INT. BAU JET – DAY
We see the team arranged in various seats—MORGAN across the aisle from JAREAU, REID, and ROSSI. PRENTISS and HOTCHNER are at an adjacent table.
ROSSI
So how should we do this? I'm not a chess player.
Know very little about the game, but this guy seems to.
HOTCHNER
Prentiss, and Reid, I want you two to work that angle. Morgan and I'll start on victim's families.
JJ, you and Dave work victimology. I want to know if there's a pattern, and why
there have been five black pieces and only three white.
PRENTISS
We also need to consider the possibility that this guy
is using chess as a smoke screen, or that it will only make sense to him.
ROSSI
If we take away the chess angle, what have we got?
REID
We have signs of organization. He takes the time to follow
his script. None of the victims suffered any damage that was unique to them.
Every one had the same number of injuries, and appeared to be tortured for
roughly the same amount of time.
MORGAN
Almost obsessively so. We could be lookin' at an obsessive compulsive UNSUB.
PRENTISS
Probably likely. Everything in the general
area was as clean as a wooded area could be. Attention to detail.
HOTCHNER
So he's methodical. What does that tell us?
PRENTISS
He's an organized killer. At least of average
intelligence. Maybe in a steady, if not relatively stable, relationship.
JAREAU'S phone rings. She answers. The team is busy passing around notes and files. General flight behaviors we've seen before. There is nothing in their manners to indicate nervousness or stress.
REID
Probably a bit more than average intelligence.
HOTCHNER
What makes you say that, Reid?
REID
I don't know. Just that to go to something this complex—
although we've certainly seen the opposite before—but something
about this is saying this UNSUB may be more intelligent than this first appears.
MORGAN
You think this guy is somehow downplaying? Misdirection? I don't know, kid.
HOTCHNER
Let's not discount anything at this point. Prentiss, you're the
strongest chess player, keep at it, as hard as you can.
PRENTISS
I'll do that. But, Hotch, it's been years since I've played
seriously—or against someone with serious skill. I'm a little rusty.
HOTCHNER
We have complete faith in you.
PRENTISS just looks skeptical. HOTCHNER looks away. JAREAU hangs up cell phone.
JAREAU
That was Garcia, she's found us two helicopters to take us
to this base high in the Colorado mountains. Apparently the only
other way in is on foot.
PRENTISS
Just exactly where are we going? I'll admit, this is starting to creep me out a little.
JAREAU
Me, too.
MORGAN
Don't worry, ladies. I'll keep you safe.
PRENTISS
Morgan, have you ever been high in the mountains? It's not exactly
an easy place. Too easy to get lost, never knowing where something is lurking.
MORGAN
Aw, so the perfect Agent Prentiss, is afraid of the Big Bad Wolf and the
Haunted Woods?
PRENTISS
Not afraid, just realistically leery.
HOTCHNER
We'll all be extremely careful. This guy knows the area,
obviously, and will have that advantage. No one is to go anywhere alone.
ROSSI
If this base is so secretive, we may also be facing the possibility
that this guy is someone from the base, itself. How else would he know?
HOTCHNER
So trust no one you come into contact with, and stay in touch
with at least one member of the team at all times. We're almost
going in blind, on this one.
ROSSI
And I'm getting a feeling things are going to get mighty complicated.
PRENTISS
the game always is.
(I know this one was short, but I hope to have a longer one up this evening after I take a nap—I worked all night last night…)