The Jason Gideon Detective Agency

Chap. 3-Answers

1200 Hours

Boston Navy Yard

Boston, MA

Spencer and Caroline arrived back at the Navy yard as Morgan was leaving to get lunch. After taking their sandwich requests, Spencer and Caroline head inside to find the team and Lt. Mackenzie gathered around the meeting room. They hurry in and take their seats, settling in quietly to the sound of Hotch's voice.

"Thanks for getting back so quickly. I hate to suggest a working lunch, but we need to get a profile started." Caroline shrugs, and speaks.

"What exactly is a profile?" Spencer replies.

"It's a summary of what the psychological, emotional and physical attributes of a suspect might be."

"I see. But what about the DNA? Doesn't that make a profile kind of redundant?" The others glance at each other before Hotch speaks.

"What did you two find in the DNA samples?" Caroline looked up at him and replied.

"Well, the first one was a match to Gunnery Sergeant Perez's hair sample that his parents provided. The second one was a sample that we-I-obtained from the Navy Investigator people. It was female DNA." The room fell silent, and then Hotch speaks.

"That might mean something. Have you spoken to the NIS about this?"

"Not yet. I was going to meet with Lt. Mackenzie after lunch."

"Ok. We are still going to do a profile. I don't think a woman could have committed the recent murder, and Perez is still missing." Caroline nods.

"Well, just let me know how I can help, then."

Just then, Morgan returns as Caroline excuses herself to make a phone call and speak to the Lt., who had himself returned from lunch. About fifteen minutes later, she returns and settles back in to her seat, before addressing Hotch.

"Agent Hotchner, sir? I'd like a few minutes when you have some free time."

"Sure, Ms. Steinberg. After lunch, let's all take a few minutes to share what we've found."

"Great. Thanks." She begins to eat the sandwich that JJ handed her when she'd come in, and it falls silent in the room as the team eats lunch. Morgan chuckles lightly, and six heads rise and look at him questioningly. He speaks to Caroline.

"You got a problem with the salami?" She makes a face, and nods.

"It's just-this deli isn't Kosher." She continues pulling the round pieces of meat off of her bread and handing them to Morgan, who ate them quickly. Spencer shook his head, and JJ giggled, and soon, everyone was caught up in conversation.

A few minutes later, a loud knock at the door snapped them back to present. Spencer and Caroline, who had been sitting close, chatting about the books that Spencer had noticed in her office, looked up guiltily. Hotch spoke loudly, sweeping the various sandwich wrappers and chip bags into the trash as he did.

"Come in." It was Lt. Mackenzie.

"The body of Gunny Perez has been found." A gasp went up, and Caroline stood up quickly.

"I should phone the Perez's. And probably Gideon."

"Mr. Gideon is here." Caroline stopped, and they all stared at the Lt.

"Really?"

"Yes. Apparently, it was your people who found him."

"Ok." She continues to follow the Lt. out of the room, and it remains silent. After a moment, Hotch speaks.

"I will speak to him. Please have the skeleton of a profile ready." He stood and exited the room as the others shrugged, but pulled out their files and notebooks, and began to talk about a profile.

Meanwhile, in the Bullpen, Hotch could see the young woman's brown hair as he approached the desk where she stood, talking animatedly to the Lt. and his old boss. Gideon raised his gaze, and noticed Hotch, and raised his hand and smiled, gesturing the man over. Hotch approached.

"Aaron. It's nice to see you."

"Likewise." The two men regarded each other for a moment, before Gideon returned his gaze to Caroline.

"I'm sorry, dear. Can you repeat that?" Caroline changed her tone to be slightly annoyed.

"Yes, I said that Dr. Reid and I discovered that the DNA sample that NIS sent us is a match to Petty Officer Johnson's." Hotch looked surprised.

"Neither you or Dr. Reid relayed that."

"That's what I had wanted to discuss with you, actually." He nods.

"Oh. Well, Petty Officer Johnson in not the unsub. A woman could not have done this. Particularly a small one."

"Well, maybe she knows who did it. All I know is that her DNA was found under Corporal Taylor's fingernails. Maybe they're lovers. Maybe she was the perps accomplice. I don't know, and I don't pretend to. I just know what I know."

