Author's Note: I'm so so so glad someone liked the silly snow pickup lines scene - it was a hoot to research.and write. Also big thanks to the guest who pointed out that it is unlikely that they would be riding a down on a chair lift - clearly I am not a skier! Anyhoo - I did a bit of research and it seems that some lifts are designed to carry folks down regularly - although they are super rare - and others do so on an exceptional basis - so I've made a small adjustment to the text of the previous act as a result to try and help folks in the know stay in the world. I freely admit this has been way more challenging to write than the prose I was writing before...but again I am learning a lot and am enjoying the process overall. Hope you enjoy reading this instalment - I know it is far from perfect - but I hope it hits some of the things CM fans love.
Ps I am totally making up the computer / hacking stuff...so we all just have to go with it. The same of.course applies to the artillery and target stuff which is I know is based very loosely on common practices.
Act 3
FADE TO
EXT. NEW SKI RESORT - GATE TO BACKCOUNTRY (DAY 2 - EARLY MORNING)
EDGY ROCK MUSIC PLAYS OVER MONTAGE
UNSUB WOMAN and FOUR MALE SKIERS are signing into the registrar at the gate. At the urging of UNSUB WOMAN they ignore a sign that says "access to back country closed" and jump over the gate. Then the camera follows the group into the backcountry - it is clear that the WOMAN UNSUB is taking a leadership role and directing the group. They eventually end up at the area that the WOMAN UNSUB and HACKER MAN agreed upon. We see the men ski down an awesome slope - one at a time - meeting at their pre-arranged safe spot. The woman hangs back on the ridge and watches as the events replay themselves: there is an explosion which triggers an avalanche above the men - catching all four and burying them. When the snow stops the woman again skis down and finds a ski sticking out from the snow. This time instead of leaving straws - she leaves a plastic pouch filled with papers - then skis off. The men are left for dead.
CUT TO
INT. AVALANCHE CENTER (DAY 2 - MID MORNING)
BAU TEAM has gathered to give profile to STATE POLICE (including SGT DARBEN and OFFICER 1), SEARCH AND RESCUE PEOPLE, REPRESENTATIVES OF SKI RESORT MANAGEMENT, and KEY MEMBERS OF THE WINTER BACKCOUNTRY COMMUNITY.
JAREAU
Good morning. Thank you for gathering here today. I'm Supervisory Special Agent Jennifer Jareau and I will be leading off the presentation of the profile today. Typically this is a tool that is shared primarily with law enforcement, however due to the number and remoteness of areas in which these unknown subjects or as we.call them unsubs are operating - we are including representatives from Avalanche Search and Rescue, Ski Resorts, and members of the recreational backcountry community. Please note - if you are not in law enforcement and believe you have recognized an individual who is about to be described by the profile - please do not approach them or engage with them any more than you would any other stranger you encounter - these individuals are considered to be very dangerous and potentially unpredictable. We've provided you with a tipline number to call if you have any suspicions. If calling in, please identify yourself as someone who participated in the profile briefing and your tip will be prioritized. Finally, the profile we are sharing today is a tool for narrowing down potential suspects - while we expect it the description we give to be accurate - it is based on probability and guess work - therefore it is important that law enforcement pair the information in the profile with traditional evidence gathering and detective work.
PRENTISS
To start off - we have currently identified three fatal avalanche incidents that we believe were triggered deliberately - however we believe there may be other incidents that may be linked to these crimes - particularly last season. If, following our presentation, you feel that any avalanche accidents - fatal or not may be connected with this case we invite you to come forward. In particular we are looking for incidents where a woman left the scene or was injured or was believed to be killed but a body has yet to be recovered. We are also interested any avalanches that appeared to be triggered by a woman who was above other members of her party - or any avalanches in the backcountry where witnesses reported a bang or an explosion. Again - if you are aware of an incident that may fit this pattern please speak to myself - Supervisory Special Agent Emily Prentiss - after the presentation.
JAREAU
We'll now begin the profile - starting with the female unsub who has been at the crime scenes.
ROSSI
Due to multiple witness statements - we have shared a sketch of the female unsub - however as she is highly intelligent and will likely have started to adopt disguises in combination with the aliases she was previously adopting.
ALVEZ
This may include different accents and postures as she will be cautious after the last avalanche which she deliberately signaled to law enforcement was linked another fatal avalanche. Therefore it is more likely that she can be identified by her behaviour than by her appearance.
