ACT ONE
EXT. SNOWY MOUNTAIN TOP SKI LODGE - WASHINGTON STATE (DAY 1 - BEFORE SUNRISE)
CUT TO
INT. SKI RESORT HOTEL ROOM - WASHINGTON STATE (DAY 1 - BEFORE SUNRISE)
WOMAN UNSUB dressed in a different coat than what she wore on the slopes efficiently re-packing her high-tech rucksack. We do not see her face. When she is ready, she slams - quietly - out of the room with her pack and leaves the room. The camera follows her as she strides to her car and gets in. She starts the car - the radio is set to a rock station. She grabs a worn map and a black sharpie marker off the passenger seat. She opens the marker with her teeth.
CUT TO
CLOSE UP OF MAP - THERE IS A RED DOT THAT HAS BEEN DRAWN ON THE MAP NEAR THE WORDS CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN
WOMAN UNSUB uses sharpie to make an X over the red dot.
ZOOM OUT TO SHOW WIDER SHOT OF MAP
We can now see there are 5 big black X's and many more red dots on the map.
CROSS FADE / MUSIC FADE TO
Screen showing an electronic version of to same map but the red dots have disappeared and only 3 of the 5 X's remain and they have morphed into blue triangles.
GARCIA (VOICE OVER)
So you can see that based on Professor Newbie's excellent brainwave - I think I have found one more potential avalanche fatality that may be linked to the case. Here at Table Mountain near the end of last season. The accident report said that one of a party of four was killed after being dragged 270 vertical feet then buried completely.
CLOSE UP
GARCIA (ON SCREEN)
The reason this caught my - what some might call dreamboat eyes - was that the two buddies who were with him recalled hearing a bang that sounded like an explosion - like the ones used by ski patrols to trigger controlled avalanches at resorts - just before the slab broke above their friend.
CUT TO
INT. BAU JET - TEAM GATHERED FOR INFLIGHT BRIEFING
GARCIA (ON SCREEN)
But for me the biggest kicker was that the group was made up of three friends who regularly skied together - and a woman they had just met that morning. And get this fellow crime fighters - the woman is believed to have taken off on her own right after the accident instead of helping with rescue efforts and she was never located by authorities after the fact despite search efforts.
ALVEZ
Even if the woman had nothing to do with the avalanche and just left because she was inexperienced or emotional - leaving was pretty reckless - both because being solo in those conditions is not safe and because not participating in the rescue made it much less likely the buried man would be saved.
But if it is the same woman - it confirms that the unsub is refining her methods - since the last two avalanches did not leave any witnesses and utilised avalanche mitigation artillery instead of a ski patrol hand held explosive. Garcia, I assume you checked if the woman left a false name?
GARCIA (ON SCREEN)
Correct. And the name she left was very interesting - 10 Reid points to whoever gets the reference first - she signed into the backcountry registered as Mylai Massa.
ROSSI
Like as in the My Lay Massacre in Vietnam?
GARCIA (ON SCREEN)
10 points to you, Sir. It took me until I went back and checked the other bogus names used - to make the connection. There is definately a pattern, the other names she used were Talia Hook and Vena John.
JAREAU
Talia Hook would then be a reference to the Tailhook Scandal - where Navy and Marine aviation officers were alleged to have sexually assaulted dozens of women and several men.
LEWIS
And the other in context would be a reference to the alleged rape and murder of Private First Class LaVena Johnson in Iraq. The family claims that the military covered up the circumstances of her death by ruling it a suicide.
SIMMONS
So Rossi you were right - it might be helpful to think of the unsub as a serial bomber. There is similar patience and planning and technical expertise required to execute these murders and definately some sort of mission fueling the kills.
ALVEZ
Outrage about military misconduct and possible cover ups - each time where notable victims were women. Although in Vietnam it was civilians not military women who were victimized.
LEWIS
So is the tie between them is - men who are supposed to have honour behaving badly? There are a lot of women in the world who get mad about that - but I think the whole frozen sperm makes this personal.
