American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop

After clearing the room of unnecessary personnel, only the BAU team, Angela, Tim, and John remained. Hotchner began analyzing the case.

"We need to profile this suspect from multiple angles. He shares similarities with De Clerambault's Syndrome, or erotomania, but there are also some key differences."

John raised his hand, curious. "Is erotomania what we typically call a stalker? Like a creepy, obsessive stalker?"

Jack nodded and briefly explained a case from before Emily and Hotchner officially joined the team, involving twin sisters kidnapped by such a stalker.

"Stalkers with erotomania are usually trapped in a delusional state, where they believe they are in a romantic relationship with someone of higher social status. In this country, at any given time, more than 200,000 people are being stalked or harassed," Jack explained.

Emily chimed in, "Our suspect likely fantasizes that he's in a relationship with Lila Archi, similar to how John Hinckley fixated on Jodie Foster."

John Hinckley was infamous for attempting to assassinate President Ronald Reagan in 1981 to win the attention of actress Jodie Foster. His obsession began after watching Taxi Driver, where Foster played a child prostitute, and the main character attempted to assassinate a politician. Hinckley believed replicating this would win her love.

Hinckley, a wealthy man, became obsessed with Foster but decided not to use money to win her affection. Instead, he attempted to gain her attention by targeting Reagan.

Unfortunately for Reagan, he dodged the first five bullets but couldn't avoid the sixth, which ricocheted off the bulletproof car and lodged in his lung. Ironically, the bullet that nearly killed Reagan was a .22 caliber.

"Lila Archi didn't even know she was being stalked until today, which means the suspect doesn't want to draw her attention. He likely sees himself as a low-profile but violent guardian angel," Hotchner continued his analysis.

"But we need to be cautious—when stalkers feel betrayed by the person they obsess over, it often leads to tragic outcomes," Rossi added. He then mentioned the case of actress Rebecca Schaeffer, who was killed by a stalker after he saw her in a romantic scene on TV, feeling that she had "betrayed" him.

"Based on what we know, we can profile the suspect as a single male, aged between 25 and 45, socially awkward but intelligent. He has enough time and resources to track Lila and study her habits. Although he hasn't directly targeted Lila yet, the note on the newspaper suggests he's shifting his focus from her surroundings to her," Rossi concluded.

Just as Rossi finished speaking, Reid entered the room. Rossi added one more thing: "And this doesn't mean that anyone who seems to have a romantic connection with Lila won't become a target either."

"What?" Reid looked around, confused, as everyone stared at him.

——

"So this is how they shoot TV shows, huh?"

Jack, who had watched countless TV series but had never been on a real set before, was seeing the behind-the-scenes for the first time. Although the sun was shining brightly, the October weather on Los Angeles' beaches wasn't exactly warm. Yet on this private beach rented by the production crew, actors and actresses in swim trunks and bikinis were laughing and playing, pretending it was still the heat of summer despite the chilly breeze.

"And that's why I never wanted to become an actor," Jack boasted, tossing a pile of business cards and phone numbers into the trash.

He'd been handed cards from sharp-eyed directors, agents, and even a few vaguely familiar minor celebrities. Some were especially forward, using the opportunity to flirt while handing over their cards, which left JJ, who was wearing sunglasses, with a constant scowl.

Before she'd put on her sunglasses, JJ had received just as many cards as Jack. Meanwhile, poor Reid had caught the attention of a few older women, whose predatory gazes unnerved all three of them.

Since they were at the beach, Jack and JJ had dressed casually—Jack in a Hawaiian shirt and shorts, and JJ in a tank top and denim shorts, both looking effortlessly stylish. Reid, after much coaxing from Jack and JJ, had changed into a simple T-shirt and jeans, which was a vast improvement over his usual sweater vest and dress pants, though he still looked somewhat out of place on the beach.

"There she is." Reid pointed to a nearby umbrella, under which Lila sat on a high stool wrapped in a thick bathrobe while a makeup artist worked on her. Next to her stood her slightly sleazy-looking manager, the two of them seemingly in a heated discussion.

"Come on, you're my most promising client," the manager pleaded.

"No," Lila replied firmly.

"I haven't even made my request yet."

"I'm not going to change my life because of some lunatic."

"Well, maybe you could move into my place or stay at a hotel? Just until the police say you're safe."

"So, are you three here to talk me into something too?" Lila ignored her manager and turned her attention to Jack, Reid, and JJ, clearly amused by their arrival.

Jack shrugged, "If I really thought you were in danger, I'd just pick you up and carry you out of here rather than stand around chit-chatting."

"Uh, Jack's just kidding. We're here to check on you and observe the environment," Reid quickly explained, trying to smooth things over.

Jack exchanged a look with JJ—it seemed Reid was starting to care about this woman more than he realized.

"Okay, I'm off. With you guys here, I feel safer already. Lila, don't be so stubborn," the manager said, pocketing his phone and giving them a quick wave before leaving in a hurry.

"He's actually not a bad guy," Reid commented, watching the manager walk away.

"Yeah, Mike's a bit odd, but he's kind-hearted. He's been my manager since I started out. He's always said I remind him of his daughter during her rebellious phase," Lila said, giving Reid a sweet smile that seemed to fill the air with the scent of budding romance.

"Miss Archi, may we take a look inside your trailer?" Jack got straight to the point.

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