"Caroline, I tend to agree with Agent Hotchner," replied Gideon.

"Well, that's fine. But then why are you here?"

"We are still on retainer for the Taylor case, and Perez's, as well. In fact, Mr. and Mrs. Perez just showed up." Caroline looked saddened.

"I can't tell them that their son is dead." Gideon sighs, but nods at her, and places his hands on her shoulders.

"Caroline, you can. You will. It will be hard, but it's part of the job." The girl nods, and turns to Hotch.

"If you need me, I'll be in the Officer's meeting room with Mr. and Mrs. Perez." He nods, and watches the young woman slink off towards the older couple, her usually perfect posture now limp and dejected. Hotch looks at Gideon and speaks.

"Are you really going to make her do this?"

"I really am. This is her first case. And she's quite capable."

"That's true. But even I dislike telling families that their son is dead."

"No one likes it, Aaron. But it must be done. I am confident that Caroline can do it, and likely with much more tact than anyone else could muster."

"I suppose. What brings you here?"

"Do you have a profile yet?"

"We've started a preliminary one, yes."

"I would like to hear it. I need to give these families something." Hotch sighs, but nods.

"Ok. Come sit in with us."

"Thank you." He follows Hotch back to the meeting room, and is greeted with stunned stares as he enters.

"Hello, again, everyone." Most of the team nods and smiles, and then Hotch introduces Rossi.

"Dave Rossi, this is Jason Gideon, formerly of the BAU. Jason, Dave Rossi. He came in after you left us."

"Nice to meet you." Gideon stood in a corner, quietly staring ahead at Hotch and JJ, who took their usual spots in front of the room, addressing the group. Hotch spoke, summarizing the facts at hand.

"So, we know that the unsub is male, extremely angry, and has access to the base, if not a service member already. Lt. Mackenzie believes that the military would have caught someone if he was suffering from mental distress, so he believes that it is likely a contractor or civilian employee. Finally, Reid and Steinberg discovered female DNA from the body of the most recent victim, and have been able to connect that to Petty Officer Johnson. However, neither I or Gideon believe that she is the unsub, or at least, is not the only unsub." Morgan nods, and Rossi replies.

"So basically we're looking for a well-built, angry civilian contractor. But why the male victims?"

"That's the missing piece." Then, Spencer cleared his throat.

"Actually, Car-uh, Dr. Steinberg had a theory about that, too. In the dossier. She thinks that the unsub, though she called him a perp, was targeting men who were flirting with a girl he likes." Prentiss shrugs.

"Makes sense. We've seen it before." Morgan nods in agreement.

"Hotch, the kid has a point. You have to admit that that is a heck of a lot better than anything else we've come up with. And that would explain the female DNA on the body-maybe the victim slept with the woman, and so the unsub killed him."

Hotch sighed, but nodded.

"Ok. I think that's plausible. Let's present this, then." They stood, and hurried to the Bullpen. Hotch located Lt. Mackenzie, and informed him that they were ready with the profile and could present to the MP's and NIS people. A few minutes later, the team was gathered in the Bullpen, along with three MP's, two investigators from NIS, Gideon, and Dr. Steinberg, who appeared to have been crying. Hotch was informing the MP's that they had a profile, and what that meant.

"A profile is basically a blueprint telling us how and why someone commit's a crime. For example, if a body was found mutilated and showed signs of sexual assault, we'd profile the perpetrator as a sexual sadist, a loner, and possibly suffering from untreated mental disease." The MP officers nod, and he continues.

"So, what we are looking for is a male. Probably someone who is large in stature and has a history of anger-management issues or violence, likely against a spouse or significant other. He likely has a history of child abuse, as well. He is likely a contractor or civilian employee. Finally, we believe he is killing men that are romantically linked to a woman he is fascinated with. So someone who is a ladies man. We did find some female DNA, and my people are currently waiting on the results of that from the independent lab. We will relay it to you when we receive it." A female MP in desert fatigues raised her hand.

"How do we know it's a male?"