LEWIS
We believe this woman is what is often referred to as a psychopath - or in other words someone who generally lacks the ability to empathise or show remorse. She has demonstrated that she is willing to manipulate and/or hurt others to achieve her aims. She is likely extremely intelligent and may be described by those she's worked with as unemotional or even unwomanly. Although we.believe she can also choose to act in a way that makes her be perceived - especially by men - as ultra feminine. It is unlikely she has ever had a long term romantic relationship unless she perceived it would advance her goals.
JAREAU
While crimes by male psychopaths are often linked to sadistic sexual fantasy - we do not believe this is motivating this unsub. Rather, we believe that like some serial bombers - she a wound collector - someone who has been - or at least believes they have been - wronged and are executing their crimes as a means of revenge and/or as an impetus to inspire social change.
SIMMONS
This woman has used aliases that allude to major scandals perpetrated by men in the US military against women - indicating that she believes that the killing of these men some way balances the scales even though - or perhaps because - none of the victims themselves have served in the military. One theory we have is that the trigger for her revenge project is linked to the 2016 announcement about lifting the regulations against women serving in combat positions.
PRENTISS
There may also be a link announcement that there would be new coverage and a trial program for military personnel to freeze their sperm or eggs prior to deployment to help protect service members fertility. She may have seen this as too little too late if she had already left the military or she may have participated in the programs but not succeeded as she aimed. Alternatively or additionally, she may have been the victim of harrassment or abuse perpetrated by one or several members of the military.
ALVEZ
While this woman is unlikely to present herself as such now, we believe this woman has recently left military service. During her time in forces, she was highly regarded although she may have been frustrated by how her career progressed in comparison to men - there is a good chance that despite regulations baring women from some active combat positions - she would have volunteered to be as actively engaged as possible with the front lines. She is physically fit, strategic, and trained to use weapons and travel backcountry terrain. She is also organized and patient - willing to test and refine her methods to achieve her goals. So for example we believe that when she found that she could not precisely trigger a large enough avalanche using hand launched explosives like those used to trigger the Table Mountain avalanche - she stepped back and found a way to use existing avalanche danger mitigation artillery and targets to achieve a more reliably deadly disaster.
PRENTISS
Which leads us to the second member of what is now a sophisticated criminal team. Again we have been able to provide a sketch provided by a witness - however we believe it is that at this phase of the plan the male unsub is at a remote location to facilitate the hacking of the targets and artillery - in contact with the female unsub via a burner cellphone or some other secure communications technology.
LEWIS
We believe that this man likely has sub-par social skills - possibly thought of as geeky or nerdy - by friends and family. He likely works with computers and may also have a military background - although unlike the female unsub - his career was unlikely to have been successful and he may have been known as a discontented troublemaker with aspirations above his abilities.
ROSSI
We believe that the woman's project is still the major impetus for these murders - however the male unsub she enlisted to hack the artillery and targets - likely has his own seperate motivation that allowed the female unsub to manipulate her partner into participating.
SIMMONS
We have evidence that when speaking to her partner, the female unsub uses submissive language meant to deliberately build his ego and reinforce a belief that he is the mastermind directing the plan so that he execute the actions she requires to complete her revenge project
JAREAU
Unlike the woman, who is highly logical and unemotional, we believe the male unsub, while also extremely intelligent, is motivated by emotional triggers and is possibly aroused by the idea of "playing god" and triggering fatal natural disasters.
LEWIS
The choice of victim may also help reinforce his desire to be perceived as an uber masculine and in control of those he perceives as less than himself.
ROSSI
Currently he seems to be satisfied by the plan that he was invited into by the female unsub, however, he may become erratic or start acting independently if her mission is no longer meeting his needs or if a rift occurs between the partners.
SIMMONS
If this happens - we are concerned that either the frequency or the size of avalanches being triggered could balloon sharply.
ALVEZ
For now - backcountry access should be limited as much as possible to low avalanche risk zones and groups should be cautioned to not take on anyone new - male or female - into their party.
PRENTISS
If there is someone - male or female - asking to join an excursion especially if they are reluctant to take no for an answer, are being pursuave using their sexuality or story that is constructed in a way contrived to gain your sympathy.
SGT. DARBEN'S phone rings - he answers and flags PRENTISS who nods at JAREAU to finish the presentation. SGT. DARBEN and PRENTISS leave for a side office.
