It makes my heart at ease that we manage to save Heather before Timothy "Tim" Vogel could kill her. Of all the places we're planning to reunite, I wasn't expecting to see my dad again in flesh. It's a bit awkward especially his colleagues find out that I'm one of his secret daughters- well, daughter considering I was supposed to have a twin sister but she died after giving birth. To be fair, we put our feelings behind and focusing the case in hand. After the whole fiasco, Hotch wanted me to be part of their team but I politely decline it.
Want to know why? I'm already compromised and luckily I didn't screw up the last case with them. I need a fresh start and temporary staying with Phoebe and her husband, Steve. Living with them as I'm going to be a substitute Chemistry teacher in Arizona at Bradshaw College. ~Novilene Cruz
Bradshaw College ||Tempe, Arizona||
"Okay, class! That's it for today and make sure you do your homework!" The students cheered that they got dismissed early by their substitute teacher.
"Thank you, Ms Cruz!"
"You're the best!"
"We love you!"
Novilene chuckled and shook her head slightly at the students. She blames her best friend, Phoebe, for dragging her into this mess by teaching them in Chemistry. Phoebe always loves to brag her achievements and somehow got a job quickly by her. She's substituting Phoebe as she's on maternity leave because of her 8 months pregnancy. Erasing the writings on the board and remembered her students admire her penmanship because it's neat and understandable whereas some teachers writing it quickly. It's not bad for teaching teenagers seeing they are determined enough to pass this subject this year. It gives Novilene an advantage to get away from those crimes since she quit the job in the first place.
"Hey, Nov?" Turning around to see the blond man is leaning on the door with a smile on his face. "How's the job?"
"Completely different from what I used to do, Steve." Novilene answered truthfully and smiling at him. "I'll get used to it."
"Well... considering your first job is Doctor, next is the Police officer and now this." Waving his hand up and down. "Seriously? I actually thought you're going to work with Jason."
"Things change." Shrugging her shoulders and grabbing her things. "It's been a year and a half since... I just can't." Gripping her notebook tightly with a dark look on her face.
"Can't or won't?" He asks with a serious look on his face. "Novilene, BAU is a good job for you. You have Jason and the others to have each other's back."
"How did you know?" She asks and demanded answers from the blond man. "I don't want to join or working with them." Novilene mostly receives an email or message to Hotch, pestering her to join them and won't stop bothering her until she said yes. She's getting annoyed and is not pleased to find out Gideon didn't stop them from joining her.
"Your dad and is the former pupil of my grandparents." He gives her a deadpanned expression. "My God bless their souls, he told me about it."
Novilene sighs heavily and shook her head as they went out of the classroom. "They have a group of experienced and talented people. I don't want to be part of them."
"You're completely being in denial." Rolling his eyes and wasn't surprised by her stubborn attitude. "Anyway- are you investigating someone causing a fire?"
"Not interested." Novilene immediately answered and Steve groaned. "What? Just because I'm in thirst for solving crime and I have to become like Sherlock, always meddling an interesting case. The world doesn't need Sherlock 2.0, once is enough." Steve grimaced the thought of having another Sherlock would bring them nothing but chaos.
"Ugh! Don't you think there's a pattern here?" Steve asks the light brown-haired woman and she's looking at him curiously. "I mean, 6 fires in 7 months and Phoebe couldn't help but feel uneasy in this college."
"Look." She stops walking and facing in front of Steve. "Let the police handle it and solve the-"
"Wait..." Steve squinted his blue eyes and looking behind Novilene. "Is that, Jason?"
"Huh? What?" Novilene turned around to see familiar faces again, Morgan, Reid, Elle, Hotch and Gideon are here in the college. "No way."
"Hell way!" He exclaimed and grabbing her arms. "Let's see him. I haven't seen him for ages, hey Uncle Jason!"
Gideon turned around and slightly look shocked to see his daughter and her best friend are here. "Steve and Novilene, what a surprise to see you here. Where's your wife?"
"Fee is on maternity leave because we have a new addition to our family coming in, soon." Steve answered with a smile on his face.
"Congratulations, Steve." Gideon smiled, feeling proud to know Steve and Phoebe are having their first newborn baby soon. "You're going to be a great father."
"More like completely idiot father of the year." Novilene muttered and Morgan snickered silently. "You guys are here because of the incident, isn't it?" Changing the subject and Steve rolls his eyes.
"Always get a bottom for this." Steve spoke up and ruffling her hair. "I need to go. My break is going to finish soon and I'll see you tonight?"
"I will and for the last time, do not cook and I'll be dead early because of your food poisoning." Novilene gives him the glare and he just laughs. "It wasn't funny! I nearly died because of your charcoal roast chicken."
"Stop being dramatic and how come Fee likes it?" Steve questioned her and earned a whack. "Ow!" Hissing and rubbing his left shoulder.
"Do I look pregnant to you!?" She exclaimed and Steve smiled nervously. "You're giving me an early grey hair to you." Rubbing her head and the other's look amused by their banters.
"You're carrying a bottomless stomach." Steve dodges her punch. "Love ya! Catch you later!" Waving at them before leaving.
Novilene exhales and regaining her composure. "You haven't answered my question dad. You guys are here for the incident?" She asks them and wasn't surprised if the Dean called them first.
"Yes, and you knew as well." Gideon pointed out and Novilene remained silent. "Your hair is really short."
Her once usual long-waist hair length is gone because Steve tries to curl her hair but he burns it. Novilene slaps Steve repeatedly using the paper fan for damaging her hair and allows Phoebe to cut her burn hair. "A certain blond idiot insists to curl my hair and ends up burning it, Phoebe decided to cut my hair. Head straight and turn right, that's where the room was burned." She explained and turning her back to walk away.
Gideon grabs her wrist to prevent Novilene from walking away. "Wait, you're joining with us."
