fan getting killed but she was exhausted and not in the mood for a pep talk. Besides, he would never accept the truth from her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Emily explained their theory to the lead detective. This unsub might just prove to be unpredictable and interesting enough to keep her mind busy. Many people liked to get engrossed in work after a difficult break up. Just because hers involved maimed bodies… she was merely doing her job, who cared if she was a little zealous?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
JJ had had Garcia check all students enrolled in criminology classes. None of them were a good lead and Hotch asked her to get back to the ones studying online. She gladly accepted any task that would allow her to avoid listening to the team give the preliminary profile.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Unsub was clearly local, obsessed with serial killers and most likely killed Zoe when he revisited the crime scene to relive his crimes. She had been a victim of opportunity. The only way to catch him was through his signature.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Paula McConnell was no cub reporter. As soon as her assistant told her that a profiler and the press liaison of the BAU were here to see her, she knew there had to be a serial killer in Cleveland. She told Bruce to let them in and within seconds had come to two conclusions. The man was one of those who fancied himself a ladies’ man. A notorious skirt chaser, ambitious and one of those who would look down on a dyke like her. She immediately disliked him.
The other conclusion was that the woman was pretty. She would make for a nice change of pace. Hard to read though. Instead of a welcome she said:
“I knew homicides were up, but nobody said anything about a serial killer. Why do I get a visit from the BAU?”
“You’re Paula McConnell. Cleveland’s number one source in crime news; you’re detailed, you have a following… he’s reading you,” JJ said.
“We need you to write that the police have found his signature.”
“You can help us by explaning what a signature is in your article,” the media liaison outlined for her.
“It’s a killer’s personal stamp. His distinctive touch that he leaves at the scene of every crime.”
“Why, I’ve been doing this for eighteen years, I know what a signature is, Honey.” Obviously Paula had been right about him.
“Oh, we just need you to be really detailed about this; we’re speaking directly to him.”
The journalist looked at JJ, concluding that she was clearly fresh out of something. A relationship maybe, the closet. Either way, she was in desperate need of comfort.
“Through my column?”
“He’s doing something, a behavioral impulse he feels compelled to do. But a need driven act to get a sexual release that’s specific to his psyche.”
“This repetitive behavior at each crime scene will lead us to him.”
“Let me take a stab at it.”
JJ’s phone rang and she picked up saying:
“Yeah Reid..” To Rossi she said: “They just found another body.”
Paula picked up the phone to call Bruce. She would have to make some last minute changes to her column. Agent Rossi left the room as soon as he heard about the newest victim while Agent Jareau lingered behind. She gave McConnell her card and said:
“Call me if you need more details.”
“Oh I’ll call alright.” JJ did not like the smile she saw on the other woman.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Somehow Mrs. Hawkes had found out about Rossi’s act of repentance. JJ couldn’t do anything but stand by while she told him what she thought of his generosity. To make matters worse they had found yet another victim.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prentiss shared with Morgan and Rossi her theory that the Unsub may have defined himself as a strangler. This new found knowledge of his pathology might explain the third body in three days.
The last one had been a homeless woman and her forehead had been disinfected. JJ had just gotten the news from the coroner’s office and once again made a point of not looking at her ex-lover when she informed Rossi, Prentiss and Morgan.
Emily concluded that whatever he did to her forehead before sterilizing it might be part of his signature. She looked past JJ while saying it and the blonde shook her head. This didn’t help. The evidence on the last body had been washed away in the water. And the other bodies had been buried or cremated. Except for one.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zoe had saliva on her forehead from a sexual predator named Eric Ryan Olson. He was born in Cleveland and had even taken classes in criminology while incarcerated. This was their guy and Garcia got them a search warrant based on the evidence.
Olson wasn’t home but Reid noticed that he had put Al’s Alehouse in his schedule for tonight. Prentiss and Morgan were closest to the park Linda the waitress cut through on her way home. Olson had left the pub shortly after her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The profilers saw two people in the grass and immediately pulled the man of the woman. When Linda shouted:
“That’s my boyfriend” The colleagues looked dumbfounded at each other.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Back at the station the team separated Eric from Linda. Prentiss would interview the girlfriend while Rossi would try to keep Eric talking. JJ stood outside and watched both interrogations along with Reid, Morgan and Hotch.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“He can’t be this guy.”
