The familiar white Gulfstream jet landed smoothly and taxied to the FBI's designated tarmac at JFK Airport. When the cabin door opened, familiar faces descended the stairs. Jack, arms crossed and leaning against the hood of a Suburban, watched them with a smile.
Joyner, however, couldn't contain her excitement and rushed forward.
"Aaron, how have you been?"
"Very well, thank you, Kate," Hotchner replied politely. Jack couldn't help but notice that Hotchner's smile seemed unusually natural today.
After a brief handshake with Joyner, Hotchner's gaze drifted toward Jack, who was deliberately standing at a distance, enjoying the scene. Ever composed, he turned back to Joyner and made introductions.
"This is Kate Joyner. And this is my team: David Rossi, Emily Prentiss, Jennifer Jareau, Spencer Reid, Penelope Garcia, and Luke Alvez."
"Thank you all for coming such a long way. Whatever you need, just let me know—please, don't hold back," Joyner said, her attention focused solely on Hotchner, barely noticing Garcia enthusiastically waving at Jack.
Jack sighed internally. His plan to act like a stranger had been thwarted by Garcia's bubbly demeanor. He hadn't anticipated that she, someone who rarely went into the field, would join the BAU in New York this time.
Jack had only called JJ for some light gossip and hadn't informed the rest of the team about his presence in New York. Judging by Emily's amused expression, she and JJ had already swapped intel. Reid, oblivious as always, looked lost in thought. Rossi's ever-smiling, fox-like face betrayed no hint of his true thoughts.
"Welcome to the Big Apple, everyone," Jack said, stepping forward with open arms. He gave Garcia a big hug, greeted JJ and Emily with cheek kisses, and shook hands with the rest of the team.
"Uh… Jack, you and… you know them?" Joyner stammered, utterly dumbfounded by the scene unfolding before her.
"Yes, just a little joke. I've kept something from you," Jack admitted with a half-smile. "Until today, my official title in the New York office is still Behavioral Analysis Consultant, seconded from the BAU. It's something of an open secret in the operations center."
His tone was measured, but the subtle shift in everyone's expressions turned the moment awkward for Joyner. She, always composed, suddenly found herself the focus of amused and knowing looks.
"My mistake," she muttered, cheeks flushing crimson. "Perhaps I've been too focused on proving myself to my superiors."
Even as she stumbled over an apology, Joyner maintained her air of refinement, finding a graceful way to recover. She wasn't unintelligent—just a bit socially tone-deaf. If she hadn't realized her error by now, it was doubtful even her strong connections could have helped her climb to her current rank, especially in a field role.
Jack hoped this mild embarrassment would serve as a wake-up call. If not, the ongoing transition of leadership in the operations center might need to involve someone else entirely.
"Let's head to Federal Plaza 26 and resolve this before the media frenzy worsens," Hotchner suggested, breaking the tension.
"Too late," Jack replied, unlocking his phone and showing a video clip.
Onscreen, Dana Morge and Frank Reagan were holding a press conference. "The FBI has officially joined the investigation into this serial murder case," Dana announced to the room of reporters.
The media had already latched onto the story, dubbing the killer "Son of Sam Reborn."
The original "Son of Sam," also known as the ".44 Caliber Killer," was one of the most notorious serial murderers in 1970s New York. Despite the era's rampant crime, David Berkowitz's year-long killing spree terrified the city.
A former soldier and skilled marksman, Berkowitz had various supposed motives—from demonic possession by a neighbor's dog to childhood trauma, hatred for his birth mother, and even his own sexual impotence.
Given that many of his victims were couples or young women, Jack believed the latter explanation was most likely.
Rossi's case notes had highlighted an important takeaway from the "Son of Sam" investigation: killers often revisit their crime scenes. This insight, now standard practice in criminal profiling, had been revolutionary at the time.
As the team digested the clip, their expressions grew grim. Media attention often increased public pressure on law enforcement but rarely aided the actual investigation.
In one of Rossi's notes, he mentioned how Berkowitz's life had been dull and marginalized before the murders. The media's frenzied coverage elevated his self-image, making him feel significant.
Six months into his spree, Berkowitz began writing letters to the media, fabricating motives and hinting at future crimes. What began as a way to vent his frustrations turned into a quest for notoriety, as he killed to maintain his status as a "celebrity killer."
The BAU team, however, wasn't new to high-pressure cases. They quickly snapped into action, loading their luggage into the Suburban and preparing to leave.
"I'd like to have a word with you privately," Joyner said as Hotchner reached for the passenger door.
"Of course," Hotchner replied. He excused himself and walked to Joyner's Audi, naturally opening the driver's side door for her.
"Wow, those two definitely have a story," Emily said, leaning between the Suburban's front seats. "Jack, is there anything you'd like to share with the group?"
"I was about to ask you the same thing," Jack deadpanned as he shut the door. "You saw what just happened—she didn't even know I was from the BAU. What kind of history could we possibly have?"
"Wait, the always-adored Jack ignored by a beautiful woman?" Garcia gasped theatrically.
"Maybe she has a severe case of Electra complex," Reid suggested with utmost seriousness.
The room burst into laughter. Reid, ever the academic, had unintentionally set himself up for mockery.
"Impossible," Rossi declared confidently from the back seat. "She didn't even spare me a glance."
"Maybe she's into strict father figures and dislikes playboys," JJ quipped, unbothered by Rossi's mock pout.
"Rossi's wounded pride aside," Luke Alvez, seated quietly in the back, finally chimed in, "when we were on the plane, we were all wondering why someone named Kate Joyner invited the BAU instead of Jack. Hotchner said they had contact back when she was at Scotland Yard."
The entire car grew quiet for a moment before Emily grinned slyly. "So, Jack, are you saying Joyner's not secretly crushing on you? Because it sure looks like she's got a soft spot for Hotch."
Jack groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Just drive already."
(End of Chapter)
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