A/N: Ok here is Chapter 7 with the big reveal. I would love to know if you saw it coming, are totally taken by surprise, thought it was a possibility. I promise the fun has only begun.
Reid closed the cockpit door as the plane began to move. He quickly seated himself in the empty seat across from Hotch and between Morgan and the window. The team tightened their seatbelts before Reid announced phone in hand "I'm ready to brief everyone. Just give me one second. There is someone who is going to help us set a trap for Dubois. I'm going to call her so she can help me explain everything."
Reid let out a heavy nervous sigh which didn't go unnoticed by his teammates as he pressed a couple buttons on his phone. Then a female voice was heard from the phone "Hello." Rossi and Hotch both noticed Reid's face softening uncharacteristically at the sound of the woman's voice. They exchanged glances acknowledging their confusion at Reid's odd behavior.
"We're on our way. I have you on speakerphone." Reid said as he placed the phone on his thigh while still carefully balancing it with his hand. He then continued "Philippe and Nicole Martin Dubois both graduated from Julliard in 2000. I know while you were waiting for me at breakfast this morning Garcia told you about the murder of Etienne Laval." The other members of the team nodded at Reid.
"How does Dubois connect to our victims?" Hotch asked
"David and Nicole Martin Dubois began dating during the second semester of their junior year at Julliard. Prior to Nicole, he had dated Julie Fitzhugh, Susan Campbell, Angela Walker, and the women on Garcia's list. During his first three years at Julliard, he dated all of them for two to eight months while they were also students. The women all graduated from Julliard between 1997 and 2002." Reid said.
"The Fine Arts link so last night you followed-up and discovered they all went to the same college?" Rossi asked sitting just a little taller in his seat eager to take credit for providing an important piece to the puzzle as their aircraft went airborne.
"I had noticed Julie Fitzhugh's diploma class of 1999 in her bedroom. Then when we were at the Campbell home I saw that Susan also graduated from Julliard but in 1997. Since they were there at the same time, I began to wonder if that was somehow the connection we needed. I followed up with a phone call to Angela when we got to Oklahoma City. She graduated from Julliard in 2001 and recognized the other two girls as having had the same former boyfriend. Between Julie, Susan and Angela, they were able to give me the other names. Garcia, please tell everyone what you discovered about the five women whose names they gave us." Reid continued his voice trembling slightly.
"Ok well Reid was right the first gal died in a car accident shortly after she graduated from Julliard. The second gal lives in Adelaide, Australia. The third gal has never been married and lives in New York City. The fourth gal is recently divorced and lives in Detroit. The fifth gal who lives in San Diego is married but just had triplets by Cesarean section twelve days ago." Garcia reported.
"Oh so they're probably not sleeping together yet." Morgan speculated.
"No" Hotch and Rossi said sadly in unison.
"They probably aren't sleeping yet period much less together." JJ announced causing a wave of smiles and chuckles.
"So what should we do about the physical component? We think he is evolving maybe he doesn't need the trigger but if he does need the trigger we have nothing." Prentiss interjected.
"Well we can't just assume Dubois needs the physical trigger and not go to San Diego when we don't have a better option." Morgan said.
"I've already had a preliminary conversation with our office in San Diego but I wanted to brief all of you first. We can certainly advise them but we're not going to San Diego. We are on our way to Los Angeles. Garcia's research confirmed what the ladies had already told me about the possible future targets. There was another name, a tenth girl. I didn't give her name to Garcia because I knew her marital status and I…I knew would she would insist on helping us. She is an actress who lives in the Los Angeles area. She is who I have on the speakerphone. She and her husband have agreed to help set a trap for Dubois" Reid explained blushing slightly
"Wouldn't her husband already be Dubois' target?" Rossi asked confused.
"We're not 100% certain." Reid began
"When we married we decided to keep it a secret. We didn't want the intrusion from the press and fans." The woman explained.
"But marriages are public record" Garcia said.
"Oh I know" The woman said
"But surely someone must know. Your neighbors at the very least would see your husband coming and going." Prentiss stated.
"My husband and I have a bicoastal marriage. He travels a lot all over the country for work so it's easier for me to spend time with him back East. He lives in an apartment building with mostly older residents. We don't socialize with the other residents. We really prefer to spend the little time we have together alone. When I see our neighbors in the halls they barely acknowledge me, I suppose since I'm only around one week out of the month. None of them have ever given any indication that they recognize me. Most of my fans are younger than our neighbors. My husband has actually only been to our LA home once shortly after we first met. But he is on his way here now." The woman explained.
"When will he arrive?" JJ asked
"I'm not sure exactly but he'll be here when you get here." The woman replied.
"Perhaps Dr. Reid has told you, we see a variety of unusual cases but because of the physical trigger we will need to formulate a plan with LA SWAT and stage a scene in your bedroom. We could try to find a couple of detectives who are physically similar to the two of you. Of course because of the intimate nature and the limited time it might be difficult to find… " Hotch explained being as calm and gentle as possible.
"No absolutely not. I want Philippe captured for my husband's sake and for my poor schoolmates who lost their husbands. We can't have Philippe realizing we're setting a trap. It has to be me and my husband." The woman said in a determined voice.