“We found his DNA on a murder victim.”
Unsuspecting girlfriends or wives were all but uncommon in her line of work. At first they tried to deny the obvious, but when confronted with the overwhelming evidence they usually saw the light. It had been a long day and Emily was tired. She knew that Linda Jones knew next to nothing about Eric, she had met him online six weeks ago.
“What?”
“We also think he is responsible for the murder of seven other people over the last seven weeks.” Even if she wanted to, there was no way to sugar coat it. “Two of his victims were raped.” She would find out eventually.
“I think I’m gonna be sick.”
Emily got up and got the paper basket for her just in time.
Once she had stopped throwing up, Prentiss gave her a tissue and continued the interview.
“I need to ask you about your sexlife.” There really wasn’t much else she was interested in so she cut right down to the chase.
“That’s… That’s personal.” ‘Oh please!’
“Your boyfriend’s a serial killer. Your relationship is no longer private.”
“It’s completely normal to experiment with sex.” Interesting how people got defensive before she had even accused them of anything.
“Okay, it might be normal to have sex in a public park, but the other things?”
“We were just role playing. Every couple has fantasies.” And the Ambassador’s daughter certainly was no stranger to that concept.
“Did you ever think it was strange that your boyfriend has fantasies about raping and strangling women?” There had to be a line somewhere, for crying out loud.
“Not women! Just me.” ‘Well okay then! As long as he just fantazises about killing the one he supposedly loves, we can all go home. No danger to speak of…’
“Did he kiss you on the forehead too?”
“How did you know that?”
She neglected to answer that question and asked instead:
“Did he have any other strange preferences in bed?”
“No.”
“Did he ever role play by tying you up?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” Her voice was strong. Much shakier she added: “I’m sure.” Emily leaned back and nodded as if this answer told her more than Linda had intended to reveal.
“He liked being exhibitionist.” And her reward followed immediately. Linda told her what was most important to the investigation. “It was really the only way he’d get excited.”
“What do you mean?” Prentiss’ voice was casual, as if they were discussing the latest movie, when in reality she couldn’t wait for the answer.
“Well, he didn’t like having sex in bed. So he just took me to public places.”
“Where?”
“Do I have to tell you this?”
Annoyed, Emily nodded and said much firmer: “Please.”
“Okay.” Linda took a second to think and said: “The first time was at Kingsbury Park. And then, at a movie theater, in the parking lot, in my car.”
“Did he ever take you to the second street bridge, off the bike path?”
“Yeah.” Linda leaned back, appalled. It started to dawn on her, that Eric was in fact who these agents thought he was. Emily had taken the address from the crime report on the jogger, they had found in the river.
Hotch walked in, placed a notepad and pen on the table and said with authority:
“I need you to write down for me all the places he took you to have sex.” Linda did not argue and the profilers learned that Eric Ryan Olson was responsible for twelve murders. Four of them unsuspected by Zoe Hawkes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning the team was wrapping up the case and getting ready to fly back home. Walking out of the police station JJ overheard Rossi canceling the rest of his book tour. She felt that he was finally ready for that pep talk she owed him.
“Why do people want to hear me talk about serial killers? Is it that entertaining?”
“There’s a public fascination with them.”
“Sometimes I wonder if my books are doing more harm than good.”
“My senior year at Georgetown… I was graduating, I did not have a clue what I was going to do with my life…” JJ remembered it very well. Communications hadn’t turned out to be what she had expected. It had been more about obfuscating and deflecting rather than sharing and connecting. Something she had wanted to do ever since the last day she had seen Lindsay. “And one day I was in the campus book store and you were there. Promoting your second book? I sat through your whole talk.” She smiled at him with the memory of the past in her eyes.
“You never told me.”
“I asked you what you were most proud of and you showed us a picture of a boy from Charleston.”
Rossi nodded. “Brad Roberts. A neighbor took him.”
“He was found alive. One of the few. That night I bought your book. Applied to the academy the next fall.”
It was the best gift she could give him. As he understood all she told him with her words and her silence, he smiled at her.
“I’ll see you at the airport.”
Edit: OLE OLE OLE IT WORKED :)