JAREAU
Semen is pretty standard evidence in rape cases. So maybe our unsub is victim of similar abuses and cover ups. Ex-military maybe?
ALVEZ
That could account for the strategic thinking, facility with explosives and artillery, and mountaineering skills. Garcia - it may make sense to check which service women have gone through alpine training or maneuvers. I know the Ranger School does theirs at Camp Merrill and I think the one in Alaska is called something like Black Rapids...
GARCIA (ON SCREEN)
Yes you're right the Northern Warfare Training Center is in Black Rapids, managed out of Fort Wainwright...and there is also mountain stuff for various branches of the military going on at Camp Ethan, Pickle Meadows, and Camp Monsoor...I'll start the search. How far back should I go?
SIMMONS
Maybe start with five years for general maneuvers and training - but for some of the other situations like Ranger School - they are only just now allowing women to participate in the last couple years.
ALVEZ
And I've heard numbers are still pretty low and it's notoriously hard for anyone to make it through the full course - so Garcia don't just look at graduates of the program - anyone who attended the mountain component should be flagged. It's...
GARCIA (ON SCREEN)
The second phase. Got it!
PRENTISS
And Gracia - just in case it's not someone connected to the military can you include private backcountry training programs?
GARCIA
That will be a bit more skattershot - but will do.
PRENTISS
Excellent. So how does this connect to our victimology? Garcia, what do we know about the men who were killed? Were any of them vets or active in the military?
GARCIA (ON SCREEN)
Nada. While there is some overlap between active and ex military - particularly reservists - with the extreme winter sports community - none of the victims appear to have any history with the military. In fact, most of them seem to fall on the more hippy-peace-nik side of the spectrum...an environmentalist, a nurse, a teacher, a full-time trail guide, a carpenter... and I'm not seeing any other connections between them except the winter sport community which they were all active in. I will keep digging, but I've sent you all what I've found so far so maybe you'll see something I'm missing because I'm seeing any patterns - I mean different home towns, careers, races, builds, ages, marriage status, kids, no kids... just the mountains seem to be the link. Also, I checked and so far there is no evidence of any of them or their partners being treated for infertility or banking their sperm for any reason. Next on my list in that department is to look into the containers and see what I can learn - and I'll give you a ring when and if the lab is able to confirm what is in the containers. Anything else before I go?
PRENTISS
I think that's all for now.
GARCIA (ON SCREEN)
Sounds good! Luke, give me a ring when you're ready for snow school to be in session and I'll ring back to run the video and stuff you sent over. PG over and out!
LEWIS
Did she just call you Luke?
JAREAU
I guess this must some presentation you pulled together, eh Cool Hand?
ALVEZ
Don't worry - I am sure it will never happen again. Don't we have a case to solve here people?
PRENTISS
We sure do. O.K. here's the plan - we'll do Alvez's avalanche training in an hour and a half - Luke you'll let Pen know? That would be 11:30 Eastern. Between now and then please review the material on the victims and make sure you all take a break and rest for a bit. Then when we land - Rossi and Matt - you go to the morgue and see what you find out about the deaths of the recent victims. JJ and Luke - I want you to check out the ski resort the victims left from in the morning - Penelope is going to arrange a helicopter for you because it's a few hours away from the Avalanche center by road - if you can get to the crime site that would be good too - but it may not be possible. Tara - you and I will go to the Avalanche center and we will find out what we can about the two previous accidents. And everybody - keep alert out there - I have a bad feeling about this one...we're tired, the unsub is clearly well prepared and seems to be escalating, and the murder weapon is just too unpredictable...
CUT TO:
MONTAGE OF BACK COUNTRY ALPINE SKIERS, SNOW MOBILERS, SNOWSHOERS, CLIMBERS, SNOW BOARDERS - MUSIC LOUD AND ROCKING - WE "TRAVEL BY MONTAGE" PROGRESSIVELY AWAY FROM THE BACKCOUNTRY TOWARDS A RESORT WITH BACK COUNTRY ACCESS - THERE IS A SHOT OF A GROUP SIGNING INTO THE REGISTRAR AT THE GATE THAT LEADS OUT OF THE SKI RESORT INTO THE BACKCOUNTRY. THERE IS A BIG SIGN WITH A SKULL AND CROSS BONES THAT SAYS "YOU ARE LEAVING THE SKI RESORT: YOU CAN DIE. THIS IS YOUR DECISION."