"I beg your pardon?" Novilene blinks her eyes behind the glasses. "In case you forgotten, I'm no longer a cop."
"You're not?" Elle asks and wasn't expecting Novilene resigning her job. "Cruz, you're an amazing cop."
"Past, was." Novilene corrected Elle and looking at Gideon. "You don't need me, dad. You have them." She doesn't want to join them for she fears losing someone she cares again.
"I ask his permission to join with us and he said yes." Gideon answered and Novilene's expression turned scowled. "Are you willing to disobey his orders?" Ignoring their confusion looks as Novilene knew this guy.
Novilene wasn't expecting he would seek Ethan's permission to join their case despite no longer working in the IMF or known as Impossible Mission Force. "Follow me." Leading them where the crime scene. She's going to have a word with Ethan once this case is already over.
"Who is this guy that you need to seek permission for, Gideon?" Reid whispered low enough for Gideon to hear.
"Her stepbrother. He's quite overprotective and the only guy who could push Novilene." Gideon whispered back and Reid nodded his head.
"Here you go." She stopped walking, allowing Hotch and Reid to investigate the place.
"Door was locked." Hotchner commented and stared down the side of the door.
"Matthew Rowland and his roommate watched as the doorknob turned against the lock." Reid explained and glances at the young woman. "Have you catching up to this, Cruz?"
"I did and in my defense... I'm doing this for Phoebe's sake because she's scared of stepping inside of the college. "Her gaze stared at the door in her cold expression. "But the Unsub couldn't get in. So she pours the accelerant into the room from the hallway."
"She?" Hotchner asked Novilene and she nodded her head in agreement. "What makes you think this unsub is a girl, Cruz?"
"Instinct and I know it's rare to have a female Unsub... it's hard to explain not unless I've been searching enough answers for this case." She coughs slightly and looking away from their shocking expressions. Novilene is not like Sherlock who would always pry their investigation.
"What if this instinct of yours is not she but he?" Novilene shrugged and didn't bother to defend her answers since she just involved the case today. "Which means he couldn't see the fire." Looking away from her.
"But he could hear Matthew Rowland screaming." Reid pointed out and Novilene nodded her head in agreement. He gave her an apologetic look that he's on his superior side which returned reassuring look from Novilene.
"Yeah, but not for long. He would have left quickly."
"Yeah, to avoid being spotted."
"It doesn't make sense." He stared at Reid in confusion.
"Pyromania as a mental disorder may just be a simple myth, but we do know from precedent that serial arsonists derive pleasure from pathological fire-setting." Reid explained and noticed Novilene stared at him in awestruck as he blushed slightly. She laughs nervously and clearing her throat.
"Sex and power." Novilene added and crossing her arms. "But a serial arsonist wouldn't just set a fire and walk away."
"He needs to experience it." Hotch pointed out and Novilene sighs quietly that she gets confused by the arsonist as they are as well.
"So why would he set a fire he couldn't watch?" Reid asked Hotchner and Novilene.
"I don't have answers but we'll keep looking for it." Novilene spoke up and stared at the two of their choosing clothes then sighing heavily. "You guys are practically good at choosing your outfit." She started to leave the dorm while the two men stared at each other.
"What's that supposed to mean, Cruz?" He asked curiously and Novilene stared at them in a shocked expression.
"You guys... are basically gaining a lot of attention because of your professional looks saying we're the FBI and going to catch a criminal." She said bluntly and adjusting her messenger bag while ignoring her grumbling stomach hoping they wouldn't hear it. "Try to look less professional."
The two men stared at her amused that they've been told the same thing from Gideon.
Novilene is staying with the others when she observed the burnt equipment when it has been brought by the Fire Inspector Zhang.
"He turned the water off just before the fire. The last 3 weeks were set with these. 2 devices, simultaneous ignition." Inspector Zhang explained to them.
"There was no device used on Matthew Rowland." Gideon pointed out and pushing himself up when he leans the table. "Unsub set that one manually?"
"He wanted to be there to enjoy the kid's death." Morgan suggested and Novilene biting her lips when she observed the burnt device.
"Not necessarily." Hotchner commented.
"Well, if the target was Matthew Rowland, then why set the other 2 fires?" Elle questioned and noticed Novilene's expression is different when she's thinking about the unsub.
"The motives for arson are relatively simple. There's vandalism, crime concealment, political statement... profit and revenge." Reid explained and staring at Novilene when she's in deep thought.
"We interviewed Matthew Roland's roommate. He said Matthew was very well-liked. No reason for revenge." Inspector Zhang spoke and Novilene blinking her eyes then stared at him.
"What about vandalism?" Turner asked them.
"No. the fires are too sophisticated, and if he's trying to make a political statement, he's not being too clear about it." Elle answered and Novilene grabs the burning object.
"There's an underlying strategy in this case." Novilene spoke up. "Matthew, firefighters, injured victims. To the Unsub, they're not people. They're..."
"Objects." Hotchner finished her sentence and she hums in agreement.
"More like..."
"Uh... chess pieces." Reid finished Novilene's thought and she smiled then agreeing with him.
"Exactly." She throws it straight to the box.
Novilene decided to be with Elle and Reid while sipping her black coffee. She doesn't want to be with Gideon and have another tension between father and daughter duo. Elle was quite pleased to see Novilene again to help her out, despite she's very well-guarded her emotions.
"The timer sets the road flare, which the lights the chemical mixture inside the canister. Simple." Elle explained to the young geniuses.
"Yet sophisticated in its simplicity." Novilene pointed out and smiling sheepishly when Reid was about to explain to Elle. He returned the shy smile whereas Elle is smirking behind the mug. "There's a meticulous construction to it."
"Chemical accelerant could mean chemistry student."
"Could also mean Chemistry Professor." Reid added and Novilene clearing her throat while she raises her eyebrows at him.
