"He's not our Unsub," Hotch said, decisively.
"You don't know that. We are looking for a white male between the ages of 18 and 20, who lives alone. It could be him," Morgan countered. The unmarked SUV they were sitting in idled just beyond the curb.
"The profile calls for a severely narcissicistic individual. Spencer Reid doesn't fit that description."
Morgan shrugged. "So...why are we here?"
"There is a tech at Quantico. A Kevin Lynch."
"Yeah I know about him. But what does it have to do with this?"
Hotch entertained a smile but it quickly faded. "Did anyone ever tell you about his job interview?"
"But that's just cruel Hotch. You can't be serious."
"It's a useful strategy. It will show how he reacts in a hostile situation."
Morgan stared at him. "Just don't enjoy it too much."
Again came the almost smile. Hotch shut off the engine and said, "Lets go."
Spencer tossed the remote onto the couch. On the television screen was a broadcast on Seneca. Philosophy intrigued him and it wasn't as if he had anything better to do.
Out of nowhere there came a vigorous pounding on the door. Someone on the otherside bellowed, "FBI! OPEN UP!" He froze up staring at the door in shock. A second later they kicked it open and two guns were pointed at his face. "Hands in the air," one of them roared at him.
The other seemed to disagree, yelling, "ON THE GROUND! Now." The last word came out as a growl. It was enough to spur him to action and he dropped to the floor.
One of the men pinned him to the ground with his knee, while securing the handcuffs. "Did you think it was coincidence we met in the coffee shop? We've been watching you for months. And you thought you were smarter than us," the man snarled at him. He was yanked roughly to his feet and dragged all the way to the SUV.
"This is a mistake," he protested but the look he recieved for it shut him up quickly. He was shoved into the back seat. The door was slammed hard.
"I haven't done anything," Spencer said. He stretched his arms out in front of him and stared at the handcuffs, an expression of complete bewilderment on his face.
"Shhh...You shouldn't be talking," JJ said soothingly. "Not until your lawyer gets here."
"I don't have a lawyer. I'm a scholarship student and I don't have a job. I can't afford one," he said, anxiously.
She was unable to conceal the look of profound horror that briefly crossed her face. "Oh," she said, very quietly.
"I haven't done anything," he repeated.
"You know who we are," Hotch said in an icy voice.
"I saw her on tv once," Spencer said, with a quick look at JJ. "A press conference about the vigilante killer. You're part of the Behavioral Analysis Unit."
Hotch gave him a shark-like grin. "That's right, dig your grave a little deeper. She never mentions that she's with the BAU. Never."
"I've...done research." He swallowed nervously.
JJ sighed wearily and rubbed her forehead. "I told you not to say anything," she told him.
He gave her a frightened look and she nearly ruined the game. The deer in headlights image he projected nearly made her laugh. She covered her mouth to hide just in case she accidently smiled.
From the other side of the glass, Morgan and Gideon watched the scene unfold. "They certainly have him squirming."
Gideon nodded but remained silent and continued to watch.
"We have the evidence. We know what you've done," Hotch needled.
"What exactly-"
"We'll ask the questions here!" For effect, Hotch made to slam the table with his fist and then made a show of restraining himself. JJ got to her feet, suddenly and let her eyes dart between the two of them.
Morgan couldn't help himself, at that point he burst into laughter and hoped that this room was soundproof.
Spencer gave her an imploring look. She appeared to compose herself and put her hand gently on his shoulder. She turned back to Hotch and attempted to stare him down. "That's enough," she said authoritatively.
He gave her a venomous scowl. "Who do you think you are," he said, in dangerously, quiet voice.
"That's enough," Gideon announced. He leaned forward and rapped the glass with his knuckles.
Hotch's nostrils flared at the sound but after giving Spencer one more cold look, he left the interrogation room with JJ right behind him.
Good cop, bad cop. Before this moment, he had considered the method cliche and laughable but just now it was working. He would've told them anything, had he actually had something to confess.
"Enjoying yourself," Gideon remarked, wryly, to Hotch.
The other said nothing, merely shrugged with an amused look on his face.
Twenty minutes they were gone. The waiting was worse, his fear growing as the seconds ticked by. Desperate for something to do, he looked wildly around the room. A single piece of paper stuck to a small bulletin. He crossed the room and pulled it free. He looked at the dark glass and began speaking aloud, "There is a significant vertical slant indicating an individual possesed of self-control and self-discipline. Also, with the capitals large and well-formed: self-confidant, ambitious, proud and dignified."
"Who wrote that," Morgan asked.
"I did," Gideon told him.
"A high t-bar that connects with the next letter: resourceful, with a quick intellect and visionary characteristics. Um...letters m and n with sharply pointed tops and bottoms: analytical, investigative," he paused and let out a nervous laugh, "It makes sense if he's on this team. Or she. The letter e is left wide open and coupled with the greek g indicates one who is an excellent listener, again with a quick mind. Philosophical, with a well-honed sense of humor."
Hotch and Morgan stared at Gideon. "I'd like to think so," he said, simply.
"This is someone who is exceedingly competent at your profession," Spencer finished. He carefully reattached the slip of paper to the board.
Gideon leaned forward. "And now, my friend, it's your turn. You're very insecure but you've turned into an asset rather than a flaw. 'My intelligence is all I have.' So in crisis you turn to it. Attention to detail. You too are resourceful." He sat back again and took several minutes to reflect.
Finally, he turned to Hotch and said, "Alright, you have my attention."