THE CAMERA THEN TAKES US DOWN THE CHAIRLIFT TO IMAGES OF THE THE LODGE.OF A NEW SKI RESORT.
CUT TO:
EXT. NEW SKI RESORT PARKING LOT (DAY 1 - NOON)
UNSUB WOMAN pulls into parking lot, parks, and shuts off the car and the music. She exits car with just her purse - her hat is off and this is the first time we see this much of her face - although she is still wearing wrap around sun glasses. The snow sparkles in the sunlight and the parking lot is busy with people unloading skis, snowboards, suitcases, etc.
Taking the phone out of her pocket, UNSUB WOMAN punches a button to make a call as she cooly scans the area. When she speaks her voice is unexpectedly cheerful and flirty - a tone which is at odds with her demeanor.
UNSUB WOMAN (ON PHONE)
Hey baby, I made it safe and sound. Oh - I wanted to tell you - yesterday was masterful - real sexy. I'm a lucky lucky girl to have such a real man taking care of her. Of course I'll be ready to rock and roll whenever you're ready! No, you're the best! Miss you, Lover!
UNSUB WOMAN ends the call and makes an annoyed huff. Her whole stance seems to scream incredulous disgust. UNSUB WOMAN takes a breath, plasters a smile across her face, changes her posture to something much less efficient - somehow younger - and bounces off to sign in. It's show time!
CUT TO:
INT. AVALANCHE CENTER (DAY 1 - NOON)
PRENTISS and LEWIS enter laughing - it is not the usual type of office they set up in - there are a lot of maps and computers. Off to one side there is a dispatch center behind a wall of glass.
LEWIS
Oh he is never going to hear the end of this. Garcia was not kidding when she called Luke "Reid Lite: Nature Edition".
PRENTISS
I know! Who knew anyone could be so giddy about how weak layers in the snowpack are formed? And did you see his face when you said that "Depth Hoar" sounded like the name of a girl-punk band?
LEWIS
Yep. And then Rossi threw in that kicker!
PRENTISS (IMPERSONATING ROSSI)
"Or a lady of the night on a submarine."
LEWIS
Luke looked like he wanted to throw a punch. It was almost as priceless as when I pointed out that Penelope had called him "Luke".
STATE POLICE SERGEANT DARBEN crosses to meet PRENTISS and LEWIS. PRENTISS offers her hand.
PRENTISS
Sergeant Darben - you're our liaison with the State Patrol? I'm Unit Chief Emily Prentiss and this is SSA Dr. Tara Lewis. Our liaison has been in touch?
SGT. DARBEN
Yes. Yes. Nice to meet you both. We've set you up back here. I think we've set up everything you'll need. The coffee is over there and just let me know if I can help in any way?
LEWIS
We understand. Were you there when the victims were found?
SGT. DARBEN
No. No. I've arranged for the rescue team to come and speak with you in an hour or so. I have some backcountry experience but I'm no expert. I tell you - the rescuers have seen a lot of awful things over the years - but this has really shaken them up. I mean most fatal avalanches are triggered by the victim or a member of the victim's party - but the idea that someone is deliberately using avalanches as a weapon...unbelievable.
PRENTISS
I thought so too. But apparently military forces around the world have been historically known to trigger avalanches tactically to dispose of the enemy.
SGT. DARBEN
I'm sure the Army and Forestry Service guys who do the artillery avalanche mitigation program in the mountains probably have their own stories to tell. The team leader should be here in a few minutes to try to explain what they think happened - although last time I spoke to her they didn't know how it was done. I'll go see if I can find her - shall I bring her right back her when I do?
