deep end, cm [ 1 ]

019. machismo

They're on the jet and on their way to Mexico. JJ turns in her seat, looking at Hotch who is slightly slumped down in his seat.

"Hey." She calls to him. "At least you get to spend your birthday weekend in Mexico." She says, trying to cheer him up.

"Yeah. What's doghouse in Spanish?" Hotch asks.

""La casa del pair-o."" Spencer says.

"La casita del perro." Elle corrects.

"That's what I said." Spencer says.

"Face it, chico. You are only a genius in English." Elle says, getting up to get coffee.

"Spanish? Since when?" Derek asks.

"I'm full of hidden mysteries." Elle says.

"All right, so why are there so few serial killers in Mexico?" JJ asks.

"They probably have as many as we do, but they document almost none of them." Hotch says.

"Why is that?" JJ asks.

"It's the Chikatilo syndrome." Gideon says.

"The what?" JJ asks.

"Andre Chickatilo, he's one of the most prolific serial killers of the 20th century." Spencer says. "By the time they found him, he had killed more than 50 people."

"He was no more experienced than any average serial killer, but he lived in the Soviet Ukraine. The Soviets were convinced, the serial killers is a uniquely American phenomenon. Inevitable result of decadent capitalism." Gideon says.

"So, what's the cultural bias in Mexico?" JJ asks.

"Many Mexicans believe that serial killers are the result of the break down of the family, which gives rise to the kind of alienated loner who becomes a serial killer." Hotch explains.

"It's a fact that there are 12 times as many broken families in the U.S. than in Mexico." Spencer says, looking back at Elle for his pronunciation of Mexico. She smiles and points at him.

"All right, so is it possible that there are fewer serial killers in Mexican culture?" JJ asks.

"It is possible. But in my experience, evil is not a cultural phenomenon." Gideon says. "It's a human one."

+++

They get to the station and get out of the cop cars.

"Nothing like jet sleep, right?" Derek asks.

"Yeah, kind of like a night of drinking without the drinking." Elle says.

"Agent Gideon." A cop greets with a smile.

"Captain Navarro." The two shake hands.

"You're shorter than I remember."

"I was on a stage." Gideon chuckles.

"This is Lieutenant Borquez." Navarro informs.

"Hello." Gideon shakes his hand. "This is my team. Captain Navarro has been put in charge of the case by the assistant attorney general."

"You guys got history?" Derek asks.

"We met at a seminar I gave at Mexico City a few years ago." Gideon informs.

""Sexual Homicide in Latin America."" Navarro states. "I just read a chapter on the subject in Max Ryan's book."

"Where do you think I got it from?" Gideon remarks.

"I'm glad you came. I was never sure how much you liked me." Navarro says.

"Why is that?" Elle slightly chuckles.