"You do know that I'm a substitute Chemistry Professor." Novilene spoke bluntly and trying to tease him. "Does that make me one of the suspect lists? Since I have a bachelor in Chemistry."
"What? No-no-no that-that was-was- not-not my-my inten-intention to-to accuse-accuse you, Cruz." Reid stuttered as Novilene giggling at his red face of embarrassment.
"Relax, I didn't mean to tease you." Novilene assured him and drinking her coffee. "This Unsub could be a student. You need the self-confidence to lecture in front of a classroom full of 30 college kids. Let me rephrase that, try dealing 51 students in one room back in the Philippines." Reid looked shocked to know the number of students in one room back in her country.
"Cruz is right." Elle agreed with her theory. "Arsonists are socially incompetent. This guy doesn't go on dates. He doesn't go to parties. He doesn't feel comfortable in front of groups." Reid stopped what he's doing with the broken device then stared at Elle. "And, of course, he's a total psychopath."
"Course." Reid muttered and looked down as he feels warm hands. Looking up to see Novilene's dark brown eyes gazing at him in gentle expression.
"From what my dad told me through emails about you... you're a different person and you came this far to capture criminals, Spen." Novilene spoke in a soft tone and squeezing his hand gently. "You have a brave heart and you're nothing like them... don't even think about it."
"Gideon told you about me?" Spencer asked Novilene and she nodded her head in agreement. "I didn't know about that."
"My dad can be secretive sometimes for different reasons. If it's any consolation, I don't go parties to have alcohol drinks because I'm allergic to it." She let go of his hands and seating next to him while Elle smiled seeing their interactions.
"You do?" Reid asked her in a surprised tone and realize she's calling her Spen not Spencer. "You called me Spen."
"Yeah, I did, anyway, my two best friends Phoebe and Steve decided that during my 18th birthday... we should be drinking alcohol since my mom and dad agreed to it because it was a weekend no class. The three of us decided to get drunk and the next day, I ended up a lot of red spots all over my body except my face." Novilene remembered their panicked faces when they sent her straight to the hospital. "I didn't know that I'm allergic to it and most of my family loves to drink alcohol."
"Boyfriend?" Novilene froze and Reid panic when he saw her body was tense. "Sorry- I-I-I-"
"Zack died in a year and half." She whispered and holding her key necklace tightly of remembering him.
Reid stared at her in sympathy seeing her sadness and finally understands why she's being a guard on her emotions and feelings. Elle can't help but feel sympathy towards her that she didn't expect Novilene had a boyfriend.
"Uh- guys, I hate to break this up but you need to see this." Elle called them up as they stared at the building to see it's been building next door was on fire in their horrified expression.
Novilene breathes heavily as she looks defeated like the rest of them. One of the Chemistry Professor Wallace is dead and one of Phoebe's friends. She doesn't even know how to explain it to her best friend, telling one of her friends is dead. Novilene couldn't even understand why the arsonist killed innocent people when Matthew Rowland and Professor Wallace. It drives her insane for not solving this case fast and wanting to have Sherlock by her side.
"The man who died today..." Novilene spoke up to gain their attention towards her. "His name was Professor Wallace and one of Phoebe's friends. I don't even know how to say it towards her, especially when she's pregnant."
"Is she still teaching?" Morgan asked Novilene and she shook her head slightly.
"No, she's on maternity leave and we both strictly told her not to step in the college without one of us." Novilene explained and observing the picture. "I became a substitute Professor until she is coming back to work."
"I think it would be best not to tell your friend about this for now." Hotchner told her and she agreed since having stress pregnant lady is not healthy for her and the baby.
"I wouldn't be surprised if she knows about this." She sighs heavily and leaning on the table right next to Reid.
"We've been at this all night, and we've got nothin'." Morgan explained and grabbing one of the pictures. "Look at these expressions. We got fear, a touch of horror, even a little bit of panic. Where's the guy gettin' off?"
"When asked about his motives, Peter Dinsdale said, 'I am devoted to fire. Fire is my master.'" Reid spoke out loud when he stares at the computer as Novilene starting to think of her theory.
"Okay, so who was our boy's master? 10,000 plus students..." Morgan lightens the lighter then staring at his teammates. "And one has a serious fascination with fire."
"Fire starting is one-third of homicidal triad... and early predictor of adult disassociative criminal behavior. If we looked in his childhood, we'd probably find all three. Bedwetting... and cruelty to animals." Elle explained to everyone as Novilene crossing her arms.
"Absent or abusive father, trouble with the opposite sex, chronic low self-esteem-M.O would be dynamic." Novilene pointed out and notice everyone stared at her. "Evolving, fire setting escalates, they thrive on panic, fear. It's just the standard profile of a serial arsonist."
"Based on hundreds of interviews." Reid spoke up.
"Based on precedent." Morgan added while playing the fire.
"Everything the Unsub should be, according to research." Elle pointed out.
"We're off the mark." Hotchner spoke bluntly.
"Because of the missing 2 elements." Gideon stated and stared at Novilene as she sighs softly.
"Sex and power- the 2 motives that drive a serial arsonist." She explained and furrowed her eyebrows. "And without'em, you guys do not have a profile."
"We, Cruz." Morgan corrected the young woman and she shot him a confused looked. "You're part of our team."
"I'm not part of your FBI, Morgan." Novilene retorted back and glancing at the pictures based on the burning room. "Wait a minute..." She stared at the destroying bulb.
"Is there something on your mind, Cruz?" Hotchner asked her seeing her usual cold calculative looked then noticing she's closing her eyes to imagine the scenario.
"Don't disturb her yet." Gideon told them and noticing his daughter is in deep concentration when she's imagining herself as Professor Wallace. "She's thinking and I have a feeling Novilene has the answers."