PRENTISS
Perfect. We'll set up and we'll link in our technical analyst for the conversation. Thanks again for all your help.
CUT TO
INT - MORGUE (DAY 1 - AFTERNOON)
ROSSI and SIMMONS stand side by side beside the body of a male victim who is still dressed - they are still in their winter coats. The CORONER stands at the head of the table with a clipboard.
CORONER
We still haven't been able to perform the autopsy. By the time the bodies were found - they had frozen solid - so we have been slowly thawing them to preserve the tissue. What I can tell you is that so far they appear to be fairly typical avalanche deaths. Two of them appear to have died by asphyxiation - while the one found without a helmet appears to have sustained significant and likely fatal trauma to the head.
ROSSI
And this was the one who was holding the straws?
CORONER steps down towards the right hand and indicates the brightly coloured straw-like container that is still taped to the victim's hand.
CORONER
The containers that were scattered in the snow have been sent to the lab, and you can see we've removed part of this one for that purpose as well. We'll remove the rest of one and the tape when we do the autopsy. So far, it doesn't look to me like there's anything distinctive about the tape - except that because the adhesive didn't fray or fail along the edge it may be a brand designed specifically for use in cold and snow. As for the straws - I do have something on them - I showed a picture to a colleague who specializes in fertility treatments and he says that they appear identical to ones they receive from a Seattle medical supply company which promotes the use of multi-coloured products to facilitate tracking. The products are apparently made with a biocompatible ionic resin which is non-toxic without any plastic to facilitate the cryopreservation cycle. Here's the information about the company.
CORONER hands ROSSI a report which he immediately scans using his phone to send to GARCIA.
SIMMONS
Thanks. This information will be very useful for our technical analyst. It looks like the tape was torn not cut - can you check for DNA just incase she used her teeth to rip it.
CORONER
Of course but I wouldn't get your hopes up - even if saliva was deposited on the tape - it will be a longshot that the DNA will be salvageable.
SIMMONS
One thing looking at the bodies - none of their airbags seem to have inflated - but it looks like the pull cord was pulled on at least this one. (SIMMONS CROSSES TO THE OTHER TWO BODIES AND CHECKS) Same thing for the other two. Can you send the packs to the lab to find out if they can confirm that the victims tried to activate the airbags and why they didn't inflate. We'd be particularly interested if there was any tampering done.
CORONER
Of course. I'm sorry I didn't notice it sooner. It's something that we would normally expect noted in the body retrieval report - but I don't recall seeing anything - oh wait it's there under observations. I apologize again for not clocking it. It's no excuse but we've had a busy 24 hours.
ROSSI
I'm sure you would have made note of it when you did the formal autopsy. Thank you so much for your help. We look forward to your report. (ROSSI AND SIMMONS LEAVE.) We'd better get back to the center - I'll drive - you call Garcia and Prentiss and tell them about the airbags. We need to know if there is any record of tampering or equipment malfunction with the victims. We also better find out if they were using their own equipment or not.
CUT TO
EXT. SKI RESORT GATEWAY TO BACKCOUNTRY FOR MOST RECENT VICTIMS (DAY 1 - AFTERNOON)
ALVEZ and JAREAU are both in winter gear at the gate with a young woman in a full ski suit holding a helmet under her arm, she is a SKI GUIDE and clearly tough although shaken by recent events. JAREAU is taking photos of the trailhead sign-in book, while ALVEZ, who is wearing reflective sun glasses, scans the mountain beyond the gate and asks questions of the SKI GUIDE.
SKI GUIDE
Yeah, I was supposed to go with those guys yesterday but my Grams fell a couple days ago. She was lucky and just twisted her ankle - but still she needed some extra help y'know. So I begged off so I could spend my day off taking care of her - y'know got groceries, played cards, watched a bit of T.V. I just feel like if only I had been withe guys...maybe...
ALVEZ
You were doing what you had to. Why do you feel that if you had been there things would have been different?
