Hotch was noticeably more absent in regards to Kasper the following morning, brushing off the avoidance as being busy, but Reid knew. When Reid asked if everything was alright Hotch answered honestly "I'm not sure how you feel about me. And I'm not sure how I feel about everything. Honestly, I'm confused." Hotch knew that the words would hurt, but the young man deserved his honesty.
Kasper has spent the morning warming up by playing the violin in the office, and at the venue while the police got everything set up. Morgan was in the dressing room with Kasper helping him get set up. While Rossi stood off to the side checking the room.
"Because you won't be able to press a button to send audio, the mic will be recording at all times. Leave this in your ear. The tech analyst set it up so that you won't hear your own audio, but you will hear everyone else. There is going to be a lot of chatter, but just tune it out. The team will call your name if the audio is directed towards you. We will rendezvous with you in this dressing room at intermission to give you any updates." Morgan handed the violinists a clear earpiece.
"Put this in your ear."
Rossi spoke up "If there is any food or drink you need, have one of us get it for you. There is risk that the unsub could use a sedative to ensure he doesn't create a scene."
"Alright." Kasper displayed his bright purple nail polish "I am wearing nail polish that turns black in the presence of date rape drugs, so I will check everything regardless of who gives it to me."
The surprise was evident on Rossi's face "Nifty invention."
The beginning of the concert went well, with nothing of note. Hotch, Morgan, and JJ met in Kasper's dressing room.
"We haven't heard anything from the unsub. Is there something we're missing?" Morgan posed the question to the room. JJ responded
"I don't think so, it's just a matter of waiting. We can move to plan b and have Kasper state something that would force the unsub to react?"
Rossi looked to Kasper "I think that would be the best. Are you comfortable with that?"
The determination shined in Kasper's eyes "I'll do whatever it takes to catch them."
JJ spoke "Remember, keep it emotional, but vague. We need the unsub to think that you are talking to him." Kasper nodded, determination on his face even as he light heartedly replied. "I understand. Now shoo, darlings. Unless you plan on helping me change outfits?" The group marched out of the rooms, walking back into position.
Kasper came back out on stage after changing his wardrobe during intermission. He wore tight charcoal grey pants, shiny leather mid calf boots, a black shirt with a silky pleated cravat on top of a high collar, and a silver vest. His narrow waist and long arms accented by a emerald green coat that came down to mid thigh, tapering out from the waist. The outfit looked like it belonged in a Jane Austen novel, and Hotch thought it suited Reid perfectly. Kasper's hair was a short black wig which faded to grey at the tips of it's tousled texture. He wore dark eye liner blended into silver eyeshadow highlighting the bright blue contacts he had in. He walked slowly up to the microphone, placing the violin on the stool behind him. Hotch watched, searching the crowd from the side of the isle where he stood. He glanced past Kasper as the man placed one arm behind his back, in a proper pose.
"Thank you for coming tonight. For years you have watched and listened as I played music which was reflective of the struggles and joys I have experienced in life. Recently, one particular struggle has been at the forethought of my mind. A great friend once told me 'If you're not willing to take the risk, then you don't deserve the reward'."
Hotch recognized the words that were so reminiscent of last night, his attention captured by the man on stage. He watched as he spoke with conviction and honesty, not a hint of shyness that Reid usually displayed in front of a crowd.
"That friend is no longer here, but he will always be in my heart. His friendship was a balm that served to sooth the hardships and struggles of life. In his honor, I am going to take that risk; and for once in my life, throw caution to the wind."
Reid could feel the eyes of his team on him, knowing that their minds were working out any and all possibilities to the speech he was currently giving.
"For years I have watched you from afar, amazed at your brilliance and heroism. Your effortless dedication to the family you work with is a rarity in this world, and something that has carried me forward more than you can possibly imagine. I thought, at the beginning, that it was simply admiration, but not long after the realization hit me suddenly. I was completely, desperately, and hopelessly in love with you. I know that you may not be looking for someone to love, but, as selfish as it may be, I have to tell you how I feel. " The audience was silent as Kasper's voice began wavering. "Because as much as I fight it and try to hide it, my world is spinning. I lose sleep thinking about you. My heart sinks with every sunset, knowing that you're so much more than I deserve. Everytime you walk into a room and look at me as nothing more than a friend, my heart clenches in pain. But no matter how much agony I am in, all I ever want to do is take away your pain. For years I have dedicated songs to you because I could never find the words. Words by their very nature have limits to their depth and feeling, but music does not. I played those songs for you...to you...because they expressed more than whatever paltry words I spoke could hope to convey. I will continue to play those songs for you, but perhaps, the songs were not enough. The feelings I have been holding in for you for so long can not be held back by sweet notes and lilting melodies any longer. I have to bring my feelings into words, even if that means laying my fears at your feet and allowing myself to be vulnerable." Everyone watched Kasper fight to hold back tears. "I don't expect you to feel the same. If you don't love me, that's alright; it will hurt at first, but eventually I will be okay. But if there is a chance...please take it because everything I feel for you is slowly eating away at me. Please tell me how you feel, even if the answer is the one I have been fearful of for so many years."
The audience offered up somber clapping as Kasper turned around to grab his violin before gently lifting it onto his shoulder.
Kasper had barely kept it together, hearing the crying of his team in the earpiece, as much as they tried to be quiet. He heard quiet whispers of "That was beautiful", he picked up deep, steadying breaths, and tried to push it from his mind as he readied to play.
Hotch was stunned with the most beautiful words he had ever heard in his life, that entire speech...what could anyone say in response to that?
"This song goes out to a known love, a faint hope."
Kasper whispered into the microphone on his shirt
"This is for you Aaron."
Hotch felt tears slip down his face as his eyes widened, the the team whipped their heads around to stare at the man in shock. He heard a quiet "What the fuck is going on?" from Prentiss, he quickly responded "Stay alert, find the unsub."
Hotch heard the tune of The Phantom of The Opera begin, the same song as before. He watched as Spencer jerked and swayed to the notes, transfixed by the man's movements. The song ended with vehement applause.
Despite the best efforts of police and the team, they did not find the unsub in the audience.
"I'm not seeing anything Hotch."
JJ spoke up "something isn't right. He should have made a move by now."
"Especially considering the speech Kasper made…" Emily stated
"Is he waiting for the last song?"
"Rossi and JJ wait for Kasper in his room. I want it secured. Morgan, I want you and Prentiss to watch the officers and the audience. I'm going down to the stage level. Stay hidden, we don't want to scare him off."
"You got it Hotch." spoke Morgan
Kasper spoke to the audience "Thank you all for spending tonight with me. The last song- The Devil's Trill"
Hotch warned everyone on the headsets "High alert. Report in" Hotch got confirmations of "All clear" from the team.
"The only people I see down here are stagehands…"