Hotch walked into the conference room an hour later to find the group discussing the case while having dinner.
"Welcome back- we got you your usual General Tso's with egg roll." Rossi slid his friend's food over.
"Thanks. What have we found?"
Prentiss propped up an ipad on the table "Take a look at this." Hitting play showed low quality footage of Kasper as he brought the violin to rest on his shoulder before lifting the bow to begin playing. The music began to play softly, liltingly, for several minutes before the speed and haunting melody picked up. The violinists hands sped across the instrument as Kasper began to move with the music, bending and twisting with the tune, feet moving in rhythm, hair sweeping across his face. The group watched mesmerized as the man responded to the music before slowing down and finally stopping with the song.
Prentiss took the tablet before turning it back towards Hotch
"That was 'The Devil's Trill'. Then there's this…"
Hotch watched as Kasper was in yet another video which was filmed from a different angle and set on a very large stage. The young man stood there in the middle of the stage wearing a longer coal black frock coat, which highlighted the crimson damask vest he wore underneath, laying in contrast to the crisp white shirt. The tight pants tucked into knee high boots left little to the imagination as he stood with his feet shoulder width apart. His stillness brought silence to the audience before he he gently readied his violin to play. He began slowly, playing alone a tune that seemed to caress the listener, almost gently across the lips, teasingly. Slowly the orchestra began to come in, pulled forward by the lone violin player on stage. The film is grainy, but much clearer than the last footage, they can see that Kaspers mouth is not moving. A deep tenor echoes out from the orchestra.
Past the point of no return
No backward glances
The games we've played till now are at an end
Past all thought of if or when
No use resisting
Abandon thought and let the dream descend
What raging fire shall flood the soul?
What rich desire unlocks its door?
What sweet seduction lies before us
Past the point of no return
The final threshold?
What warm, unspoken secrets will we learn
Beyond the point of no return?
Hotch has a lightning bolt of a recollection, Phantom of the Opera.
Slowly, a man approaches from the side of the stage, sensually dancing his way towards Kasper as the song continues, this time another man with a higher range filling in from the orchestra. The dancer comes towards Kasper almost reluctantly
You have brought me
To that moment where words run dry
To that moment where speech disappears into silence
Silence
The dancer drags a hand over the back of Kaspers shoulders slowly, relishing in the moment before spinning to stand behind the violinist. The dancer, a whole head taller than the other man, supports Kasper as he leans back into his chest.
I have come here
Hardly knowing the reason why
In my mind I've already imagined our bodies entwining, defenseless and silent
The dancer crouched down, placing his hands on Kaspers knees, before slowly dragging them up the front of his thighs, pressing their bodies together as the hands gripped the slender hips tightly, both men's heads thrown back in mock intimacy while Kasper continued playing.
And now I am here with you, no second thoughts
I've decided, decided
Past the point of no return
A curtain quickly parted to reveal dancers behind the two men, the dancers were moving and twirling in a waltz that would have not been out of place 200 years ago. They faded into the background, their white outfits and puritanical movements only served to highlight the erotic, dark dance in front of them. Hotch could only stare, mind still, as he took everything in
No going back now
Our passion play has now at last begun
Kasper and the dancer moved away from each other while he continued to massage the violin to play it's beautiful notes. They faced each other then moved into a circle mimicking a dance-
Past all thought of right or wrong
One final question
How long should we two wait before we're one?
The dancer fell to the floor before crawling to Kasper, placing his hands on his hips and twirling his head in a dramatic circle. Hotch could only stare, nearly dropping his jaw. He had never seen Reid so...sensual. Of course, this wasn't Reid, it was Kasper. Either way, he could feel something within him stirring.
When will the blood begin to race
The sleeping bud bursts into bloom?
When will the flames at last consume us?