SKI GUIDE
The community is tight right? And me and the three guys we head out a lot together - I've knew Ravi and Matt since we were kids and Vince joined our band when he started working here about 4 years ago. We have done all the backcountry safety courses together and even took an advanced refresher course on companion rescue a few weeks ago. If I had been there to make up the party - they would never have invited that bobble-headed chick to go with. Jerks.
JAREAU (CROSSING OVER TO JOIN THE CONVERSATION)
So you met her?
SKI GUIDE
Yeah - well kinda. She was new - we'd never seen her before a couple nights ago when crashed the ski patrol party. She was a total legit hit the slopes snow bunny - according to Vince - but I pegged her as a gaper - even if her gear was top and she was fit. She was all over the guys though at least at the party - I don't think she left with anyone - real queen bee - spread herself around. But guys only - but none of us girls even spoke to her which is not really how it's done - I mean - I get that ski towns are regular sausage fests and there are always a lot fewer chicks but you check in, y'know?
ALVEZ
But is that unusual - I mean if there are more men then women...
SKI GUIDE
No I am telling you it was weird. Usually a new gal who's in the know will tee up with the chicks at some point - I mean that's where I started the couple times I was solo in a new burg. Ski dudes are pretty awesome - smart aware fun respectful - but they are also risk takers and that means that there are always a few prime asshats in the bunch - or at least guys you would not want to take home. So it can pay to be careful. Plus the community is pretty fluid so it can be good to get a sense of who's with who this season - we all need to have each other's backs and that's part of it right?
JAREAU
Makes sense. Was she outwardly hostile to any of the girls? You called her a bobble-head - why?
SKI GUIDE
The guys would talk and she would nod and smile at them - like her head was on a bobble - stroking their egos y'know. I didn't understand why Vince thought she knew her shit. From what I saw she was there for the boys not for the slopes - I called him on it - but Ravi stood up for her. Said she had told a couple of her own stories and that there was no way she didn't know how to shred the gnar. As for hostile - like I said she basically ignored our existence- but no not hostile... but I saw her on her cell in the hall one night and she was all flirty on the phone - but when she hung up - there was this flash where - I don't know - she changed - got hard - disgusted or something - then she softened herself and flounced back to the party. It gave me the creeps. Look can I go? My boss offered me time off - but they are short handed already so I'm still working - I've got a lesson with four seven-year olds in half an hour and I'm not in the right gear yet.
ALVEZ
Yes. You can go in just a second - just if you could help us with three last questions first: First and Second: What night was the call? And, did you hear a name or get a sense of who she was talking to on the phone?
SKI GUIDE
The night before the avalanche. I assume a guy - since she was flirty - but I wasn't close enough to hear any actual words. Suzy past by her though - so I could ask if she heard anything?
JAREAU
Thanks - it might be better if we spoke to her?
SKI GUIDE
Yeah of course. Suzy Hansen - she's working the lift today. What's your last question?
ALVEZ
Have you or anyone else seen this woman since the accident?
SKI GUIDE
I haven't. But I'll ask around ok? I'll call you as soon as possible if anyone has seen her.
JAREAU
Thanks for all your help. You've shared some really important information. Take care of yourself. And let people know that they should stick to their regular friends for a bit ok?
SKI GUIDE
Of course. I hope you find that evil slag.
SKI GUIDE heads back towards the resort. ALVEZ is already taking out his cell phone when a call comes in from GARCIA.
ALVEZ (ON PHONE)
Garcia? We were just about to call in - can you patch JJ in through her phone? I think speaker might be a bit of a wind tunnel.
GARCIA (ON PHONE)
Rodger Dodger. You're actually patched through to Em and Tara too - and they just met with the Avalanche Mitigation Program Artillery Team Leader. OK JJ you there?
JAREAU (ON PHONE)
Yes I am. Emily - Alvez and I just spoke to a ski guide who was the usual forth with our three victims - and there's evidence that there may be a partner - the unsub was seen having a phone conversation the night before the accident.