"Is she going to tell us who our Unsub is?" Elle asked and didn't know his daughter could be so genius at a very young age despite being younger than Reid.
"The Unsub drill the side of the bulb." Novilene opened her eyes and looking at them. "To put inside like gasoline or any flammable liquid when Professor Wallace turn the switch on-"
"That's the time when the fire started." Morgan interrupted her in a surprised looked that she can figure it out by a small amount of time.
"Exactly and I'm not sure if my theory is right or wrong." She placed down the picture. "What if one of the Unsub is a Chemistry student?"
"What makes you sure about that, Novilene?" Gideon asked his daughter and she bit her lips lightly.
"This Unsub killed innocent people without being seen and using his or her Chemistry knowledge to apply a bulb explosion." She explained and crossing her arms. "I've seen plenty of Chemistry teachers wouldn't do something like this and my bet is the Chemistry Student could be our Unsub."
"What if you're wrong, Cruz?" Morgan asked the young woman having doubts about the Unsub could be the Chemistry student. "The bulb part you told us is strongly accurate but the Unsub could be the students?"
"You can say that in my face to say I'm wrong. Right now, we have a meeting to meet the 4 graduating Chemistry students and Inspector Zhang." She grabs her messenger bag and leaving them alone.
"You know, Gideon, I don't even know how you manage to get a daughter like her that she's some kind of psychic." Morgan commented and staring at the older man when he wears the amused expression.
"She's intelligent and almost like a female version of Sherlock Holmes." Gideon pointed out and stared at his teammates. "We need to convince her to join us, she's going to be a great asset to us."
Reid, Hotch and Novilene are in the Chemistry lab together with the 4 Chemistry students and Fire Inspector Zhang. Hotch approached the two young people and decided to ask Reid a favor.
"Reid. Since you're more their age, why don't you do the talking?" Hotch asked him as Reid wearing a panic expression then glancing at Novilene.
"Novilene is younger than me. She can do the talking." Reid passed the responsibility towards the light-brown haired woman seeing she's more confidence towards himself.
"Spen, in case you forgot. Which I hope not, I'm not the FBI here." Novilene pointed out and squeezing his shoulder lightly. "I'll be here to help you out, I promise." Herself and Hotchner stepping back letting Reid talk towards them.
"Ahem. Hi-hi, guys. Uh, my name's, uh, Dr. Spencer Reid. I'm a, uh, Agent with the-the BAU, the Behavioral Analysis Unit of the FBI, which, um, it used to be called the BSU, the Behavioral Science Unit, but not anymore. They changed it to the BAU. Um, it's part of the NCAVC, the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime which is also part of this thing called CIRG, the Critical Incident Response Group, and-" Novilene couldn't help but cringe seeing the students are getting bored of his rambled then decided to help him out.
"From what Dr. Reid is trying to say." Novilene stepping up and patting his shoulder lightly. "We would love to know how you can help us." She held the bulb to let everyone see it. "I'm holding the bulb... I know how it explodes and can one of you explained how this bulb explodes before the fire started."
"Ms Cruz." One of the Chemistry students, Jeremy, raising his hand and staring at her. "If you know the answers, how come you seek our help?" The students murmured in agreement as she smiled sheepishly at him.
"There are times that I as a Chemistry Professor could be wrong and the students are often right, Jeremy." Novilene lied and she had a feeling one them could be the Unsub. She's trying to observe them just a little bit towards them. "Do you remember one time that Professor Dobrev gets a mistake when she computes the wrong equation? I was with you guys to observe and one of you corrected her?" Which earned her a chuckled or giggling from them that ease their tension down a little bit while Hotchner and Reid can't help but admire her that she could ease the thick tension.
"I did and Professor Dobrev was embarrassed at it. Can I give it a try, Ms Cruz?" Jeremy asked his substitute Chemistry Professor.
"Be my guest, Jeremy." She handed the bulb towards him.
"Thanks, Ms Cruz." He smiled and held it towards them. "See this? Drill a hold in the side, fill it with gasoline or whatever's good and flammable. Turn the light on, Boom. That is what went down, didn't it?" He asked them as Novilene can't help but nodded her head agreeing with his theory.
"The stuff's all over the net." Everyone turned around to see one of the Chemistry students, Clara Hayes, spoke up as Novilene staring at her in a curious expression. "Wanna know how to make a molotov cocktail that sets itself on fire? Potassium, sulfur... and normal sugar. Sugar-sugar, which is-"
"Not exactly plutonium." Jeremy intervened and Novilene can't help but feel suspicious towards Clara Hayes that she couldn't point it out why. "You could get this stuff anywhere."
"Sugar from the supermarket." She twisted her ring nervously and Novilene hums in agreement.
"But you don't need to be a chem major to know that." Hotch pointed out the female student.
"Do you think it's a Chem student?" Fire Inspector Zhang asks them.
"You wanna know what I think?" Jeremy questioned them and raising the bulb above his head. "I think... it would be a good time to take the semester off." He handed over the bulb towards his substitute Professor as Novilene shaking her head at him.
"Thank you for your cooperation and sorry for having a meeting this late. You may now dismiss." Novilene told everyone that the students sigh in relief that they have a short meeting instead of long.
Novilene cursed and rummaging her messenger bag then pockets that she has no keys. She smiled sheepishly at them and laughs nervously.
"I need to-"
"Ms Cruz!" They turned around to see Jeremy is running towards them. "I can take it from here." He pressed the key towards the elevator as it starts to move. "You need a key to get it movin' after 10:00 P.M"
"So what are you still doin' here?" Hotch asked the boy as Jeremy playfully glared at Novilene.
"I can't leave. We got projects because Ms Cruz gave us the hot to solve the 3 body problem? Computing the mutual gravitational interaction between the earth, sun and moon? Ms Cruz, can't you give us the easy one?" Jeremy pleads the teacher as she gave him an apologetic looked.