"The brutality of the crimes, and locations of critical wounds tells us that a woman could not have committed a crime like this. Female serial killers, no matter how physically strong, generally have too much empathy and guilt. Even though there are a such thing as female killers, their MO's are different, victim logy is different, and how the body is disposed is also different. We are very sure that the suspect is a male." The woman nodded, seemingly satisfied with that answer, and the two MP's excuse themselves. Caroline spoke to Hotch as the others disbursed.

"You didn't tell them that the DNA sample was a match to Petty Officer Johnson. Shouldn't she be questioned?"

"I'm not comfortable releasing that to anybody yet, not until the independent lab has done their assessment." Caroline raised her eyebrows, and clicked her tongue.

"Well, I think you will find that my test is accurate."

"I'm sure there will be no problems." Gideon had joined the conversation, flanked by Spencer, who was trying not to stare at his former boss and mentor. Gideon spoke before anyone else did.

"Dr. Steinberg, how did it go with the Perez's?"

"They're heartbroken, of course, but I think they're just even more resolved to find out who's doing this." Gideon nods.

"Great. Thank you." She nods, and steps sideways, away from the three men. She turns quietly away, and heads down the hallway towards the meeting room. Spencer starts to follow her, but is interrupted by Morgan. He approaches Spencer, a smile on his face.

"Hey, Reid. What's up with you and Dr. Steinberg? You two looked cozy in there earlier." Spencer rolled his eyes, and shakes his nothing.

"Absolutely nothing is what is going on, OK? We were just talking."

"Ok. Well, what is she so upset about?"

"I'm not sure, something about Gunnery Sergeant Perez, I think. I was just going to ask her if she wanted to talk about it."

"Good idea." Spencer sighed, and Morgan chuckled.

"Good luck, kid." They parted, and Spencer strolled down the hallway towards the meeting room. He entered quietly, finding Caroline with her head in her hands. He sat next to her, careful to keep himself a safe few feet from her, and spoke.

"Are you OK?" She lifted her head and smiled, her glasses smudged from her fingers. She sighed, and pulled them off, wiping them on the blouse she wore, having discarded her suit jacket on the chair next to her.

"Does it ever get any easier?"

"What?"

"Telling a mother that her oldest son was found dead this morning." Spencer sighed, and shook his head.

"Unfortunately, no, it doesn't. I can't believe Gideon asked you to do that. He should have asked someone with a bit more experience. Like JJ." Caroline shakes her head, and puts her glasses back on.

"I can do it. I just wish it wasn't so hard." He smiles lightly, and reaches out instinctively, putting a hand on her back, and rubbing slightly. She smiles lightly, and it falls quiet for a few moments. A little while later, a cell phone rang, and Caroline sighed. She reached into the bag at her feet as Spencer stood up.

"I should go, I'm sorry for interrupting."

"No, it's alright. It's just Jill, Gideon's assistant." She flips open the phone, and smiles at Spencer as he leaves the room, cursing himself for touching the woman. He can hear Caroline's voice, and her soft Bostonian accent floating around him, but can't really understand her words, as she is speaking fast, and using a lot of PI jargon.

A little while later finds Spencer and Gideon alone in the officer's meeting room, talking.

"You left only a note."

"I left it for you. I knew you'd understand, and I was certain you'd be just fine on your own. And look, I was right. You seem more confident, more mature." Spencer nodded.

"Why didn't you just say goodbye?"

"It was a split decision."

"OK." They are interrupted by Hotch and Rossi, who come bursting in.

"Prentiss and Morgan have a lead. And the DNA sample has arrived." The two men look up, and Spencer speaks.

"What did the DNA results say?"

"Exactly as Ms. Steinberg said. It is a match to Petty Officer Johnson. We need to figure out how she fits in." Gideon interjects.

"Oh, I have that under control. My assistant, Jill, used to do special Ops for the CIA. She's going to help Caroline out, and she will infiltrate Petty Officer Johnson's social world, gain her trust, and see if we can get her talking." Hotch nods.

"That might work, actually. Morgan and Prentiss are with Lt. Mackenzie, interviewing the lead now. Gideon, I want to send Ms. Steinberg with Reid to get the DNA results from the City's lab, is that OK? I think it's a good idea if it's handled by as few people as possible. Dave and JJ are going to sift through files, and JJ is also preparing a media statement. I have to go meet with some Admiral about this case."

