Chapter 83: Maybe It's the Clown
On the plane.
Chuck and Gideon had reset the chess game from their last match and continued playing.
"What older woman?" Reid asked embarrassedly. "Chuck, you didn't mention there was an older woman involved?"
No way! He liked JJ.
Although according to Chuck, he was living in a fantasy, but he just liked her.
"Monica's friend Phoebe," Chuck said casually while studying the chessboard. "She has a thing for scientists. She got her love of science from reading Popular Science magazine as a kid. She had a rough childhood but maintains a cheerful personality. Nothing can bring her down. She's very enthusiastic and forward-thinking. She also has a particular interest in mentoring inexperienced young men. In short, she's perfect for your first real experience."
"It does sound like she'd be good for Spencer," JJ nodded with a complicated expression.
"Didn't you say you just wanted me to observe how you interact and connect with women?" Reid asked anxiously.
"You're not lacking in theory at all; that's your strongest point," Chuck shrugged. "What you lack is opportunity and practice. Phoebe is just an assignment I'm giving you."
"I don't want an assignment," Reid shook his head repeatedly, saying defiantly, "I... I don't like assignments!"
"Don't be ridiculous," Chuck glanced at him sideways. "You love assignments more than anyone."
"..." Reid, facing Chuck's stare, could no longer muster any more weak excuses. Deflated, he lowered his head and muttered in a low, helpless voice, "Okay, I do love assignments, but not this kind..." He couldn't help but glance at JJ.
He saw that JJ had already turned her head to gaze out the window at the clouds below.
"Where should we set up operations once we land?" Unit Chief Hotchner changed the subject.
Everyone on the team was aware of the tension between Reid and JJ, but they simply didn't want to address it directly.
First, they only had mild feelings for each other, nothing too serious.
Second, the team's unwritten rule was not to profile their own members; they gave each other enough privacy and space.
Third, and most importantly, Reid and JJ were colleagues, both deeply committed to their hard-earned positions at the BAU. If they were to start a relationship, one of them would have to transfer out.
Federal law enforcement regulations prohibited romantic relationships between direct colleagues.
Otherwise, things would get complicated.
So, even though they cared about Reid's personal life, they kept their thoughts to themselves.
"We're not going to the FBI field office in California?" JJ turned around in surprise.
"We're going to the CBI!" Gideon picked up a chess piece and continued, "The Red John case has been transferred to the CBI, right? We need to follow proper protocols and avoid tipping off the suspect. Everything must be done legally and by the book, ensuring this case is a complete success."
"Right," Unit Chief Hotchner glanced at Chuck and nodded. "If Dr. Wolfe's theory is correct, we already know who the killer is. Now we just need to gather sufficient evidence. This is much simpler than our previous cases. The only challenge is collecting enough evidence without alerting the suspect."
"You're planning to follow the same approach?" Chuck looked up at Unit Chief Hotchner.
"Absolutely," Unit Chief Hotchner's eyes narrowed. "We'll arrest everyone connected to Red John."
"I just hope the people of California won't be too shaken," Chuck said calmly. "Fortunately, they're used to disappointment."
"..." Unit Chief Hotchner paused.
He understood Chuck's implication. If the results revealed widespread corruption, then word would spread that Californians discovered their protectors—including local police, CBI, FBI, and other law enforcement—were all corrupt officials who took pleasure in harming them. It would be a massive scandal, and that betrayal would be seared into their collective memory.
Over an hour into the flight, JJ's phone rang.
"It's Garcia," JJ answered, addressing the group and switching to speaker. "Garcia, you're on speaker, go ahead."
"Okay, breaking news: Red John has struck again," Garcia's voice came through with gravity. "Two women were murdered in their home. I'm sending you the details now."
JJ opened her laptop and showed it to everyone.
"It's Red John," Reid finally pushed aside his anxiety about Chuck's assignment. He looked at the smiley face on the screen and nodded with certainty.
He not only held three doctorates and three bachelor's degrees, but also possessed extensive knowledge in medicine, handwriting analysis, and other fields. He simply hadn't pursued formal degrees in those areas.
He could determine whether the smiley face matched Red John's previous signatures.
"It's a declaration of war," Gideon took a deep breath.
"Declaration of war?" Unit Chief Hotchner frowned. "Does he know we're coming?"
"He must. Based on Red John's typical crime patterns, this one doesn't fit his usual timeline. He's acting ahead of schedule," Gideon nodded. "I think he's telling us he's not concerned about us at all."
"He should be," Chuck said calmly. "Maybe he'll end up as a crying, pathetic fool."
"Will he?" JJ was surprised.
She simply couldn't connect the image of Red John, a notorious serial killer, with the image Chuck described.
The BAU had handled many cases like this, and those serial killers were always defiant, seeking notoriety even after being caught, seemingly afraid of nothing.
Not to mention that Red John was a particularly infamous serial killer.
"It's very likely," Gideon nodded. "Red John's primary targets have been women and children. He appears incredibly cruel and arrogant, but a criminal who preys on vulnerable women and children isn't inherently mentally strong. He relies more on information advantages and power imbalances. Once captured and stripped of these external advantages, he might be even weaker than the serial killers we've dealt with in the past."
"That would be even better," JJ smiled. "I hope you're right."
A crying, begging coward is far preferable to a true psychopath who remains clueless and fearless, even smirking after being apprehended.
Six hours later, the plane landed in Sacramento.
Contrary to most people's assumption that Los Angeles is California's primary hub, the lesser-known city of Sacramento is actually the state capital.
Located in Northern California's Central Valley, along the Sacramento River, Sacramento is the state's sixth-largest city, with a metropolitan population of over 400,000 and a greater metropolitan area of over 2 million.
The headquarters of the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the state-level investigative agency, is located here.
After Chuck and his team disembarked, they drove to CBI headquarters.
"Hello, I'm Aaron Hotchner, Unit Chief of the BAU. This is Supervisory Special Agent Jason Gideon, Special Agent Jennifer Jareau, Special Agent Dr. Spencer Reid, and Dr. Chuck Wolfe, a consultant to the Bureau," Unit Chief Hotchner extended his hand to the female agent who greeted them, making introductions.
The petite female agent smiled and said, "Teresa Lisbon."
(End of Chapter)
If you enjoyed this chapter, leave a Power Stone or Review!
P@atreon/Soulforger (45+ advanced chapters)