"I'm just following her instructions and it can't be that hard?" Which earned her a glared from Jeremy as she coughs slightly. "She's going to strangle me about this right?"
"We won't tell her, I promise." Novilene groaned while Hotchner stared at her in amused expression the same thing as Reid. "You two may be BFF but can't you help us just a little bit?"
"How about this." Novilene sighs heavily and rubbing her forehead that gained her a bit of a headache. She decided to help them out a little of their project. "We'll compromise this... your project is part of the exam, I'll have one to one with your groups and explain what you guys have."
"You mean-" He widened his eyes and hugging Novilene and she giggles in amusement. "I love you so much, Ms Cruz!"
"That would be your grade and once we finish the exam, I'll explain a few points to get your project correctly." She patted Jeremy's back and he pulls away. "Tell your classmates about this ASAP and never tell to anyone from a different class, got it?" Novilene gives him a pointed look.
Jeremy salutes Novilene for being one of the best Chemistry substitute teachers they ever have. "Yes, ma'am!" Trying to copy Novilene's British accent but it failed to cause her to chuckle. "Bye!"
"Be safe!" Novilene waves at him and looking at Reid and Hotch to see their amused expression. "I know, we've been there before. Some teachers won't do it but I wanted to make them a bit relax."
"We can tell your students care for you, Cruz." Reid commented and she smiles.
"Have you told your friend about Wallace?" Hotch asked the young woman and she nodded her head. "What did she say?"
"She's upset and worried about my well-being." Novilene answered as the three of them exit the elevator. "Phoebe understands why I'm keeping her secrets because I don't want her to get stressed. Especially when she's carrying the unborn child inside of her."
"Is she alone?" Reid asked seeing the blond man this morning when he's with Novilene.
"No, Steve is with her and he became overprotective after hearing the news." She sighs heavily and closing her eyes. "Hotchner, I can tell that you wanted to say something about me."
"Who is he that Gideon referring to? He seeks this guy permission before joining us." Hotch spoke up and wanted to hear an answer from her.
"My stepbrother is always overprotective. Some case hits me emotionally and I couldn't handle it anymore." Novilene is telling them the half-truth and never intend to reveal everything. "My brother is always there for me whenever dad always disappears." She smiled bitterly.
"You don't want to join BAU because of Gideon?" Hotch questioned her and she shook her head.
"Not because of him but I just- I don't want to do it anymore." Novilene whispered and walks on ahead first.
Reid feels worried about her and wanting to know why she's against the idea of joining them. Gideon had PTSD but he gets back because he's ready to be back on the field. Novilene just recently quit her job and move to Arizona to become a teacher. She's forced to help them because Gideon told her.
"Karen. I do this for Karen."
Novilene and the others are listening to the message been sent by the tech analyst, Penelope Garcia.
"Play it again." Gideon ordered them.
"The call came from the office right next to Wallace's 5 minutes before the fire was started." Morgan explained and Novilene tilted her head when she tried to listen to the message carefully.
"Karen. I do this for Karen."
"Again, louder."
"Karen. I do this for Karen."
Novilene frowned and chewing the lettuce food inside of her mouth slowly.
"What is it?" Morgan asked and noticed Novilene is thinking the same thing as her father.
"I'm not sure. Somethin' about it." Gideon answered and stared at his daughter. "Nov?"
"There's something wrong about it and I couldn't point it where." Novilene answered and finishing her salad then drinking her tea.
"Is this tape clean?" Hotchner asked the tech analyst when they're having a video chat with her.
"I can put it through some audio filters." Garcia explained to everyone and slightly nervous when she's going to face Gideon's daughter soon enough.
"Look, we need as close to the real voice as you can get, and anything that might be in the background. Can you do it?" Morgan asked the blonde tech analyst.
"Ok, you know how on Star Trek when Captain Kirk asks McCoy to do something totally impossible, and McCoy says, 'damn it, Jim, I'm a doctor, not a miracle worker?'"
"Hey, what are you tellin' me, not to expect a miracle?"
"No, I'm saying I'm not a doctor."
"That's my girl." Morgan chuckled as Novilene stared at Reid.
"Are they lovers?" She whispered in a low tone towards him.
"No, but I'm not surprised if they'll end up being together." Reid whispered back as she chuckled silently.
Novilene is sitting under the tree right next to Reid when she's gazing at the leaves in her serene expression while Gideon is pacing back and forth.
"What if the Unsub is one of the students leaving? Like what Cruz said?" Reid asked his mentor.
"No, he's not done, yet. He's not goin' anywhere." Gideon answered and smiled seeing her daughter in calm expression. "Keep thinkin'."
"You mean, out-outside the box?" Novilene stared at Reid in a curious expression. "That's what Morgan's always telling me. He says that's why I can never beat you at Chess."
"Well, he's probably right." Novilene spoke up and smiling gently at him. "You focus what's inside of the box but not the outside, Spen."
"You beat your father at Chess?" Reid asks in a surprised tone and Novilene nodded her head in agreement. "How?"
"My father beat me plenty of times when it comes to Chess." She chuckled and staring at her father. "I really sucked at playing Chess then he encourages me not to give up till I finally beat him the first time."
"It brings back memories when you're getting frustrated for losing the game." Gideon teased his daughter and she chuckled nervously.
"I was 9 years old at that time and you can't blame me for that." Novilene defended herself and unconsciously leaning on Reid's shoulder as he tense at the gesture then becoming relax.
"Cruz?" Novilene tilting her head and staring at Reid. "In this situation, what exactly is the box?"
"The standard profile arsonist. If everything you know goes in the box, what's left?" She questioned Reid.
"What you don't know. The unknown."
"Sometimes you have to get creative. Even if you think it's utterly unlikely, you have to think of things nobody else thought of."
