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Malcolm did not like the look Gil had when he approached him that morning.
“Kid,” he starts, wary. “I have a favor for a friend I have to ask you.”
“As long as it doesn’t include my mother, fine.”
“A friend at the New York FBI office called in an old favor. He works in White Collar Division.”
“Okay… the FBI and I are not on very good terms, but okay. What is it? How can I help? The FBI has people that profile crimes if that’s what he needs. I used to work there. If you need me to get in contact with one of them, it won’t work. None of them like me very much, a-”
“Kid,” Gil interrupts. “He wants a profile of a person, a con. He feels that the FBI profilers are biased. He just wants an impartial profile.”
Malcolm nods, “Yeah, I can do that. Who am I profiling?”
“I don’t know yet. We’re going to meet my friend over lunch.” Malcolm nods again. “Go get to work on the paperwork. I’ll come to get you for lunch in a few hours.” With that, Gil turns on his heel and starts back towards his office.
“Hey, Gil?” Gil turns back. “What’s his name? This friend.”
Gil smiles, “Burke.”
A few hours later, Malcolm and Gil are in Gil’s car, headed to a small cafe for lunch to meet with Agent Burke. They arrive and sit at a small table to wait. A few moments later, a middle-aged man in a Brooks Brothers suit turns the corner and heads towards their table. He looks like one of the ‘stop at nothing to get the truth’ guys. Gil stands and extends a hand towards him, “Peter,” he greets.
“Gil,” Agent Burke responds with a nod. “Who’s this?” He asks while gesturing towards Malcolm.
Malcolm stands, “Malcolm Bright, forensic profiler, acquired taste,” Gil makes the introduction. “Peter Burke, FBI White Collar Division, the Archaeologist.”
“Hi,” Malcolm shakes Burke’s hand.
Burke nods and the three sit. Burke pulls out a file, “Thank you, Gil, Mr. Bright.”
Malcolm looks through the files while Gil and Burke continue talking. “What am I looking for?” He asks.
“He offered to be a CI on a tracking anklet. I want to know if I can trust him.”
Malcolm nods, “Non-violent. Doesn’t steal from anyone who can’t afford it. He doesn’t want to hurt people. Con man, so deceit and manipulation are a given. Pattern of violation and disregard for other’s rights. Breaking laws, disobeying rules, lies, the only thing not fitting is the fact that he does care for others in some way,” he muses aloud.
“Kid,” Gil starts, “What are you thinking?”
“Anti-Social Personality Disorder, more commonly known as sociopathy. He shows an abundance of the symptoms, but he doesn’t exhibit one of the main signs- a disregard for others entirely. He does care for others, he makes connections, he cares. He definitely has ASPD tendencies and symptoms, but he doesn’t have the disorder.”
Burke interrupts, “We caught him by leaking his girlfriend’s location to him. He’d been searching for her, she knew she was being watched though, and he’s too smart to not have known. He purposefully walked into a trap to see her again.”
Malcolm nods, “my point exactly. He cares. He has sociopathic tendencies, but he is not a sociopath. I think, that when it comes down to it, you can trust him. However,” Malcolm stops Burke from answering, “it may take a while for him to learn to trust others.”
Burke nods, “Thank you.” He stands and gathers his files, “I have to get back to the office and start the paperwork for a CI.” He shakes each of their hands and walks away.
A few years later, a bottle of Bordeaux was sent to Malcolm with a note attached.
‘Thank you for convincing him to give me a chance
-N.C.’