deep end, cm [ 1 ]

053. identity

"A popular theory among leading astrophysicists estimates that the hyper matter reactor would need about 10 to the 32nd jewels of energy to destroy a planet the size of earth. Now, Lucas said it took 19 years to built the first Death Star, right? But if you look at the new essential chronology, there's a testbed prototype for a super laser that spans--"

"Where are you going?" Spencer asks when Derek gets up and starts to walk away.

"Taking back the last 5 minutes of my life." The older man states.

"You can't go in there." Spencer says, noticing Derek head for Rossi's office.

"Don't you want to know about this guy?" Derek asks.

"I do." Emily gets up and follows.

"Count me in." Jessica immediately follows.

"Wha-- Jess." Spencer frowns.

"Come on, goody goody." Jessica prompts.

"Got it all memorized -- his books, his bio." Spencer says.

"Yeah, books that have sold over a million copies." Derek says.

"So?" Spencer asks, stopping at the bottom of the stairs.

"That's a million reasons not to come back, if you know what I'm saying." Derek says, rubbing his fingers together.

"Huh." Emily hums as the three walk into the office. "Taupe walls. That's a negative color. Cold, distant. You know, emotionally, taupe is linked to loneliness and the desire to escape from the world."

"I just figured the guy's walls would be covered with plaques and commendations." Derek says.

"Huh. Maybe he doesn't want to be reminded of past victories." Emily says. "It's a new chapter for him."

"What happened to the moratorium on inter-team profiling, guys?" Spencer asks, standing by the door.

"When have any of us ever listened to that?" Jessica questions.

"Come on, Reid, team? I don't think this guy knows the meaning of the word." Derek says. "Oh, I found something." He picks a painting up. "Looks like some type of religious art." He says as Spencer walks over.

"Original, maybe?" Derek shrugs. "Definitely expensive." He lets Spencer take it.

"It's renaissance art." Spencer notes. "If that's original..." He inspects it.

"Is it?" Jessica excitedly grins, leaning into her boyfriend to inspect the art.

"I don't know, it's kinda hard to tell. Means he's into the classics." Spencer says.

"What else?" Emily asks.

"Uh, Italian, strict Catholic upbringing. Probably believes in redemption." Spencer says.

"Well, I believe in a lot of things." The four straighten up. Jessica steps to be hidden behind her boyfriend. "Catholic, yes. Italian-American, 52 years. Strict upbringing, not so much. Now, the artwork, that's 15th century, original. Cost more than my first house. And as for the wall color, it's just a base coat. Painters will come in and finish tomorrow."

"Now, if you're all finished, I think JJ and Hotch are ready for us." Rossi says, holding the painting. "Isn't that how a team works?"

Jessica grips onto the back of Spencer's shirt as he beelines out of the room, the woman gluing herself to him.

Derek and Emily soon follow.

"Great Falls, Montana. Over the past 14 months, 3 women have been reported missing." JJ informs. "Michelle Lawford, Jennifer Hillbridge, and Darcy Cranwell. All young Caucasian brunettes. After an extensive search, all were presumed dead by local authorities."