"Like a stutter."
"Yeah, exactly." Gideon answered and leaving them alone as she hums then gazing at the sky.
"Can I ask you a question, Cruz?" Novilene stared at him in a curious expression. "Do you know why the Footpath killer stutter?"
"Footpath killer stutter?" She repeated the question and he nodded her head in agreement. Her dark expression appeared and he jumps in surprised to see her reaction. "Cr-Cruz?" Reid couldn't help but feel scared around her seeing the dark look and wondering what this Footpath killer got to do with her.
"My apologies." She stands up and wiping the dirt on her casual dress. "I didn't mean to scare you, Spen."
"That-that-that's fine, have you met the Footpath killer before?" He repeated the same question.
"No, but, I know why he stutter." Novilene answered and raising her arms to help him pull up. "Dad didn't tell me why... but he explained the experience what he's been through. I finally understand why the Footpath killer stutter."
"Can you tell me, why?" He accepts her hand and pulling himself up as she shakes her head at him. "Even a hint?"
"If my dad gives you this assignment why the Footpath killer stutter, it's not in my position to give you the answer." She smiled apologetic looked then glanced at her watch. "I have a class to teach so I'll see you later, Spen. Call me Novilene instead of Cruz."
Novilene sighs in relief when she slumps back the chair for finishing the exam and help students out. Her mind is already drained and wanting to relax at home and chill. Novilene couldn't do it since she's helping their case while teaching other classes which makes her tired out easily. Her phone rings to see Ethan is calling and she accepts it.
"Hey, Ethan. How are you?" She asks her older brother and hearing his chuckle.
"I'm fine and how's the case?" He only received a sigh from his younger sister. "I take it you haven't found the culprit."
"I do know the Unsub is a female Chemistry student and none of them excluding dad my don't trust me enough." She talked about her problem and noticing their doubts when it comes to her theory. "They're quite persistent to join their team kuya (brother)"
"They saw your potential the way I've seen you. Give them time and please do me a favor to accept their offer, sis." Ethan pleads at his sister knowing she's more stubborn than him.
"Ethan-"
"Zack wouldn't want you to push someone who cares for you, sis." She froze and stared at the table in sadness then playing the necklace around her neck. "I know it hurts but you have to let someone in. Zack may be gone but you always remember him in your heart... don't ever forget that."
"Am I being distance towards other people, Ethan?" Novilene questioned him and she already knows the answers.
"I would be lying if I said no." He sighs heavily and staring at the picture of himself, his half-brother and stepsister are smiling each other inside of his wallet. "It's been a year and a half, let people in your life. They agreed to let the BAU knows your file and it's also your decision when you are wanted to reveal your file."
"You're making my life miserable, Ethan." She groaned and shook her head slightly while Ethan laughs softly knowing he pushes her buttons slightly to change her decisions. "I gotta go and solve this message. I have a feeling that we're not looking for Karen but something else."
"Okay, good luck my baby sister. Take care of yourself and send my regards to the married couple and the unborn baby."
"I will, love you."
"Love you too."
She ends up the call and sighs then hearing another voice when Morgan sends her the message through her phone.
"Karen. I do this for Karen."
Novilene slams her head and already figuring it out the voice. How did she able to miss it that the Unsub is not doing it for Karen but for Charown. The young woman immediately fled the office to go meet up with others.
"Guys!" Novilene barge in and everyone looked alarmed as they're about to grab their guns, sighing in relief to see it's only her. She raises her hand to give her a moment to calm herself down then composing herself. "The Unsub is not saying Karen but Charown."
"Charown?" Reid asks and she nodded her head as Gideon barge in the room noticing his daughter figuring it out as well.
"Yes, Charown." Novilene repeated it and glancing at her father. "I do it because of Charown, not Karen."
"That's Hebrew." He pointed out towards the father and daughter.
"It's God's word in anger." Gideon added.
"Yeah."
"The motive is now religious?" Elle asks in disbelief tone as Novilene erase the writings on the board.
"Well, Brahman is fire in Hinduism, and the Jews see God as a pillar of fire, and Christians worship God as a consuming fire." Hotch explained while Novilene listens to their conversations as she wrote the religious name on a whiteboard.
"Maybe he's punishing the other students for their sins." Morgan explained his theory as Reid passed the salad towards Novilene by placing it towards the table seeing she eat less food.
"You can have this food, Novilene." Reid muttered and Novilene stared at him in confusion while writing the board. "You eat less food and I'm sure you're starving now." He noticed her eating portion is less than she usually eats.
"What about you?" She whispered back while Gideon smirked seeing his daughter is letting someone care about her.
"I don't want it." Reid answered and he already ate a lot of food.
"Okay." She shrugged and went back to write, ignoring his admiration of her neat penmanship writing.
"What- what's the most sinful place on campus?" Elle questions Morgan as he sent her disbelief look towards the other woman.
"Come on, Elle. When I was in college, that was everywhere." Morgan spoke in a blunt tone.
"A fraternity?" Hotch asks his teammates.
"A campus bar?" Elle suggested.
"No, cause that's not consistent with the previous targets."
"What about the idea of baptism by fire? Aren't we all supposed to be tested through fire in revelations?" Morgan question as Novilene finished her writing then facing towards them.
"Look, it's good, it's good, but let's... please do not jump to conclusions." Gideon told to everyone to gain their attention towards him. "Religion might be part of it, but it's not necessarily the prime compulsion."
"Gideon, rush to conclusions, jumps to conclusions." Morgan explained to the older man.
"Who cares? We are running out of time." Elle reminded them.
"Compulsion." Reid muttered and Novilene blinks her eyes then suddenly went to the computer to watch the video again while eating her food.
"This is crazy. Hey, Mac, get over here. You gotta see this. The building's on fire."
"Bro, you getting this?"
