A/N: Yes, I promise that I'm not dead. And I apologize for making you wait so long for this update. Life got crazy. However, I think things have finally calmed down to a point where I can focus on fun things again, like writing. I do hope you enjoy this pitifully short update. But I do appreciate the reviews and adds people have been giving me! Thanks!
Chapter 13: Playing Dress Up
Back at the bed and breakfast, Ria is beginning her project of transformation. Every detail must be perfect in order for the ruse to be successful. She carefully plans a back-story, her reasons as to why she is visiting the infamous Ms. Dodge, and her wardrobe. The wardrobe is a key component of getting into character. The unsub must, at first sight, get the impression that Ria's character can be another victim.
In the bathroom, Ria rinses her hair multiple times with tea in order to dull the bright shine of her fiery red hair. Her usual mask of makeup is removed and replaced with a quick flick of clear mascara and chapstick. She puts on an old pair of wire rimmed glasses. In the full length mirror, she makes some final adjustments to her clothing. The ill-fitting pants (stolen from Spencer), white blouse (stolen from Emily) and blue cardigan (stolen from JJ) present the perfect image of an overlooked young woman.
Turning to JJ, Ria asks, "Well…?"
"It's perfect. Now, who are you and what's your story?"
"My name is Becky Stone. I recently moved from New Orleans in the hopes of making something better of myself." As she tells JJ the back story of Becky Stone, Ria allows a little bit of the New Orleans twang color her speech.
JJ nods in approval. "You should be able to pull this off brilliantly. Just don't get too creative with the lies, otherwise the unsub won't believe you. Just stick to basic facts and don't get too curious. If we're lucky, we can take her alive and do the majority of questioning while she's in custody."
The two women walk down to the parlor where the rest of the team waits to discuss the final logistics.
"May I present Becky Stone," JJ announces to the team.
Nearly every face holds the same shock at Ria's transformation. They can barely tell it is the same woman they have been working with for three days now.
Hotch nods his approval at Ria. "Alright everyone, here's how things are going to work. Morgan, Gideon, and myself along with police forces will be stationed near the ritual site to await the arrival of Ria and the unsub. JJ is our liaison with the police department and rangers. We must be as invisible as possible in order to not arouse suspicion. Reid and Emily will tail Ria in order to keep track of her movements. Once she has left the office, they will alert us so we can be ready for them. It is important that we allow the unsub to begin her ritual so that she feels secure that she will not be bothered. At the signal, we will move in to secure the unsub. Any questions?"
The team merely nods their heads in understanding. They are all dressed in muted colors in order to blend in with the surroundings as much as possible. They know they are about to play a dangerous game. Their only hope is that they can outsmart the unsub and not risk Ria's life any more than necessary.
As they begin to move out, Ria cracks a grin and chirps, "Showtime everyone!"
The bus deposits Ria at a bus stop two blocks away from the office building that holds Esme Dodge. As she walks towards the building, she makes sure that she is completely in character. The people walking on the street barely notice her, and she takes that as a positive sign that her disguise is working. Before entering the building, Ria carefully notes that the back of the building abuts the forest.
Upon walking into the office suite of Dr. Esme Dodge, Ria stands in front of the receptionist's desk for a few moments before she notices her.
"Can I help you?" the receptionist yawns when she finally notices Ria.
"Um….yes. I'm Becky Stone. I have an appointment with Dr. Dodge."
The receptionist glances at the timetable in front of her. "Have a seat. I'll let her know you're here." She turns in her chair to pick up the phone.
Ria settles into the uncomfortable waiting room chairs and idly glances around. The moment of truth would soon be upon her.
"Miss? Dr. Dodge will see you now."
A side door cracks open slightly, signifying that was the door to enter. As she walks through the door, Ria is struck by the sight of the woman seated on the other side of the desk. She is dressed in a smart pantsuit with a vibrant green blouse and gold jewelry. Her hair is an ordinary brown which has been teased into soft curls. The overall look is someone who is trying much too hard to impress someone. Beneath the costume, Ria can see the ordinary woman Dr. Dodge used to be.
"Welcome, Miss Stone. Please, have a seat." She gestures to an overstuffed leather chair in front of her desk. "Let us get right to the matter. Why have you come to visit me today?"
"I was hoping you could help me. I recently moved here from New Orleans because I wasn't having any luck down there. I had thought moving away and starting over would make me a new woman. But, I'm having the same problems I was having while living in New Orleans. No one notices me, and I'm stuck in a dead end job as a counter clerk at a drycleaners."
Esme Dodge's face was a study of utmost sympathy. "I understand. Yours is not an uncommon story. It is actually quite similar to my own. I feel that I might be able to help you." She pauses for a moment, before continuing on. "I propose we take a brief walk through the forest. Its always lovely this time of year, and I think it will help us have a meaningful conversation."
Ria nods in agreement. "I do enjoy walking." She notes with invisible curiosity the small leather briefcase Esme has picked up.
"I'm just going to bring my briefcase so I can write down anything we might speak of for reference in future sessions. Just follow me."
The two women, both with hidden agendas, exit the back of the building towards the forest in the most amiable of conversations. They shared trivial information, but somehow it was vital to the process. For a few moments, Ria panicked that Reid and Emily wouldn't be able to track her. Her fears were allayed when the logical part of her brain told her that Reid would most certainly notice that the back of the building joined with the forest.
As they walked the path, Esme was talking about ancient feminine rituals that were carried out in secret in order to better the female population of a tribe. The more Esme spoke, the more Ria secretly screamed at the inaccuracy of everything she was saying. Becky, on the other hand, was eating it hook, line, and sinker. That was the point, after all.
"Here we are," Esme says as they enter the clearing with the ring stones.
"Wow…they really are real!"
"Of course. And within this ring, you shall find your female power to transform your life. Step into the ring, and lie down on the large stone there."
Ria did as she was told, and silent prayed that the team was watching and knew what they were doing. Lying on the altar stone, she asks, "Am I doing it right?"
"Perfectly. Lie still. Can you feel the ancient power?" Silently, Esme placed the leather briefcase on the ground by the altar stone. Careful not to alert her patient to the danger, she withdraws a sharp blade. "Drink in the ancient feminine energy.
Esme drew the blade high overhead, out of sight of her unknowing victim. However, the glint of the blade in the sunlight was just the signal the BAU team needed to move in. Morgan comes tearing out of the underbrush and runs headlong at Esme. Hearing the crash, she whirled about and flew at Ria, who was fleeing from the ringstones. The blade cut down, and placed a gash along Ria's arm. With a cry, she fell to the ground.
Morgan shifted his momentum slightly, and tackles Esme to the ground with a grunt. The rest of the team emerges to secure the site. Gideon kneels beside Ria, pressing a handkerchief to her bleeding wound. Morgan and the cops wrestle Esme into cuffs, her screaming like a banshee the whole time.
"Well done," Gideon says to Ria as the paramedics look her over. "It will be interesting to see what she says under interrogation later."
Ria could only nod in agreement. There were a number of things that she dearly hoped she would be able to say to Esme Dodge. More pressing, however, is her need to shower and get back to being herself.