"If Caroline doesn't mind, I don't see any reason why she shouldn't be able to assist Dr. Reid. I myself am heading back to the office. I want to prepare our undercover kit for Ms. Steinberg." He stands, and speaks to Reid.

"Let's finish this chat later. It was good to see you again." Spencer nods as the man exit's the room. Hotch looks him over, and speaks.

"Are you ok, Dr. Reid?"

"Yes."

"Let me give Ms. Steinberg her assignment, and then you can head out, OK?"

"Great." Hotch leaves the room, leaving Rossi to stare questioningly at Spencer before speaking.

"I have heard how Gideon left. He left a note behind, addressed to you. Left it to you to inform the others?" Spencer nodded. "You know, Gideon and I were in the Academy together. We were taught old-school. He knew that by pushing you, who everyone else perceived as the weakest link, whether it is true or not, he could build you up, make you a better agent, more sure of yourself. I think he succeeded."

"I understand. Thanks, Rossi." Rossi nodded as Spencer left and JJ entered. Spencer finds Hotch and Caroline standing outside the meeting room. Caroline seemed annoyed, and Hotch appeared to feel the same. Spencer could hear Caroline speak.

"You know, statistically, your profile could only be correct about 97% of the time. Have you considered that maybe you're wrong, and the perp could actually be Heather Johnson?" Hotch sighed, and retorted in a tone of voice that Spencer recognized meant that his boss was about to blow his stack.

"Perhaps you should leave the statistics to Dr. Reid, and do as you were told, and help the Navy to talk to the local police. We know what we are doing, and we really don't need the opinions of some PI's getting in our way." Spencer raised his eyebrows, and moved a little closer.

"Fine. After I return from the lab with Dr. Reid, I will remove myself from this case." She turned and entered the meeting room, and Hotch sighed loudly, glancing up at Spencer, and shaking his head. Spencer smiled lightly, and raised his eyebrows again.

"Hotch, is there some reason why you are so antagonistic towards Dr. Steinberg?" Hotch sets his jaw, but then sighs again.

"She's a child, Dr. Reid. And her immature could be a liability. We are working with the United States Navy, for Chrissake, and she's in here crying because Gideon was mean to her," Hotch's tone was a little sarcastic, and Spencer winced.

"You know, when I first started with all of you, I was only a year older than Dr. Steinberg. Did you know that she used to teach at MIT? She's really incredibly smart, and quite skilled in the lab. As for the tears, I admit that I have never seen an FBI agent crying, with the exception of Garcia when we thought that Morgan had been killed, but Gideon had asked her to do something difficult, something that even I haven't done yet. He asked HER to inform the Perez's that we'd found their son's body." Hotch shook his head.

"You're right. I guess I should apologize, huh?"

"Yeah. She was right about the DNA thing. I think she's wrong about Ms. Johnson being the unsub, but I think she has good insight."

"I agree. I think I will speak to Gideon; she's only a child, and there are some things that you young ones just shouldn't have to do." Spencer shrugged, and followed him into the meeting room, where Caroline was pacing, her back to them. Spencer spoke.

"Dr. Steinberg?" She gasped, and whirled around.

"Oh, hell. You scared me. I didn't hear you come in. I am supposed to go to the lab with you." He nods, but indicates Hotch, who inhales, and speaks.

"I, um, I need to offer an apology, Dr. Steinberg. I think I overstepped my bounds out there, and I do understand and appreciate your insights. It's not necessary for you to remove yourself from this case unless you want to." Caroline stared hard at him for a few moments, then nodded, and sighed.

"Thank you. I accept your apology. I will stay on, but please, really. If I am in the way, tell me, and I can find something else to do." Hotch smiles, and nods once, then excuses himself to the young people. Caroline turned to Spencer, her brown eyes flashing. "As for you, Dr. Reid. I can fight my own battles, thank you." He looks at her, surprised.

"What are you talking about?"

"I saw you and Agent Hotchner in the hallway, talking. I assume that his apology has to do with whatever it is you said to him." Spencer blushes, and looks to the floor.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Steinberg. He was just wrong, and he needed to know it." Caroline sighs again.