JAREAU
...such as offering proof that their best friend or partner were delayed or injured. Please contact the tip line to report the incident. This is the end of our presentation - thank you for your attention. The state police will be dispatching patrol officers to known backcountry gateways and will be supporting our search for the location of the hacker. However, while we underline the importance of not panicking, your vigilance and cooperation keeping the winter backcountry community safe is integral. Local media has been issued a statement which outlines these recommended measures to promote safety. Now - instead of general questions - we will be providing you with a specific contact based on your connection to the investigation. So, as SSA Prentiss has been called away - if you have any information about any potentially linked incidents - I invite you to come speak to my colleague SSAs Alvez over here. If you are in law enforcement and have a question about the profile - please come speak Agent Rossi. If you are a member of Search and Rescue - and have a question - SSA Simmons would be more than glad to meet with you. And if you are a member of the ski community - SSA Lewis or myself will be able to answer your questions. Thank you again for your attention and help in this matter.
CUT TO
INT. AIRPORT - DOMESTIC DEPARTURES
GARCIA is striding towards the loading area for a flight - her go bag is being pulled behind her and she is talking using her speaker phone to PRENTISS (so that she can multi-task and text and email ask she talks and walks - of course. Kids, do not try this at home!)
GARCIA (ON PHONE)
Emily? Have you heard the horrendously sad and awful news?
PRENTISS (ON PHONE)
Yes. I need you to arrange for a helicopter to get Matt and Luke and J.J. over to the new crime site as soon as possible with gear. They are just finishing up delivering the profile.
GARCIA (ON PHONE)
Already done - the whirlybird will be ready for pick up in 15 minutes - I just sent you the details - I'll just text them the number of Agents they should expect..
PRENTISS (ON PHONE)
Penelope you're gasping - are you alright?
GARCIA (ON PHONE)
Yes - just talking and walking - but I have to tell you something important - after the briefing last night...I started thinking that the only reason I would have turned up at that ski resort in person like Rossi and Matt said HackerMcHackerton guy did - would be either to set up or to test something on site! So I finally figured out the only way I can think of that creepy hacker dude could be doing this. So around 3 am I emailed my army tech contact and he just got back to me confirming that it's a got to be a purple hackdoor rig linked to a portable jammer probably operated by the woman unsub. I'm sending the team specs now - and instructions on how to detect the rig that we are betting they'll find at the resort - AND most importantly if they can find one - no promises - but it may make it so that I will be able to interrupt future attacks.
PRENTISS (ON PHONE)
Oh! That's great PG. Is there room on the copter for Rossi - so he can help JJ with the search for the rig while Matt and Luke head out to look at the crime scene?
GARCIA (ON PHONE)
Yepper doo... updating the pilot now. Also - in order for this guy to be able to build purple hackerdoor rigs - this guy had to have access to the target tech before it was deployed to where they have been located on the mountains - which means...
PRENTISS (ON PHONE)
...which means that the theory that the hacker has military experience is on the nose.
GARCIA (ON PHONE)
Yes! So I am running a search of ex-military men which could have had access to the targets to see if anyone rings any bells - and I'll cross-reference anything I come up with ex-military women and see if I get any joy. But one thing boss...I think I'll need to be onsite to hack this hacker...so - assuming I have your verbal approval - I'm about to get on a flight to meet you all. I just emailed you the paperwork.
PRENTISS (ON PHONE)
Approved. You're officially the best. See you in...
GARCIA (ON PHONE)
I got a direct flight so six or seven hours? I'll log onto the in-flight wifi as soon as I can but If you can't reach me - Kevin said he'd cover for me. Oh they are bording. See you soon boss!
CUT TO
EXT. PARKING LOT AT SKI RESORT - GATEWAY TO LATEST AVALANCHE ATTACK
ROSSI, JAREAU, ALVEZ, and SIMMONS have just landed. ROSSI reaches out his hand to RON SUNDERS - BACKCOUNTRY SKI GUIDE and MALA OWENS - ASSISTANT MANAGER OF THE RESORT.
ROSSI
Thanks for meeting us here - Ron Smithers? Mala Owens? Your boss was at the delivery of the profile this morning and recommended you both highly. I'm SSA Dave Rossi and these are my colleagues SSAs Jennifer Jareau, Mathew Simmons, and Luke Alvez. Mr Sunders - these gentlemen will be going with you to the crime scene and Ms Owens- myself and Agent Jareau will need your help to conduct a search for some technology that we believe the woman who is triggering these avalanches has hidden at the resort - then we will need to access your security camera footage and interview anyone who may have information.
