The Intelligence Control and Analysis Program

Chapter 11

Strauss shook her head calmly. "I don't think you would. But a good lawyer will question where you've been, who you've met with, and whether you've been supervised. We need to be able to defeat every argument the defense makes, completely and decisively. Tracking your movements, however unnecessary, is one way we can do this."

Emily stamped down her initial reaction, unable to deny the truth in the statement. "Garcia should have one, too," she commented. "Especially because ICAP has her listed as a flight risk."

Spencer nodded, looking between the two women. "I understand. I won't fuss about wearing it."

Strauss nodded and set the packet aside, grabbing the next one. "I appreciate your cooperation. I'm sure much of this feels like being punished for good behavior."

Spencer shook his head, chewing on his lip.

Emily allowed herself to relax slightly, shifting her brain from a mode designed to protect Spencer into a mode designed to protect the case. Of course, it was still protecting Spencer, but it was a long-term protection, and if Strauss had other unfair ideas that could keep Spencer safe from ICAP indefinitely... well, Emily was going to help, not hinder.

"This is a list of people in the BAU I want you to start working with. I'll have Agent Hotchner go over it and make any necessary changes, but it's important that we have more than two emotionally distanced perspectives." Strauss adjusted her glasses slightly and leaned back in her chair, letting out a quiet sigh. "Section Chief West, while a good friend and a phenomenal agent, is known for her overly caring nature. I know she took to you quickly, and that's wonderful, but it's something that will be used against us at every possible turn."

Spencer wet his lips and reached out cautiously. "May I see the list?"

Strauss handed the envelope across the desk, sitting in silence as Spencer pulled out the sheets and sped through them. She made brief eye contact with Emily, and while Emily wasn't Strauss' biggest fan, she acknowledged what Strauss was trying to do and offered an affirmative nod to show her support.

Spencer put the papers away and handed the envelope back. "Thank you," he said quietly, fidgeting in his chair. "I... I, um... don't really know what I'm supposed to do with those people to, um, to help the case."

Strauss nodded her head, completely understanding, which earned more brownie points from Emily. "I want you to work with them and consult on cases outside of the ones Agent Hotchner's team handles. If Genius 4381 is willing, I would like to have her do the same."

It took a moment for Emily to register Strauss was talking about Garcia, but Spencer simply nodded and waited for Strauss to keep going.

"You know why ICAP places such heavy restraints on geniuses and their contact with the outside world, correct?" Strauss folded her arms on her desk and leaned forward slightly, meeting Spencer's eyes.

Spencer offered a jerky, almost nervous nod. "Yeah, um—because we're so smart, we could manipulate the general population into doing what we want. Or at least, that's the theory."

Strauss offered a nod of her own, significantly more controlled and dignified. "Exactly. That's something else the defense is going to use against us. They'll try and claim you've manipulated Agent Hotchner's team, first into sympathizing with you, then into sympathizing with geniuses as a whole." Strauss held up a finger, and if Emily didn't know better, she would have said she saw a faint smile tugging at the corner of Strauss' mouth. "We have some advantages. One, this is the BAU. If anybody knows how to predict and resist manipulation, it's profilers. Two, if we can get you working with more and more profilers and agents, the probability that you're manipulating all of them decreases."