"It's Ok. Now, Gideon told me this morning he wants me armed from now on, but I can't figure out how to secure the belt holster. Do you know how? I have only carried a firearm once before, and I used a shoulder holster." He nods, and begins helping her to secure the gun belt around her waist as JJ walks in. He has his hands around her waist, coming at her from behind, and laughing, their eyes on each other.

"Wow, what's going on in here?" Spencer looks guiltily at JJ, who smiles and shakes her head as Caroline rolls her eyes. He drops his hands quickly, and steps back as Caroline speaks.

"Nothing. Dr. Reid was showing me how to secure this thing. Apparently, my boss thinks it's a good idea if I am armed. Even though I am on a military base, and surrounded by six FBI agents. I think I'm in the safest place on the planet." JJ giggles.

"If you say so. Spence, Hotch wants you two to go and get back; Em and Derek are heading back now." The young man nods, and turns to the equally red-faced young woman at his side.

"Are you ready, Caroline?"

"Yes, of course." The two exit the room, carefully arranging themselves to exit a few feet behind the other, Spencer leading the way, and avoiding each other's gazes until they are safely ensconced in the same car they'd used earlier to go to the lab. Caroline speaks, her voice grumbly and low.

"Do your co-workers usually meddle in your life?"

"Just JJ."

"Oh. Tell me more about her. She seems so nice, though I only talked to her for a moment." He grins, and tells Caroline about the agent that he considers more like a friend and sister than a coworker.

"Well, she's very nice, that's true. But it's so real. She's just truly nice. It's not like a fakey-nice thing, you know?"

"I think I know what you mean. Does she have a family?"

"Yeah. She has a partner, Will, and they had a baby a little while ago, Henry."

"Oh. I bet he's cute."

"He is. How about you? Do you have a family?"

"Um, well, my parents live in Camden now. My father retired last year, and they moved there." He nods as she continues. "As for me personally, I have a cat." Spencer laughs. "How about you?" He sighs.

"My parents live in Las Vegas. I see my Mom occasionally still, but my father left when I was six. As for me, personally, I am single. I don't even have a cat." Caroline chuckled.

"I'm sorry about your dad. But really, you should consider getting a cat. Or a fish. You don't have to really care for them, they don't need walks, but it's something to talk to besides a wall." He grinned.

"I will consider it. Thanks."

"Sure. I have to admit, though, that I didn't get a cat until last year. It's actually Josh's cat, my brother I was telling you about." Spencer looks at her, having parked at the city's Crime Lab in Jamaica Plain.

"It's a terrible way to lose someone. I'm sorry. Was he an older brother?"

"Yes. He was five years older than me. He and Ruth, that's his wife, had just gotten married, and they were trying for a baby." He brushed some hair out of her face and she smiled. "You might not want to touch me anymore. I think people are getting the wrong idea." He smiles.

"I think you're right." They climb out of the vehicle and enter the building. It is a matter of minutes before Spencer has convinced the secretary that he really is an FBI agent, and they were escorted to an anteroom. A tall Hispanic man entered the room a few minutes later.

"Dr. Steinberg. Agent Reid. I am Dr. Martin Flores."

"Nice to meet you." The man hands Spencer a file folder.

"Here you are. Good luck." Spencer smiles.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome." He turns and exit's the room, Caroline staring in bewilderment after him.

"Well, so much for me coming along."

"I think Hotch might have just wanted us gone for a bit. I think he gets nervous when statistics start flying." Caroline giggles.

"Well, I guess we should get back, though, huh?" Spencer nods, and follows the woman out of the room and back outside. They chat lightly on their way back to the docks, Spencer telling her about the other agents, and Caroline telling him about her co-workers. Once they arrive back at the Navy building, they hurry inside, Caroline clutching the file folder. They settle into the table in the meeting room, and Hotch speaks to them.

"Thank you both for picking up the sample. That will be helpful. Dr. Steinberg, Gideon needs to speak with you immediately after this meeting." The girl nods, and settles back as Prentiss and Morgan relay what they had discovered.

"So the MP's found a contractor that fits the profile." Morgan begins to tell them about the man they'd interviewed.

"His name is Walter Paul. He works for the Navy as a contractor, fixing airplanes." Prentiss nods, and continues.