MALA OWENS - ASSISTANT MANAGER
Anything you need. The State Police have been doing an excellent job of canvassing to see if the woman has need seen since the avalanche - but my understanding is that so far there has been no proof she returned to our resort. We had posted warnings onsite and closed the backcountry entry points early this morning - but either they went out before the gates were closed or like many backcountry skiers this group seems to have taken the warnings as suggestions instead of rules to be followed.
ALVEZ
The women who went with them can be very persuasive and has been able to convince many groups of men to do things they normally wouldn't. That said we'll see what see if we can determine what happened more precisely when we have a look at the gate and the log. Where can Matt and I gear up? Ron we've reviewed the forecast on our way over but since you know the mountains maybe you can talk us through the current conditions and the characteristics of the snowpack at the avalanche site?
RON SUNDERS - SKI GUIDE
Up this way. I'd be happy to tell you what I know - although some of it will be easier to explain when we're out on the mountain.
SIMMONS
How long will it take us to skin to the avalanche site?
RON SUNDERS - SKI GUIDE
45 minutes depending on conditions?
SIMMONS
We'd best get going then. We'll do a sweep at the top of the mountain before we head off - just in case the rig was left up there.
Rossi - JJ good luck - sounds like we'll be out for at least three or four hours.
ALVEZ
Here's one of the satellite radios - you'll let us know if there are any developments? Maybe...uh... let us know if Garcia arrives before we get back?
JAREAU
Of course. Good luck.
ROSSI
Be safe you two.
SIMMONS
Always. You too.
RON SUNDERS, ALVEZ, and SIMMONS head toward the lodge.
MALA OWENS - ASSISTANT MANAGER
So this technology you're looking for... does it pose any danger for our guests?
ROSSI
We don't believe so. Our Analyst believes it is more like a specialized communications device designed to work with a localized hack into Avalanche mitigation technology.
MALA OWENS - ASSISTANT MANAGER
Well that's something I suppose. Where do you want to start?
JAREAU
How about if you have a list of room numbers - I go check where she and the men slept last night and Rossi can check the common areas. We need to do this search as quickly as possible - there's only a handful of daylight hours left.
CUT TO
INT. AVALANCHE CENTRE
PRENTISS and LEWIS are looking at their case board. LEWIS is reading off a list of avalanches identified after the delivery of the profile as potentially connected to the case. So far they have ruled out most on the list.
LEWIS
Hmm what about this one? It was three weeks before our first identified attack in the lower cascades and a mixed group four men and women went out together - but one of the women was new to the group - Wanda Abigail Cutter... W.A.C. coincidence?
PRENTISS
Women's Army Corps? It would work...what happened?
LEWIS
The avalanche that was triggered was not very large and didn't hurt anyone - but the fellow who reported it today said that they had all been standing in a safe place when they heard a bang and snow to their left started to move. The witness also recalls that the two women didn't get along and that their usual ski partner was incredibly angry when the.two men sided with the new woman at one of the decision points - saying that they were not being cautious enough and that they were letting their - and I quote - little heads do their thinking for them. The witness disagreed with this statement.
PRENTISS
Well this one definately fits and I bet it was her first test run. Alright - let's keep going - I feel like there may be one more at the tail end of last season - something that was more of a trigger for her to take on a partner.
CUT TO
EXT. BACKCOUNTRY CRIME SCENE (DAY 2)
SUNDERS, SIMMONS, and ALVEZ are skiing the crime scene.
ALVEZ
It is almost hard to believe that somewhere so beautiful can be so deadly.
SIMMONS
Remind you of any women you know? Garcia perhaps?
ALVEZ
Oh I thank my lucky stars every day that all the ladies of the BAU are on our side.
SIMMONS
Truer words. Could you imagine if they teamed up for evil?
ALVEZ
We'd be screwed. Speaking of screwed I understand that there was no other way but the rescue team found have tracked things up pretty good - I'm not sure how much there will be to find.
SIMMONS
Ron to your knowledge there was nothing odd.like plastic straws in the snow or anything.like that?
RON SUNDERS - SKI GUIDE
Not that anyone told me. I do know they only recovered bodies. They didn't touch any equipment. You can see.over yonder - there's a ski pushing up through the snow.
