As everyone stared in shock, JJ covered her forehead and turned her face away, looking like she couldn't bear to watch. Emily, with a cold expression, nudged her with her elbow, signaling that if she didn't handle this pervert, she would take matters into her own hands.
"You're saying she's infatuated with the killer?" Reid, ever the rational thinker during cases, was the first to grasp what Jack was implying.
"Not necessarily with the killer, but more likely with the abuse scenarios he describes. I suspect Agent Moss has a deep-seated masochistic tendency. Despite her outwardly strong and independent demeanor, there's a very dark side to her psyche."
Jack quietly breathed a sigh of relief, confident that his judgment had been accurate.
"When did you realize this?" Hotchner, aware that they were treading into scandalous territory, discreetly closed the office door.
"There wasn't a specific moment," Jack said, removing his gloves and scratching his head, unsure how to explain. "It was just small things that felt off. For example, whenever a new victim was found, she'd become unusually excited. She risked everything, gambling her career just to get our help in catching the killer.
She was desperate to make statements through the media to get the killer's attention, even trying to give him a flashy nickname. And after learning from our analysis that the killer hadn't stopped, she became almost giddy. Not to mention the recent changes in her makeup and wardrobe."
"But we all noticed those things," Emily said, now questioning whether everything she'd learned was for nothing. Why had Jack picked up on something no one else had?
"Yes, all of these behaviors could be explained by her eagerness to make a name for herself, her desire for career advancement, or even having a crush on Rossi."
Jack wasn't about to admit he'd previously been sneaking glances at her thighs—no matter if it was for the case, he'd be labeled a pervert. So, he pinned it on Rossi, causing the latter to immediately flush with embarrassment and explain.
"She's just a fan of my books. There's absolutely nothing romantic between us; that much I can guarantee."
Jack nodded in agreement. "Exactly, and that's where I noticed something strange.
If I'm not mistaken, aside from that night after Hotch reprimanded her, when she apologized and maybe had a drink with you, there haven't been any private meetings between you two. Yet we all assumed her recent change in appearance was due to her having a crush on you."
"So, her behavior changes were because of the case's progress? Because she felt like she was getting closer to the killer?" Emily realized.
"At first, it was just a dirty thought I had. I swear, if you were locked in a dark room for 48 hours watching those cursed tapes, your mind would go there too."
Emily rolled her eyes and rubbed away the goosebumps on her arms, begrudgingly accepting Jack's explanation.
"Well, except for our perfectly rational Dr. Reid."
Jack's comment made Reid think he was genuinely being praised, and he proudly lifted his head, leaving the others momentarily unsure how to react.
"Then I asked JJ to gather some information about Agent Moss through public channels, and as it turns out, I may have stumbled onto something."
---
"Jill Moss, unmarried, 37 years old. She joined police academy training in 2007, scored 99 in her combat courses, and became a detective with the Philadelphia Police Department in 2014. Four years ago, she applied to join the FBI and graduated from Quantico with excellent marks.
She comes from a single-parent household and is the youngest child. However, despite this, both her father and her two brothers doted on her. It seems she had a poor relationship with her father, blaming his weakness for her mother leaving the family.
It's a stellar résumé. Other than the single-parent family background and some controversial feminist remarks she made in school, there's nothing particularly unusual."
With his internal clearance, Hotchner had easily pulled up Agent Moss's file. But despite scrutinizing it for a while, he found nothing out of the ordinary.
"Do you remember telling me about the 'disinhibition hypothesis'?" Jack's question suddenly made Rossi realize where he was going.
The 'disinhibition hypothesis' is a concept in social psychology. It suggests that individuals, while undergoing socialization, may be restricted by certain rules, customs, and limitations, affecting their self-awareness and self-realization.
This influence can cause people to display unnatural self-control, anxiety, discomfort, and feelings of inadequacy. As a result, they may engage in behaviors to release these inhibitions and alleviate psychological pressure, a process known as 'disinhibition.'
This behavior can manifest in various ways, from self-control and self-exposure to self-expression. Taken further, the hypothesis can be used to explain behaviors like exhibitionism, sadomasochism, and even 'keyboard warriors' or online trolling.
Rossi elaborated, "Freud believed that the sadist is the power center in sadomasochistic relationships, but with the development of psychology, modern psychologists generally agree that the sadist's power comes from what the masochist grants them. The masochist, in fact, holds the power in the relationship.
In such relationships, both parties seek to influence the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors of the other, while simultaneously resisting the influence and impact the other brings."
Jack, looking like an eager student, picked up where Rossi left off to complete his summary.
"Therefore, contrary to popular belief, a person's social role is often opposite to the role they play in such a relationship. For example, feminists often assume the role of the masochist rather than the 'queen.'
Agent Moss, as a strong, career-driven woman, has found herself trapped in a one-sided sadomasochistic relationship. On one hand, she wants to capture the killer to further her career. But on the other hand, she's drawn to the imaginative and detailed descriptions, secretly desiring to become the killer's 'sacrifice,' experiencing the ultimate mix of pain and pleasure."
"So, you're saying she knowingly walked into a trap set by the killer?" Hotchner asked in a grave tone.
Jack wracked his brain, trying to find an English idiom or proverb from Western culture that could express the idea of "a moth flying into a flame." When he couldn't think of anything, he gave up and resorted to a direct translation.
"It's very likely. Like a moth to a flame, relentlessly chasing the light, even if it means getting burned."
Rossi seemed slightly moved by the phrase, sighing, "Honestly, I'm looking forward to reading that novel you write one day."
Hotchner's furrowed brow deepened to the point where it looked like it could crush a fly between the creases.
"Our primary goal is to find the killer as soon as possible. Agent Moss's issues will remain confidential for now. I'll write a formal report on it after the case is closed.
Jack, go check with the tech team and push them to locate Agent Moss's vehicle. Once you have it, head to the scene with Rossi. Reid, contact Garcia and track down the IP address that sent that email. The rest of us will continue screening the suspect list."
---
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