As soon as Hotch had finished briefing the new arrivals on the latest developments, Garcia headed for the nearby Admissions Office to find a computer she could use.
Hotch, Rossi, JJ, and Blake were busy discussing what they needed to do next when Morgan flew out of the elevator. "Hotch," he told his supervisor. "We have cleared the entire building. She's not here! The staff says they think there was some food and drinks missing off meal trays on the third floor, and it appears that a nearby shower may have been used. There also appear to be some scrubs missing from the laundry room, but we can't find Christine!"
"What do you mean – You can't find her!" Reid screamed at him. "She has to be here somewhere!"
"Spence, calm down!" JJ put her hand on his arm in an attempt to calm him. "I'm sure Christine is around here someplace. We just have to slow down and think about it."
"JJ's right," Rossi added. "She couldn't have just disappeared into thin air."
"Are you sure she didn't just step outside for some fresh air?" Blake suggested. "After everything she has been through, she may have decided she needed some alone time."
"And, you're probably going through caffeine withdrawal," Morgan pointed out. "Is there coffee available somewhere around here?"
"There is a vending machine in the cafeteria," Reid told him. "However – "
"I don't think any of us will be patronizing vending machines anytime in the near future," Blake finished his thought.
"Ah – Guys," Garcia called to them from the door of the Admissions Office. "I'm logged on to the computer in here, and you really need to see this."
"Kevin accessed the hospital's security tapes," Garcia explained once they were all standing in front of the computer screen. "And, take a look." As they watched, she began running the tape for the emergency room pedestrian door during past hour.
"Okay – Right There!" Garcia stopped the film at the 43 minute mark. "Let me enlarge this part of the picture. Do you see her?"
The picture Garcia enlarged showed a line of hospital employees leaving at the end of their shift. They were all standing patiently, waiting to be cleared by the security guards.
"Yes, that's definitely Christine in line," Blake agreed.
"She's dressed in the missing scrubs," JJ observed. "But, what is she doing?"
"Watch closely," Garcia advised as she started the tape running.
As they watched, Christine casually turned to address a comment to several of the people standing in line behind her. Effortlessly, she appropriated the hospital ID badge of an employee standing several persons back. After flashing the badge and clearing security, she just as adroitly returned the badge to the proper person.
Reid groaned. "I taught her that," he confessed. "One day when we were watching a street magician, I explained how the trick was done, and then practiced it with her."
"So, she's out of the hospital," Blake observed.
"Garcia, you need to widen your search," Hotch ordered.
"Already working on it!" Garcia was missing her usual bounce. "Kevin is currently looking through – Wait a minute!"
"What is it?" Reid demanded. "Where is that?"
Another film had appeared on the computer screen. This one appeared to show the interior of a bus.
"This is the security camera from a city bus that stopped in front of the hospital approximately 30 minutes ago," Kevin's voice came through the speaker. "Wait a minute – There – There she is!"
As the team watched, Christine climbed onto the bus, took a seat next to a hospital employee, and began speaking with her.
"Kevin – You'll need to run facial recognition software on that employee to ID her," Hotch instructed the tech.
As the team watched, the bus traveled past a number of stops before Christine stood up, walked to the door, and got off.
"Do we know what stop that is?" Rossi asked.
"I show it as being the Vernor Street stop," Kevin replied.
"Garcia," Hotch called out.
"Already checking for traffic cams, security cameras, and ATMs in the vicinity," Garcia replied quickly.
"Good! In the meantime, JJ, Blake, Morgan – You get down there and start canvassing the area!"
Reid stared helplessly at the computer screen, and then sank into one of the visitor chairs. "I don't believe this is happening!" he moaned as he put his hands over his face.
"Don't worry, my favorite genius," Garcia walked over and put her arms around him. "We know where she is now. We will find her!"