Disclaimer: None of the recognizable characters are mine. I use them without permission and for no profit. I just like to let them out to misbehave.
A/N: The case JJ is referring to is "The Big Game" and "Revelations"
9:08am
NYPD Briefing Room
New York City, New York
JJ sat in the same hard, orange plastic chair as she had the day before now staring pensively at the whiteboard that summarized their leads. The NYPD had put a BOLO out on Laura Zybala and a press conference, which JJ would head, was scheduled for eleven. Still she stared, hoping that something would jump out at her, something would give them a better lead.
There was nothing. She knew it, the rest of the team knew it and yet she couldn't stop herself from staring. She wanted something to tell the press, something good that would keep them from thinking that the BAU was losing at their own game. She wasn't allowed to release the name of the midwife, not even as a "person of interest" because they all suspected that Laura Zybala would have enough money to disappear quickly and quietly.
"Gideon!" JJ called as her boss walked by the door.
"Yes JJ?" Gideon leaned against the doorframe.
"What profile are we releasing to the press?"
"Female, thirty to forty five, middle to upper class, some medical knowledge. Most likely a higher than average IQ, unmarried, no children of her own."
"So basically we're saying Laura Zybala without actually saying her name? Why don't we release a false profile. Try to lure her out by building her confidence, make her believe we're looking in the totally wrong direction? If she hasn't figured out that we've been to her apartment then she might not know that we're looking at her at all." Gideon looked thoughtfully at JJ for a moment, he was secretly proud at how much the young woman had matured as an agent since she'd joined the BAU.
"Come up with one and run it by me by ten," Gideon gave her a small smile and left her to come up with a profile.
11:01am
5 Penn Plaza
New York City, New York
"As you all know there has been a recent string of murders in the Alphabet City district where the target victims have all been very young infants. Thus far seven children have been found, six deceased and one who is recovering in the neonatal intensive care unit," JJ took a breath, all eyes were on her, she loved this part. "The FBI has come up with a profile of the individual we believe we are searching for, we would appreciate it if all of you would include it in your broadcasts or articles. The individual we are searching for is a white female, forty to fifty years of age, most likely a housewife," Reid went to step forward and correct JJ but Gideon stopped him, allowing JJ to continue.
"She is of average or slightly lower than average intelligence and likely lives in a lower middle class area. We believe she has likely lost a child of her own, which is her motivation but we also believe that she is choosing victims at random. Anyone who has any information at all is encouraged to come forward at this time, anonymity can be guaranteed if it is requested. I will not be taking questions at this time, thank you." JJ stepped down from the podium, ignoring the looks of bafflement from her coworkers.
12:40pm
NYPD Briefing Room
New York City, New York
"What the hell just happened?" Morgan demanded as soon as the team was seated in the briefing room, "Why didn't you stop her Gideon? That was completely the wrong profile!"
"JJ had an idea that I believed would be beneficial to try out. She purposely released a false profile in order to coax Laura Zybala out of hiding. If she believes we are not looking at her as a suspect then she may feel brave enough to try again. By the time I had approved JJ's falsified profile it was too late to fill the rest of you in," Gideon informed the team calmly.
"That's a bit of a big risk don't you think? We're going to have tips pouring in and none of them will be helpful because we're getting the wrong tips!" The deception wasn't sitting well with Morgan.
"If we don't get her soon, we're going to have to go back to the press and release the true profile. They'll lose all confidence in us," Emily was hesitant to demean JJ's idea but she was worried about the consequences.
"I get that guys, honestly. I'll be the one at the forefront of the assault if we do have to recant the profile and I'm okay with the idea of facing that because I really believe we're going to get her before it comes to that."
Spencer, who had been quietly watching the whole exchange chimed in, "She's right guys, if it happens that we need to release the true profile, all fingers will be pointed at JJ because she's the face and voice of the BAU. If she's willing to take that risk then I think we should all support her."
"Reid is right, JJ I admire your courage, I think everyone is just a little on edge about this whole case. Alright guys, lets get to work tracking Laura Zybala," Hotch effectively ended the conversation.
As the team filed out of the briefing room JJ called Reid back, "Thanks Spence. That meant a lot," JJ kissed him softly on the cheek and swiftly exited the room, leaving one very stunned Spencer Reid in her wake.
3:16pm
Mount Sinai Hospital - NICU
New York City, New York
"He was brought in forty five minutes ago by a rookie beat cop. She found him in a dumpster behind a Chinese food restaurant on Avenue D. From what we can tell he wasn't there long, but he also hasn't been out of the womb more than three or four hours," the supervising RN informed the JJ and Morgan. "Cops went upstairs to the apartment above the restaurant and found the mother passed out in bed. She's being tested for drugs to see what knocked her out."
"Thanks for you help," Morgan handed a business card to the RN, "If there's anything else please let us know."
The tension was palpable as the two agents walked down the sterile, white hallway. Morgan was still angry that there had been no discussion about releasing a false profile. He realized that JJ was the one who would face all the backlash but he didn't like that the team hadn't been consulted on the pros and cons of releasing a false profile. JJ was scared to say anything to provoke Morgan, knowing that he probably still harbored some resentment towards her over the case in Atlanta and her latest move had only made him angrier. Morgan's phone rang as they waited for the elevator, JJ bit her lip to stop herself from reminding him that cell phones have to be turned off in hospitals.
"Talk to me sugar plum," Morgan was obviously talking to Garcia, JJ prayed that the other woman had gotten them a lead. "You're sure? Excellent. Did you call Hotch? Thanks baby doll, you're the greatest." The elevator arrived and the agents stepped on, squeezing in beside an old man with an IV pole, a teenage girl in a wheelchair and an intern with an empty gurney. Morgan turned to JJ, "There's been activity on the credit card, everyone is on the way to the scene." JJ breathed a sigh of relief, her idea had worked and they were going to nail Laura Zybala. "Look, JJ...I'm sorry for jumping down your throat earlier, I just hate being left out of the loop."
"Don't worry about it," JJ smiled, "Let's just catch this one and put her away for good."
TBC...