"Garcia confirmed that he has an ex-wife, who had reported him to the police for spousal abuse. He also has a history of abuse from his childhood home, apparently, his mother would lock him in closet for days on end." Caroline inhaled sharply, her brown eyes filled with sympathy. Prentiss nodded again. "Yeah, it wasn't pretty. Finally, we found out that he has a reputation here in the dockyard for being a ladies man; he spends most of his time out of work in bars and chasing women." The others nod, and Hotch speaks.

"Great work. Thanks, guys. I need two volunteers to help Gideon and Ms. Steinberg here this evening for an undercover stint. Apparently, Ms. Steinberg, you are going to go undercover, sort of, and see if you can get Heather Johnson talking, OK? Rossi, Morgan, Reid? We need a male." The three men exchange a look as Caroline splutters.

"My boss has lost his mind." She stands, and excuses herself as she pulls her phone out of the pocket of her suit jacket, and speaks into it as she enters the hallway.

"Jill? Tell Gideon to get here now." The door doesn't close all the way behind her, and the team listens to her end of the conversation. "I don't care if he's meeting with Jesus. I need him to call me. Right now. No, Jill. He wants me to do an undercover op, get friendly with some female suspect." She pauses again, and sighs deeply. "Fine. I don't care who comes. Just get here. Yeah, yeah. Goodbye." They hear the phone slam shut, and Caroline uttering in Hebrew.

"A chorban!" Prentiss giggles, and then speaks to the group.

"It's a Yiddish curse, like "Oh, shit." They all chuckle as the girl returns to the room and looks around.

"You all heard that, huh?" Spencer nods, biting his lip.

"Yah."

"Sorry. But it looks like I will actually be under the advisement of Gideon's number two girl, Jill. She used to work for the CIA in counter-ops, so she knows about undercover stuff." They all nod and then Morgan speaks.

"Hotch, it might be a good idea if we all kind of help out on this op. Reid is good with the statistical stuff, and maybe he can woo some skirts with his magic tricks, and Prentiss and this other woman have UC experience. And who better to pretend to hit on girls while watching Ms. Steinberg than me and Rossi?" Hotch considers, and nods.

"OK. I think that might work. Let's all break for dinner, and I'll meet with you, Dr. Steinberg and this Jill woman, and then we'll all brief back here as soon as I do that. Keep your phones on and handy, OK?"

1500 Hours

Boston Navy Yard

Boston, MA

Hotch sat in the meeting room with Caroline, Spencer, and a tall, lanky woman with auburn hair who had introduced herself to him as Jillian Godfrey. They were now discussing the evening, and the Agency's plans for the operation. Spencer had asked to sit in, and Caroline had asked Hotch to allow it, and though he sensed something between the two young people, he allowed his friendship and appreciation for Spencer to override protocol, and the young man now sat gazing at the girl; the two lost in conversation about some kind of math thing. Hotch cleared his throat, and they fell quiet. Jill spoke first.

"What Jason suggested was that Caroline could sort of pretend to buddy up with Heather Johnson, and see if they could girl-talk and hopefully, Ms. Johnson will reveal something useful. He suggested a bar, because he said that would be the most real situation-Caroline is just a couple of years older than Ms. Johnson, but most Twenty year olds go to clubs or bars. Caroline will wear a wire, and someone will be helping with that. Now, because we believe that the Marines are being killed because they are flirting with a girl that the…what did Gideon call it-unsub?-anyway, we thought that a good scenario would be sending in a decoy "flirt". Has Johnson met your whole team?" Hotch nods, his brow furrowed. Jill continues. "That might be problematic then." Caroline shook her head and spoke.

"No. I was in the bathroom earlier, and she was talking to some other girl I didn't recognize-in desert fatigues-and she said that she found Agent Morgan attractive." Jill turns to Hotch.

"Would your agent be willing to help?"

"I think he might be game, yes. I will ask him."

"Thank you. I think we should all coordinate back here in an hour or so. Caroline, I need you to come with me for a bit. If you have no questions, Agent Hotchner, we would ask you to excuse us?"

"Of course."

"Thank you." The two women stand, and leave the room, promising they would return in an hour and a half. Hotch looks at Spencer, who shrugs lightly.

End of Chap. 3