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Chapter Nineteen:
Calvin looked straight into the camera
"In conclusion, John Uris killed six men. Only Spencer Reid survived. Why he was the only one to survive such unimaginable suffering, the answer died with Uris.
There are lessons that can be learned from what these men endured. The first three men came from homeless populations, where they would not be missed. The other three men were not reported missing until statistically speaking, it was too late. What is the takeaway from all this? Don't make assumptions based on past behavior. Men aren't as likely to be abducted, but if tonight's story in any indicator, there are monsters preying on men among us. Stay vigilant and call the police. That absentee ex-husband may have forgotten to pick up your child, or something worse may have happened. The police are a resource, don't be afraid to use them.
Thank you, good night. Hold the ones you loved dearly always, as you never know what might happen next."
"Cut!" Owen, the new producer, shouted.
Ace Cornell, the network executive had been watching.
"Very nice, Calvin," he said. "It's going to make for an excellent special."
"Thanks," she said.
"I saw the other pieces. The way Emily Prentiss handled the rape question protected Spencer Reid's privacy, while still making clear he endured terrible abuse. It's going to make for compelling television."
"I believe it is some of my finest work," Calvin said.
"I agree," he said. "Possibly award-winning."
"I only care about making sure the victim's lives are honored."
Cornell smiled and shook his head slightly.
"Calvin, I believe you are the last honest woman in cable news."
Cornell's phone rang.
"Have a good day, Calvin," he said.
"You too sir."
Calvin wiped off her makeup. It was a hard piece, but hopefully it would do those harmed justice.
Her assistant Elaine appeared with her cell phone.
"A Doctor Juno is on the phone."
Calvin knew of Juno as one of premier psychologists in captivity-related trauma.
"How can I help you Dr. Juno?" she said as she went into her office.
"I was wondering if you'd interview Dr. Reid," Juno said.
Calvin stifled a gasp.
"Of course, what are the conditions?"
"No cameras, no recording devices, and only one photograph with no flash."
"Understood," Calvin said. "Do you mind if I ask why you chose me?"
"I've followed your coverage of Dr. Reid, Miss. Calvin. You show the most respect to him. I also have a friend in the business. I know you stopped leaked information from being shared across the networks."
"I'm not a saint Dr. Juno," she said. "I only want what's right for all parties involved."
"None of us are. I think an interview with you will help Dr. Reid feel less isolated from the world. I'd like you to email me the questions beforehand, I reserve the right to deny any questions, and I say when the interview ends."
"Under normal circumstances, I'd say you were being unreasonable, but these aren't normal circumstances."
"Exactly," Juno said.
"When do you want to schedule the interview?" Calvin asked as she heard a knocking on her door.
"Within the next three days," she said.
"You choose the day," Calvin said. "Whatever is best for Dr. Reid."
"Tomorrow at one o'clock then," Juno said. "Email me the questions by the ten a.m."
"Deal," Calvin said as the knocking got louder.
"Have a good day Miss. Calvin."
"You too, Dr. Juno."
Calvin hung up and opened her door.
"I have big news," Calvin said. "I need a photographer for tomorrow."
"You need to see this," Connie said in a serious tone.
They walked to the bullpen where the TVs were.
A woman with an enormous chest, dyed blond hair, and a spray tan was rapping in Spanish with Calvin's fiancé by her side.
"Do you know the Spanish?" Connie asked.
"It translates to 'I'm marrying an undercover cop/I'm marrying an undercover cop/Suck it TV lady!'" Calvin said dully.
The newsroom was watching her.
"Someone, get Gary to cover for me," she said. "And hold off on editing the Reid piece. I just scored an exclusive with Dr. Reid."
"Do you want to reshoot the pieces where your ring is visible?" one producer boldly asked.
"Edit it out digitally," she said. "It shouldn't be too hard. I need to go and figure out what to do next."
Calvin's phone beeped.
"I'm sorry you found out this way, but I love her."