The dancer hooked one one leg over his partners slender waist, his hands holding on to both shoulders as he flung his head back in an imitation of sex
Past the point of no return
The final threshold
The bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn
We've passed the point of no return
The dancer slowly leaned back toward the audience as Kasper held him, imitating the dip in a sensual dance. Both bodies stood back up slowly returning to the dance as the song changed into another from the play. It was softer, sweeter, but no less sensual. The dancer reached a hand and cupped Kasper's cheek, walking forward as Kasper backed up while still being touched, putting feeling to the words being sung from the orchestra
No more talk of darkness
Forget these wide-eyed fears
I'm here nothing, can harm you
My words will warm and calm you
Kasper spun before the dancer put both hands low on the others waist, dancing with the man whose fingers would not stop wringing the beautiful notes from his instrument, backing him up, now leading the dance
Let me be your freedom
Let daylight dry your tears
I'm here with you, beside you,
To guard you and to guide you
Kasper continued playing, his hips held while both men leaned backwards, before the dancer reached a hand around Kaspers neck, pulling him close so that their foreheads pressed together
Let me be your shelter
Let me be your light
You're safe no, one will find you
Your fears are far behind you
Kasper pulled away and took several step forward, facing the audience, his back toward the dancer
All I want is freedom
A world with no more night
And you, always beside me
To hold me and to hide me
The dancer quickly caught up to him, snaking an arm around the slender waist, pulling him closer moving their hips together in a guided slow dance
Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Let me lead you from your solitude
Say you need me with you here, beside you
Anywhere you go let, me go too
That's all I ask of you
The dancer's arm around the slim waist pulled the violinist closer, his other hand broadly caressed across the musicians chest before wrapping around the shoulder not supporting a violin. The violinist was held against the dancer's body like a lover.
Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Say the word and I will follow you
Share each day with me each night, each morning,
Say you love me
You know I do
Love me, that's all I ask of you
Both men stared into the eyes of the other as the song faded into ending. There was a tense pause before applause came in and the video was cut off.
Hotch stared at the tablet in shock, he couldn't believe that this was the same man he had worked with for so many years! He had thoughts that bordered on inappropriate before, but nothing like...this. That was one of the most sensual things he had ever witnessed, and he couldn't help but want to see it again. He knew he had possessed feelings for the young genius for sometime but this video was shocking...and throwing everything into a different perspective. The feelings that had lingered for so long; the familiarity, the fondness, the adoration and appreciation for the man, were forced into the light all at once. Hotch had to clear his throat from the breath that seemed to have gotten stuck upon that revelation.
"That was (cough)...um?"
Rossi supplied "sensual?"
Prentiss laughed "That was downright erotic."
Rossi straightened up "Which brought us to the thought...what if this is about Kasper as much as his music? Maybe the unsub believes that Kasper is somehow playing to them personally? Maybe what were dealing with is obsession over a particular song coupled with an onset of erotomania towards the person who plays the song of the obsession. With the erotic nature of the song the unsub may present with delusions of reference, believing the song is about them."
Prentiss continued "Especially given that Kasper often dedicates songs at his concert to 'a love unknown'. Given the victims, their build, and their sexual orientation, we're most likely dealing with a white male, between 25-35, who is a closeted homosexual."
Rossi continued "Males with erotomania are significantly more likely to be violent and aggressive which fits our pattern of escalation and torture."
Hotch looked at the two agents "Great job. We need to give the profile to the PD. Were short on time and-" Hotch answered his phone before putting it on the table "You're on speaker Garcia."
"Sir, Kaspers manager is on the other line. He says that Kasper will cooperate fully with a few conditions."
Rossi looked toward Prentiss and Hotch, "Conditions?! He does realize his life is in danger, right?"
"I've explained what Hotch asked me to, but Juliuis says that he would rather speak to the team directly."
Hotch looked annoyed "Alright. Get Morgan and JJ, you four will go give the profile. After, JJ can release a statement to the press stating that the investigation is ongoing and to bring any questions to her directly. We can't risk anything getting out, especially with a mentally fragile unsub." Hotch sighed "Patch him through Garcia, and stay on the line so that you can make any accomodations possible in real time." Hotch waved to everyone as they exited the room.
