Chapter Text
DIRECTOR_CRAWFORD: Katz. My office. Now.
BevLuvzKatz: On my way, Boss. Did someone die, or did Zeller finally break the centrifuge?
Z_Man_: HEY!
Z_Man_: And for the record, it was a calibration error.
DaPriceIsRight: A "calibration error" that sounded remarkably like a cat in a blender, Brian.
DIRECTOR_CRAWFORD: ENOUGH!
The door to Jack’s office swung open. Beverly didn't even look up from her screen as she slid into the leather chair opposite his desk. "You called?"
"Will Graham," Jack said, his voice dropping into that gravelly register that signaled a command, not a suggestion. "He’s isolated. He’s twitchy. And if he’s going to be my Special Consultant, he needs to be part of the infrastructure. Add him to the chat."
Beverly arched a perfectly groomed eyebrow. "You want me to drag the man who hates eye contact into a digital room full of forensic snark? Jack, that’s like throwing a stray kitten into a kennel of Dobermans."
"He needs to feel welcomed," Jack insisted, leaning forward. "He needs to feel like he has a support system. Make it happen."
Beverly sighed, her thumbs flying across the glass. "Don't say I didn't warn you. He’s probably going to delete the app within ten minutes."
BevLuvzKatz has added ProfGraham to the chat.
BevLuvzKatz: Everyone, play nice! I’ve officially kidnapped Will Graham and brought him into our little digital circle of hell. Welcome to the chat, Will! 🥂
Dr_Bloom: Glad you decided to join us, Will. I know you prefer your privacy, but it’s much easier than tracking you down by phone when we have a lead.
DaPriceIsRight: Welcome aboard, Graham! Don't mind the smell, it’s mostly just Zeller’s ego and old coffee.
Z_Man_: Very funny, Jimmy. Welcome, Graham. Try not to break the vibe.
H_Lecter_MD: A pleasure to see you in this digital space, Will. I find that the immediacy of these platforms can be quite... revealing. A window into the subconscious through the speed of one's syntax.
DIRECTOR_CRAWFORD: Graham, this is for case updates only. Keep the chatter professional.
ProfGraham: 👍
BevLuvzKatz: ...That’s it? A thumbs up?
DaPriceIsRight: It’s the universal sign for 'I am acknowledging your existence under duress.'
Z_Man_: I’ve seen more personality from a DNA swab.
Dr_Bloom: Give him time. It’s a lot of voices at once.
H_Lecter_MD: On the contrary, Alana. I find the brevity rather poetic. Will is a man of singular focus. One wonders what he is doing with the time he saves by not typing out his greetings.
ProfGraham: Read: 9:47 AM
BevLuvzKatz: Is he ghosting us already?
DIRECTOR_CRAWFORD: Everyone, get back to the evidence. We have a scene in Bloomington to prep for.
Beverly looked up from her phone, catching Jack’s eye. "There. He’s in. He’s 'welcomed.' Happy?"
Jack grunted, looking at the single blue thumb on his screen. "It’s a start, Katz. It’s a start.”
The digital tension in the chat was thick enough to be analyzed for DNA. Jack had left the conversation to take a call from the Director, leaving the "kids" alone in the sandbox with their new, extremely silent playmate.
BevLuvzKatz: Okay, since Will is being a man of few words, let’s play a game to break the ice. 🧊🔨
DaPriceIsRight: Oh, I love games. Is it 'Guess the Cause of Death'? Because I’m betting on 'Boredom' for Graham.
Z_Man_: I’m in. What are the rules?
BevLuvzKatz: It’s called Two Truths and a Lie: BSU Edition. Will, you’re up first. Give us three "facts" about yourself. We guess the lie. @ProfGraham
Dr_Bloom: This might be a bit much for him, Beverly.
H_Lecter_MD: On the contrary, Alana. A game of deception is the perfect environment for Will. It allows him to hide in plain sight. I am eager to see which "truths" he deems palatable for us.
BevLuvzKatz: Come on, Will! Just three quick things. Don’t make me come over there and type it for you.
ProfGraham: Read 11:04 AM
DaPriceIsRight: Ouch. The dreaded 'Read' receipt.
Z_Man_: It’s like being ghosted by a haunted house.
BevLuvzKatz: Fine, if Will won't start, I will!
1; I once accidentally swapped a crime scene sample with my lunch.
2; I have a tattoo of a chemical formula on my ankle.
3; I’ve never actually seen a full episode of The X-Files.
Z_Man_: 1 is definitely true, I saw you almost eat a swab in '09.
DaPriceIsRight: 3 is the lie. No self-respecting lab tech hasn't seen Mulder and Scully.
BevLuvzKatz: Wrong! 3 is true. Too much work, not enough aliens. Your turn, Will! Give us anything! @ProfGraham
ProfGraham: Read 11:15 AM
Dr_Bloom: Will, you don't have to play if you're uncomfortable. But a simple "No" would suffice.
H_Lecter_MD: I suspect Will is currently weighing the tactical advantage of silence. By not participating, he remains the only one in the room whose cards are not on the table. It’s quite a powerful position, isn't it, Will?
ProfGraham: Read 11:20 AM
Z_Man_: Okay, this is just getting awkward now. It’s like talking to a digital gargoyle.
DaPriceIsRight: He’s literally watching us type. I can see the 'typing' bubble pop up for a split second and then vanish. He’s teasing us. He’s a digital tease.
BevLuvzKatz: Will. Seriously. One fact. Just one.
ProfGraham: Read 11:30 AM
BevLuvzKatz: UNBELIEVABLE. 😤
H_Lecter_MD: Patience, Beverly. A stray dog does not approach the hand simply because it offers a whistle. It requires a more... enticing bait.
Beverly tossed her phone onto the lab bench with a groan. "He’s doing it on purpose." She muttered to Jimmy. "He’s sitting in that lecture hall or his backyard, watching us make fools of ourselves. And he’s just... reading."
"It's a power move." Jimmy said, grinning as he adjusted his glasses. "The 'Seen' at 11:30 AM is the new 'I don't like you.'"
Beverly narrowed her eyes at her computer screen. "He thinks he can play the silent protagonist? Fine. If he won't give us facts, I'll go find some myself.”
Private Message: @H_Lecter_MD → @ProfGraham
H_Lecter_MD: Will, I feel compelled to reach out privately. Our colleagues, while brilliant in their respective fields, possess the social nuance of a battering ram. I apologize if their "game" felt like an interrogation.
ProfGraham: Read 12:45 PM
H_Lecter_MD: You needn't reply. I merely wanted to assure you that I understand the sanctuary of silence. To be observed is to be changed; to be scrutinized by a committee is to be dissected while still alive.
H_Lecter_MD: Jack views this chat as a leash. Beverly views it as a petri dish. I view it as an unfortunate necessity.
ProfGraham: You’re doing it too.
H_Lecter_MD: Doing what, Will?
ProfGraham: Dissecting. You’re just using a smaller scalpel so I don't feel the sting as much.
H_Lecter_MD: A fair observation. Perhaps I am simply more interested in the specimen than the others are.
H_Lecter_MD: Rest assured, your "Two Truths" are safe with me. Though, I suspect the truth of Will Graham is far more than two-fold.
ProfGraham: Read 13:02 PM
H_Lecter_MD: Until our session this evening, Will. I shall ensure the wine is as quiet as your phone.
ProfGraham: Read 13:05PM