Knowing the whole newsroom was watching, she slowly walked back to her office. She went inside and rested her back against the door. Tears finally came.
…
Calvin insisted on no professional camera set up. The photographer improvised and used chairs in the facility to block and adjust light.
Then Reid appeared with Juno by his side. He looked scared. When she and Reid locked eyes, his expression changed. It was a look of curiosity.
"Hello Dr. Reid," she said.
"Hello Miss. Calvin," he said. "Is this a bad time?"
"Why would it be?" she asked.
"I've studied your picture; you don't wear this much makeup usually. You look tired and slightly sad. There's faint mark on your ring finger you just touched without realizing it."
"Very good, Dr. Reid," she said. "I got dumped by my fiancé of four months in a very public way."
"I'm sorry to hear that," he said.
"Let's sit down and get the photo over with," Calvin said.
They sat down and the photographer took a quick shot of her in a blue pants suit, with Reid in a pale blue dress shirt and gray pants. He was watching her every move.
Calvin pulled out her notes that she had memorized.
"Tell me Dr. Reid," she said. "Why did you agree to this interview?"
"Because this is a step in taking back control of my life," he said. "By agreeing to be interviewed, I am choosing how the narrative is focused. This is my life people are talking about, I want to be part of the conversation."
"That is very brave of you Dr. Reid," she said. "What do you want audiences to know?"
"That I am a survivor of rape," he said. "I will not let it define who I am. People are going to ask directly and indirectly and I want to clear the air before I leave here."
"How are you coping these days?" she asked.
"I take it one day at time," he said. "There have been setbacks and times when I have wanted to end it all."
"What stopped you?" she asked.
"The idea that I did not walk three miles out of the woods to go back into a hole in the ground. I may have thought I couldn't cope at one time, but now I know I can."
"What do you want to do when you leave here?" she asked.
"Consult on certain cases for the FBI," he said. "Just go to the park and play a game of chess. See my godchildren. Go to a library."
"Is there anything else you'd like to add?"
"Are there any question you'd like to ask that weren't cleared by my therapists?"
Calvin looked to Juno, who nodded.
"What was the scariest part of being in captivity?"
"Being alone," he said. "When he left for days on end, I'd only have a crack of light. My imagination would run wild with what he would do to me when he came back. In some ways it wasn't always as bad as I imagined, believe it or not."
"What part of the treatment here has helped the most?" she asked.
"Meditation and medication," he said. "Memories keep haunting me, so any way to break the cycle helps. Cognitive behavioral therapy also helps."
"I think that's all, Dr. Reid," Calvin said.
"May I ask you some questions?"
"By all means."
"How are you coping with a broken heart?"
"To honest," she said. "It could be worse. I was in love with the idea of being in love, but not in love with my fiancé. I loved him, but not as much at the fact that he gave a ring to prove his love."
"I miss the idea of being in love," he said. "I'm afraid I'm not capable of love in the normal sense anymore."
"Nothing about love is normal Dr. Reid," she said. "It complicated and outright stupid at times in the way we act. Love is so subjective and personal. You'll find love again. I don't doubt it based on your capability to survive and even ask these questions."
She put her hand out. He touched it.
"Thank you," he said with tears in his eyes.
"Thank you, Dr. Reid," she said as she felt tears in her eyes.
…
Calvin was careful not to touch her ring finger while she stared into the camera.
"There's a lot that goes into putting a piece together like this. I had a chance to interview Spencer Reid the day after my fiancé's public display. Reid picked up on it immediately because despite all of his trauma, he is still gifted in the science of profiling. Spencer Reid is a survivor who admitted he has had setbacks, but refuses to let that define his journey to recovery. He admitted he was raped during his captivity, so that the question would be answered before it was asked by strangers once he completed treatment. Some might say it is not fair that you didn't get to see the interview, but for once I'd like you to take my word and trust me."
"Cut," Owen shouted.
Calvin noticed there were tears in the eyes of some of the crew as well as Connie. It truly was an extraordinary experience.