PRENTISS (ON PHONE)
That lines up with what Avalanche Mitigation is turning up. It looks like in this case someone hacked into the signal sent by pre-set targets that are placed on avalanche passes and tell the missiles where to go - and redirected the shot. Penelope doesn't think that the woman could have done it in advance or onsite - she thinks it needs to have been a pretty advanced hacker working from a remote location.
GARCIA (ON PHONE)
Yeah and I am having no luck figuring out the who or from where. But I'll keep at it.
ALVEZ (ON PHONE)
Well you will because it can't be anyone better than our Penelope Garcia now can it? Prentiss - we're going to go talk to a witness who may have overheard more of the phone call. If she heard what I think she did - think we're ready to deliver the profile?
PRENTISS (ON PHONE)
We're close - I still don't understand the cryogenics connection yet - and I think it's key. Interview your witness and then set up there and call in. I want to go over everything that we've all found. Then while we deliver the profile here - I want you to see if you can finish mapping the woman's movements while she was at the resort - I'm going to get Matt and Rossi to head up to the second crime site and see if they can do the same thing there. And if you can ask if anyone knew if the guys were using their usual gear - that would be good. Simmons just called in and it seems the victims pull the ripcords on their airbags - but none of them inflated - we're checking if there was anything similar in the other two related avalanches. In the meantime, we're going to release a statement that anyone going into the backcountry should be extra cautious and wary of inviting people they don't know to join their party - the police have been able to put together a sketch based on witness statements - Garcia has probably already sent it to you. Great work guys but keep moving - time is a ticking.
CUT TO
INT. NEW SKI RESORT - LOUNGE (DAY 1 - LATE AFTERNOON)
UNSUB WOMAN is relaxing on a couch reading a magazine. Three groups of male skiers - clearly backcountry guys from their gear - come in. They all know each other - but clearly each have their own groups. UNSUB WOMAN puts down her magazine and smiles inticingly at the groups.
UNSUB WOMAN
Hey boys. Any chance I can join your party tonight? My girls were supposed to arrive today - but their flight got delayed and they won't be here until late tomorrow night and I need some fun!
FADE TO BLACK
END OF ACT
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Please review and let me know what you think :) Are you enjoying the case? Is the format hard to read? Would it be helpful to have a character list available?
As promised - here's a couple great resources if you want to learn more about avalanche safety and winter backcountry experiences. I'll share a couple other resources later - but these were my first go tos when preparing to write this story. As always any mistakes in the story are mine - including references to ski / backcountry or military history / culture. Descriptions of these two sites showcased here are from the websites themselves - but I can assure you they are both amazing resources for anyone interested in this topic - whether you are a total couch adventurer like myself or one of those amazing real life adventurers. Take care and thanks for joining me on this little adventure!
1. Know Before You Go
This is an awesome free online avalanche awareness program. Not much science, no warnings to stay out of the mountains, no formulas to memorize. In 1 hour, you will see the destructive power of avalanches, understand when and why they happen, and how you can have fun in the mountains and avoid avalanches.
Avalanches kill an average of 42 people each year in North America. Hundreds more are injured. Avalanches don't just happen to extreme athletes - they can happen to those skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, hiking, driving, hunting, bike riding, and more - anyone who can get onto or underneath steep snow-covered slopes. Many avalanche victims don't know they are in avalanche danger and are unprepared to deal with an avalanche. This doesn't have to happen – the danger signs are usually obvious to those who know what to look for. Just as those in Hawaii learn about the dangers of rip currents and shore breaks at an early age, those living, working, and recreating in snowy mountains need to learn about avalanches.What they learn can save their lives.
2. Avy Savvy
https/avysavvy.avalanche.ca/en-ca
Avy Savvy is designed to be a precursor to theAvalanche Canada Training program.
o Here's what you will learn:
o How avalanches form
o How different types of avalanches are classified and why that's important to you
o How to identify avalanche terrain
o How to use the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale
o How to understand the avalanche forecast and use it to plan your trips
o The daily process for a day in the backcountry
o How to perform a companion rescue in case you or someone else gets caught in an avalanche