"Being an actress you probably know much more about, what are they called body socks, then we do. We're not trying to suggest you actually" Rossi added nervously.
"Oh I've read all of Agent Rossi's books. I know you have had some very bizarre cases. But there is a target on my husband's head and I am prepared to do whatever it takes. We could wear body stockings or perhaps for less coverage I could wear pasties over my nipples and we could wear thongs but I don't think that is going to work. No I think we need to actually be making love. I'm not an exhibitionist and my husband certainly isn't but to distract Philippe while the SWAT team gets into position we will do what needs to be done." The woman explained as Reid's face turned an increasing deeper shade of pinkish red.
"How does your husband feel about this?" Morgan asked
"Well as an actress I'm more comfortable being in skimpy clothing with lots of people on set. But my husband is incredible smart and very brave. He wouldn't hesitate to defend me or our home. I'm going to call Julie, Susan and Angela later this morning see if there is any important information you may not have – music, lighting, scents, lingerie. You know make sure we are setting the scene right." The woman explained causing Reid to shift uncomfortable yet again drawing Rossi and Hotch's attention to him.
"I'm sure your acting abilities will be very advantageous but this is potentially life and death." Prentiss warned.
"I understand. I was the victim of a stalker. That's actually how I met my husband. He is in law enforcement." She stated proudly as Reid locked eyes first with Hotch and then with Rossi.
"Did Reid mention that all the houses had private backyards with rear facing bedrooms?" Morgan asked.
"Yes that's no problem. Our bedroom has French doors to our backyard which is fenced with a pool. I do just have one concern." The woman said before pausing.
"Yes" Hotch prompted her.
"I assume we're going to have microphones and earpieces so we can hear you and you can hear us. I'm hoping that maybe you can arrange it so only all of you hear the two of us and not all the other agents/police etc. My husband is a little shy and very private about his sexuality." The woman explained causing Reid's face to turn bright red. Hotch smiled and then nodded at Garcia.
"Shouldn't be a problem" Garcia confirmed
"Good and I was also hoping. I mean I assume several people will be nearby – in our master bathroom and/or walk in closet and um I'd really like it if it was all of you with Aaron, David, and Derek closest. We know we need to do this but having an audience for something so intimate especially given the circumstances will be very vulnerable. But we trust you. We know you will do everything you can to protect me and most especially my husband. I want to be an asset but it's really important to me that you...you know are supportive and help him feel as comfortable as possible. I love him so much. He's always been my hero." The woman said sincerely causing a little gasp from JJ who turned and began whispering to Garcia who then began typing frantically on the keyboard of her laptop.
Just then the plane began to experience some mild turbulence. Within seconds Garcia and JJ screamed "oh my God." in unison.
"Ladies, it's just a little turbulence. Reid, you've been awfully quiet do you have any input with this." Morgan asked.
"Oh he's definitely got input with this and don't worry sweetie we'll take good care of your husband." Rossi said with a laugh causing Reid to put his free hand over his face.
Seconds later Prentiss exclaimed "Shut-up" causing Morgan, Hotch and Rossi to look in her direction. Hotch and Rossi laughed when they saw the three women looking at Garcia's laptop screen with stunned expressions on their faces.
"What am I missing?" Morgan asked flatly.
Rossi raised his hand so Garcia, Prentiss and JJ wouldn't say anything as he explained to Morgan. "Her husband lives on the east coast, is in law enforcement, travels a lot for work, and met her when she was the victim of a stalker. He has always been her hero, is incredibly smart, and shy. He is enroute and he will there when we arrive. Reid knew she is married even though she said she never publicly announced her marriage and he also knew she dated Philippe Dubois in college. She knows our full names and wants the three of us men closest while she and her husband set the trap for the unsub but said nothing about Spencer for one very important reason. The woman on the phone is Lila Archer and she's Spencer's wife."
"And you thought Prentiss coming back from the dead was a shock." Reid said nervously.
"Honey?" said the woman who the team now realized was Reid's wife, Lila Archer.
Reid pushed a button on the phone so their conversation could no longer be heard by the other members of the team before putting the phone against his ear. "Yea babe." He said softly. He then paused briefly before continuing. "Oh great, baby. Sure perfect. Of course. Love you too. Bye, babe." He closed the phone and announced to the stunned team. "Lila said if we call her when we land, she'll order us lunch.
"Wait wait wait one minute. She'll order us lunch. That's all you have to say for yourself, lover?" Morgan said in a raised voice with a proud smile on his face.
"Morgan. I didn't get any sleep last night. I really need a nap before I talk about making love with my wife while you're in the closet." Reid said with the broad smile as he blushed crimson.
"Well this case just got very personal." Rossi added causing the other members of the team to laugh.
"Oh my God! Our young love is the next target." Garcia shrieked causing the whole team to sober in understanding.
"That's the plan." Reid replied wearily as Morgan stood up, got a blanket and covered Reid with it.
"Get some sleep." Morgan said simply as he sat back down beside their youngest who had already closed his eyes.