"Hello?"
"Hello, this is Unit Chief SSA Aaron Hotchner. Thank you for speaking to us."
"Kasper has asked me to take this call on his behalf. The lady I spoke to before filled me in on the details, which I relayed to Kasper. He has agreed to help in any way possible, however he has asked a few things in return."
"Considering the ongoing investigation and the fact that Kasper is a civilian with no jurisdiction, we will do what we can with reasonable consideration, but we can not make any promises."
"He understands, but feels that the requests are reasonable and necessary."
"Alright. What are the requests?" Hotch spat the word with obvious distaste.
"Kasper demands that his real name, identity, and any information pertaining to such be kept under a verbal confidentiality agreement. The information may be available to the...Unit Chief and the information shared only in a life or death situation, amongst the team only. The information must be kept away from the general public and media."
Hotch could tell that while the man was fluent in law and making contracts for media, he was struggling with the terminology that Garcia had given him.
"We cannot make guarantees given the seriousness of the situation, however I will do my best to share the information with my team only, and only in situations I feel the information is pertinent."
"That is acceptable. Kasper has also requested that, because of the severity of the safety concerns to him personally, he be allowed to be in constant watch of the highest ranking agent at all times when he is in public. He obviously understands that while this is not possible 100% of the time given your job, he asks that it be whenever physically or legally possible. Along those lines he also requests that the highest ranking agent room with him for additional security, he has agreed to police security outside his hotel room when you are unable to be there in person."
Hotch could hear Garcia gulp on the other line, obviously waiting for her boss to lay into the gentleman on the other line for unreasonable requests.
"As the Unit Chief and the one who will be rooming with Kasper I can accept those stipulations given the understanding that there may be times he may have to accompany me unexpectedly for the sake of the investigation. In exchange Kasper must be willing to help the investigation in any way possible, including undercover operations. This will be considered a volunteer opportunity for which the FBI will not be held liable or responsible for any physical, mental, emotional, or occupational harm that may occur."
Hotch waited as there was a long pause on the line
"Agreed. Kasper is willing to be responsible for all expenses involved in moving you to the hotel he is staying at."
"I agree as long as the rest of the team has availability to rooms nearby in the same hotel. Because of security concerns with the investigation the team cannot be split up. If there are no rooms available, Kasper will have to move to the hotel we are already staying at."
"Agreed. Kasper is arriving earlier than planned to assist you and his flight should be landing around 6:30 if you would be able to meet him at the airport?"
"I should be able to do that. Please send the flight details to Garcia, she can send them to me."
"Thank you agent."
Garcia and Hotch heard the sound of the manager hanging up before garcia spoke up "Sir...what just happened?"
Hotch sighed "We have an undercover rock star...but I have to babysit him."
"Oh...are we allowed to do that?"
Hotch sighed "We're not really supposed to, so if you could just keep this between the team for now, I'd appreciate it."
"Aye Aye, captain!"
Hotch walked in the briefing room towards the end of the profile. He pulled the team aside and updated them on what would be happening.
Morgan, naturally, spoke up first. "How did we get stuck babysitting this guy?"
Rossi corrected "It sounds like Hotch is the one babysitting him…"
"It's a small price to pay for cooperative assistance in the case. If we can't solve the case prior to the concert, Kasper is willing to act as bait, fully knowing all of the dangers involved. Frankly, this is a best case scenario situation."
Prentiss spoke up "This guy sounds like a real pain in the ass."
Morgan sighed "When do we need to pick him up?"
Hotch looked questioningly at Morgan "I have to pick him up in a few hours."
Rossi laughed "If you think I'm missing this, you are sorely mistaken."
Morgan, Prentiss and JJ smiled in agreement. Hotch noticed and sighed "I guess we can take 2 SUVs…"