ALVEZ
(HAVING CROSSED TO THE LONE SKI)
Matt come.here. She did leave something. A folder filled with papers. (OPENING THE FOLDER WITH A GLOVED HAND) Do you have any reception on your cell?
SIMMONS
No but I can use the satellite radio and update J.J.
ALVEZ
Do it. Tell her that we've received a manifesto and that the intention of the woman unsub is to move on from Avalanche attacks to more conventional bombings. We need to finish up here and get back with this as soon as possible.
CUT TO
EXT. ANOTHER BACKCOUNTRY MOUNTAIN SLOPE (DAY 2)
UNSUB WOMAN is skiing quickly across the snowy landscape - she stops to check her phone and we see she has no signal - so she skis on - there are a series of cuts indicating that she has travelled quite some way. The camera lands on her again checking her phone and this time she has signal - she calls HACKER MAN.
UNSUB WOMAN
A perfect job and our last, Handsome.
HACKER MAN
Of course.
UNSUB WOMAN
I'm heading cross-country as agreed..I should be at the highway rendez-vous in about three hours - you're on the road? You'll be there, baby? I am going to make you feel so good. Then move onto phase two.
CUT TO
INT. HACKER'S DARK OFFICE
HACKER MAN
Phase two is what I have been waiting for. I am on the road - I'll be there when you are and I know you are going to make it so I feel very good. It's been fun,.my dear. Good bye.
HACKER MAN hangs up the call with a stabbing motion. On his screen shockingly we see a candid picture of GARCIA and ALVEZ looking at one another and smiling. There is a list of information beside the picture (names, badge numbers, home addresses, etc.). On the other screen is map with a pulsing purple light - moving very slowly toward a red dot.
MATCH FADE TO
ROSSI TABLET SCREEN
The tablet shows a purple pulsating dot - an arrow - and a number 35.
CUT TO
INT. SKI LODGE KITCHENS
ROSSI is holding his tablet as a scanner - he is speaking into his phone. MALA OWENS - ASSISTANT MANAGER hovers anxiously.
ROSSI (ON PHONE)
J.J. we've finally got a reading. Meet me in the kitchen?
JAREAU (ON PHONE)
On my way - I'll let Prentiss know that we may have something. Last I heard Garcia has just caught the chopper - so she should be here in about 20 minutes. Matt and Luke are also just taking off their gear and will be down with the manifesto shortly.
We watch ROSSI follow the signal to a small cabinet lower by a back door used by staff going on break. He opens the door and finds a medium sized cardboard box which when he opens it he sees a black metal box which fills most of the box and has gently flashing lights on one side. ROSSI straightens up with a smile and speaks to MALA OWENS - ASSISTANT MANAGER.
ROSSI
I'm sorry to do this, Ms Owens - but we are going to have to clear this room so our analyst can assess the device.
MALA OWENS - ASSISTANT MANAGER
Well then Agent Rossi, it's a good thing we have a second kitchen - it being almost dinner and everything. (To the kitchen staff) Ladies and gentlemen - these fine folks need the room - can you please all head to kitchen 2? Carlos and Jasmine can you please offer everyone now who is seatee in the restaurant a free drink and explain that there may be a bit of a delay with their meals due to our kitchen one being out of order due to a flooded dish washer? Hurry everyone - you will be briefed over there on next steps. Let's go!
CUT TO
EXT. BACKCOUNTRY SKI SLOPE (DAY 2 - SUNSET)
UNSUB WOMAN is making her way across a slope. Anyone who is familiar with backcountry safety would be aware that she.is.at.riak being alone and also probably should have gone up to the ridge to cross to avoid potential avalanche risk - but she's.taking a short cut most likely because she wants to make the rendez-vous in good time.
Suddenly something detonates on the slow above her and a narrow but powerful avalanche is triggered. She is an advanced backcountry skiers through and is able to maneuver out of the path slowing up once she feels safe - but again an.explosion triggers an avalanche just above her - she skis again out of the path - but now she doesn't slow up when she's out of the path this time - realising she's in a game of cat and mouse with her so called dupe that she's clearly underestimated. Another and another avalanche is triggered. And the last thing we see as it fades to black is her abandoning her poles and skis and being taken over by snow and inflating her avalanche airbags.
End of Act 3
For some cool extra info about Avalanche Mitigation - here's a neat article about what is being done by Canada at Glacier National Park:
https/www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/glacier/nature/AvCon2
Thanks again for reading!