"Get out of the way! We should call campus security."
"Relax, man. There are always fires during rush week."
"Yeah, but that's pretty big. What building is that?"
"Dude, over here. Check this out. What is it?"
"I don't know, but it's coming underneath the door."
"Is someone in the hallway?"
"Hey, someone's trying to get in."
"Hey, man, you should get away from there."
"Oh my god, it smells like gas."
"Help! Oh, my god! Oh, my god!"
"Hold on, man!"
Novilene closes her eyes and blinking slightly when she rewinds the video again. She notices to see Reid is facing the whiteboard with the blue marker on his hand as Gideon leaning the door staring at them.
"Keep thinkin'. It's like chess." Gideon informed then Reid stared at his mentor. "Don't look at just the next move. Try to look 3 moves ahead." He leaves them alone.
"Spen." Novilene called Reid as she zooms in the video to see the doorknob move three times. "We're missing the part to see this."
"Where?" Reid asks as she played the video again. "The doorknob move 3 times."
"It's some kind of pattern." Novilene explained her theory. "What if this Unsub kills someone that has number 3 on it?" Her blood went cold as she remembered something. "My gosh, what if the Unsub kills Phoebe next, Reid?" She asks worriedly and couldn't bear to lose another person dear to her.
"Hey, hey, hey... calm down, Novilene." Reid comforts the young woman seeing her distressed. "Your friend's husband is with her and he won't allow anyone to harm them, okay?"
"Okay." She sighs heavily and leaning back the chair. "We need to go back to the crime scene again to search for some answers."
Reid opens the drawer and grabbing the schedules of the college to scheme through it. Novilene stands right next to him to see the schedule as well.
"Professor Wallace. Tuesday 3:00." He read out loud and seeing another person's name. "Professor Dobrev. Wednesday 3:00."
"That's Phoebe's class." Novilene pointed out and staring at him. "Phoebe has Monday 2:30, Wednesday 3:00 and Friday 8:00."
"Let's hope that your friend is safe, Novilene." He smiled slightly at her.
"I hope so, she's one of my best friends including her husband, Steve." She murmured as they grab enough evidence and went back to the conference room.
"We know why the profile never fits." They came inside. "You were right to tell Morgan not to rely on precedent. The fire thus far has been completely task-oriented." Reid explained to Hotchner and Gideon.
"So once they're set, the Unsub is done?" Hotch asks the two younger people.
"Exactly. The Unsub is not a classical serial arsonist. He's someone who uses fire because of a completely different disorder."
"Which is?" Gideon asks them as Reid stared at her since she knows what it is.
"An extreme manifestation of OCD known as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder." Novilene answered and crossing her arms. "She does everything in 3's, and if we're right, she'll have to kill again."
"She?" He stared at her daughter why she prefers the unsub she not he.
"Dad, I know this sounds insane and let's not discriminate the gender, okay? I have a feeling the Unsub could be the female Chemistry student unsub." She explains and seeing disapproving looks from Hotch as Novilene stared at him. "Sir, the last time I didn't follow my instinct- 5 years ago... one of my mentors died in front of me while I was been tied up as a hostage by the criminals for ignoring my instincts."
"Novilene..." He stared at his daughter worriedly that she was suffered PTSD before because she didn't save her mentor at that time.
"You need to see this first." She changed the topic and opening the laptop then clicking the video. "There's a form of OCD called scrupulosity."
"Religious obsession and compulsion." Hotchner added and she nodded her head in agreement.
"An obsessive fear of committing sin, which creates so much anxiety that he's compelled to do something to ease that anxiety." Reid explained to them.
"Like setting fires."
"Where's the behavioral evidence?" Gideon asks tiredly when he rubbed his eyes.
"Right here." Reid played the computed. "All right. Remember the night of the 3 fires? We saw the doorknob turning against the lock. But he's not trying to get in. He's compelled to turn the doorknob 3 times."
"Well, what about the fires? The first ones were single fires. If the unsub was OCD, shouldn't they have all been in 3's?"
"They were in 3's. A trinity of 3's." Novilene explained and didn't notice her phone was ringing on silent. "The first fire occurred on March third."
"3:00 P.M, the third day, third month." Gideon pointed out and she hums in agreement.
"It's that convergence of 3's that causes overwhelming anxiety. Obsessive compulsives ease the anxiety by performing the compulsion." Reid explained and Novilene thinks of someone of the Chemistry students could be the unsub.
"What about the other fires? Professor Wallace?" Hotchner questions the two young geniuses.
"Office number 3. We checked for more patterns of 3's. His class was on Tuesday."
"Third day of the week."
"Matthew Rowland was in that class. It was his third class of the day. If we look into each of the fires... we'd find a lot of patterns having to do with 3's because our minds are incredibly adept at seeking out patterns. But to the Unsub, once the pattern hits, bam-he sets fire." He rambled and clicking his fingers.
"But if the target was always people. Why did no one die in the first few fires?" Gideon questions them curiously.
"They were failures." Novilene answered her father's question. "Up until Matthew Rowland- oh my gosh, why did I slip it from my grasp!" She slams her hand angrily and Reid jumps in surprised at her sudden outburst.
"You know who the Unsub is, Novilene? You're right... it's she, not he." Hotch stared at her while hiding his shock expression.
"Who?" Reid asks them as he is confused just like Gideon as well.
"Clara Hayes." Novilene spoke in her grim expression then grabbing her phone to see Steve is calling her. "Steve, hey. What's-"
"Phoebe is there and she didn't listen to me." Steve groaned and couldn't help but worried about his wife and the unborn child.
"Ano? (What?)" she excused herself and leaving the room while ignoring their looks from her. "Why?"
"She left her laptop at the office last week." Novilene breathes heavily and clutching her dress tightly. "I explained everything to Phoebe that there is a killer on the loose and you grab it instead of her but she wouldn't listen to me. Please save them."
"Steve, I'll save them and get in here ASAP." She ends up the call then immediately trying to track Phoebe through her phone.
Novilene seeing Phoebe's tracking it until she heard the fire alarm then immediately calling her father.
"Novilene, where are you?" Gideon demanded where her daughter is as he could hear the huff coming from his phone.
"Dad, Fee is in the building and being the stubborn person. She goes alone without Steve." She running towards the stairs remembering they're on the fourth floor.
"She's alone!?"Gideon feels worried about Phoebe and her unborn child. It's dangerous for a pregnant woman to come to this building while there is a killer on the loose.
"Dad, we both know that Fee is quite stubborn..." She wipes off her sweat been showed by her forehead. "I found the location where Phoebe is. She's on the fourth building near the elevator from the third building campus across from us."
"Be careful, Mulan."
"Copy that." Novilene ended up the call and she already made up the fourth floor. She sighs and placing her gun behind her back and facing towards the girl, Clara Hayes, trying to throw the flare inside of the elevator with people inside. "Hayes, you don't have to do this, please." She spoke in a soft and calm tone.
"I have to do this, Ms Cruz." Clara spoke while holding the flare-up as Novilene step forward slowly.
"You know it's not rational, Clara. You were trying to tell me." Trying to calm Hayes down.
"God chose me to be tested, and now he's chosen them. If I don't do this, something terrible will happen." She explained to them and Novilene shook her head.
"What's going to happen, Clara? A flood? An earthquake? You know this isn't rational." Novilene spoke and glance behind her to see Hotch has her back.
"I know. I know. I know." She closes her eyes and holding the flare tightly.
"Please, resist it, Clara. You're a better person than burning innocent people." She spoke in a strong tone and stepping closer to her. "Do you think burning people will solve the problem? Including burning the mother with her unborn child?"
"Novy..." Phoebe spoke in a low tone and grateful she'll save them including her students and the unborn child inside of her womb.
"Ms Cruz! They must be tested. God's wrath-"
"Clara you told me it was the Chemistry student who burned the students. You left the message about Charown. Please, stop!" She immediately tackled Clara and stepping the flare to stop the fire.
"No!" Clara exclaimed as Novilene lock her arms back then handcuffing the girl.
"I can't let you harm more people, Hayes." She muttered and sighs in relief to see Jeremy, Phoebe, and the other students are drench in gasoline but they're fine physically. "I'm glad to see you guys alright."
"Ms Cruz!" The two students exclaimed and glad they stop Hayes to burn them alive inside of the elevator.
"Novilene!" She turned around to see her dad and Hotch approaching her. "Good job, kiddo."
"Thanks, dad." Novilene peered down to see a sheepish look from Phoebe. "Next time, you do what you're being told, okay?"
"Nice to see you too, Novy." Phoebe spoke sarcastically and rolling her eyes seeing she's getting overprotective like her husband, Steve.
Novilene is grateful that her best friend, unborn child and two students are safe and sound.
Novilene sighing softly while looking at the clear blue sky. The college was canceled for today because of Hayes and allowing both teachers and students to have some off. She didn't bother to say goodbye to them knowing her work is done for helping their case. Hugging her knees and bowing her head to enjoy a moment of silence.
"Novilene?" Someone called her softly and raising her head to see Reid. "Hey, everything okay?" He asks her worriedly.
Novilene looks shocked to see him. "I thought you guys head back in Virginia?" She stands up and dusting the dirt off her black trousers. "How did you find me?"
"I asked Steve where you are and looking for you." He sits down under the tree and looking into the sky. "This is a nice place."
Novilene follows the gesture and smiles. "You mean- you wanted to persuade me? Spen, you guys have more than enough experienced and talented Federal Agents. You don't need me." She spoke up while hugging her knees. "I'm already contented of my new job."
"I know you miss solving crimes." He spoke up softly and choosing his words very carefully. "I can see it in your eyes."
"It doesn't matter, my job is already over." She exhales softly. "I'm not ready enough-"
"Can't or won't?" Reid questioned her and she remained silent. "Novilene, you can still walk away and disobeyed your brother or Gideon's order but you didn't. If you're mentally not okay, you can walk away from the case."
"Why me... of all people? Is it because I share the same blood of my father?" Narrowing her eyes and looking at Reid in a cold expression. "You wanted me to join because of him?"
"What? No!" He exclaimed and they never think of her as Gideon's daughter but only herself. "It's not him. Hotch saw your potential and qualified enough to be part of our team."
"The world doesn't need me." She spoke softly and vowing herself not to join being a cop, Federal Agent or Spy Agent ever again. Novilene often loses someone she cares for and that's one of the reason why she quit the job.
"We need you." He didn't hesitate to hold her small warm hands. "If you ever close to have a breakdown, I'm- I mean we're here for you. Please... just give us a chance." Trying to swayed her mind to join them.
Steve suggested the idea of someone who's close to Novilene's age should change her mind, it happens to be Reid. He's reluctant the idea of him speaking to his mentor's daughter especially she has a sharp tongue. Reid is terrified of speaking Novilene especially she's a woman and barely know her. She's also a type of person who doesn't want to attach to new people easily rather analyzing them by her cold dark brown eyes.
"Let's just say, I'll give it a go-to join. What if I already compromise or hating it?" Novilene asks him curiously while hugging her legs.
"You can quit and Hotch would understand." He smiles gently and placing his hands on her shoulder. "Like I said, we didn't treat you differently because you're Gideon's daughter."
Novilene sighs heavily and didn't expect they're more stubborn compared to her. "Okay, I'll give you guys for two weeks. I'll tell you my final decision, to stay or retire." Giving him a bargain in exchange for joining their team.
"Deal." They shook hands as a sign of agreement.