Signal Mountain Community Theatre

Signal Mountain, Tennessee

Even from backstage, the audience's reactions could be heard clearly. The actors backstage were too distracted to notice.

"Have you seen Radka?" The stage manager made the rounds, whispering as quietly and intensely as he could. "Do you know where Radka has gotten to?"

"Look in the green room."

"I just came from there. No one's seen her since the funeral scene."

"She's probably hiding in the loading dock, smoking."

"I'll go check. Five minutes 'til curtain call." The stage manager left the backstage area to a whispered chorus of "Thank you five." and made his way to the loading dock – which he would find empty.

Curtain call took place without Radka. After the show all of the actors searched the entire building. After thirty minutes of unsuccessful searching, the stage manager called the police.

When the police officer arrived he gathered all of the details: the actress went missing during the show, she left her purse, cell phone, car keys and street clothes in the dressing room, and her car was still in the parking lot. Although the officer didn't mention his suspicions to the already-worried actors, he immediately called his superiors as he made his way to the victim's house – this case sounded eerily familiar.

Signal Mountain, near the W Road

Two days later

Radka Novotny felt like she was flying, floating weightless in the cold night air. Wishing to take in the full experience she inhaled deeply. Water, not air, filled her mouth and her nose. She coughed and sputtered but only took in more water, deeper into her throat and lungs. Kicking and flailing, fighting to live, she finally felt her head break the surface of the water. In the dark, still trying to catch her breath, Radka barely made her way to the water's edge and slowly and painfully pulled herself out of the water.

F.B.I., Offices of the B.A.U

Quantico, VA

The B.A.U. team had gathered in the small conference room. Special Agent Hotchner walked in and took a quick glance around the room.

"Where is Reid?"

"He took a vacation day." Everyone looked at Special Agent Gideon in shock. "He mentioned taking Ann-Elise to the doctor's office – it's her last follow-up appointment and she hasn't been cleared to drive yet."

"That is fine. We can get him caught up on the case later. Right now we've only been asked to create a profile and advise the local P.D.'s. In the last five weeks three woman have disappeared in and around Chattanooga, Tennessee." Hotchner walked over to the white board, three pictures and details were already posted. "The first victim is Lily Sanchez, a high school senior. She had just finished her school's production of Romeo and Juliet. She disappeared from a party at the director's house. Witnesses say she left between 1:30 and 2:00 in the morning. She never arrived home. Her car has not been found."

Special Agent Morgan had been looking at the file and looked up as Hotchner paused.

"Did she have a boyfriend? Or enemies?"

"The local P.D. has ruled out her boyfriend as a suspect – he was still at the party for an hour after she left. No one remembers her leaving with anyone and according to her family she was well liked at school."

"Was there drinking at the party? Could there have been a one-car accident?"

"No, the party was at the teacher's house and he made sure it was dry. She was only five miles from home and the roads have been searched thoroughly." Hotchner turned a few pages in the folder.

Agent Jennifer Jareau cell phone rang and she excused herself, stepping outside into the hallway.

"The second victim is Elizabeth Sanders, 29. She was reported missing by her husband when he returned from a business trip to find her car, in the driveway, with the driver's door open and the house empty. She had just completed a production of 'Night Mother. The third victim has only been missing for two days. Radka Novotny disappeared from a local theatre just after her final scene. The police contacted us when they realized the similarities between the victims: they are all young women, involved in theatre and who have disappeared during or after the final performance."

J.J. stepped back into the room.

"That was the Signal Mountain Police Department. The third victim was found alive. They are asking us to come in now." Hotchner looked at his watch.

"Gideon, call in Reid. We leave in an hour and one half."

Kings County Medical Offices

Ann-Elise Miller practically ran into the waiting room, a huge grin on her face. She stopped right in front of Agent Spencer Reid. He looked up at her, sliding his book into his leather messenger bag at the same time.

"I'm going to surmise from your positive countenance that you've been given a clean bill of health."

"I can go back to work Monday – which conveniently is the first day of Spring Break – I can stop taking the pain pills and the sleeping pills, and most importantly, I can drive again."

Reid stood up, putting his bag over his shoulder. He pulled the car keys from his pocket.

"Wonderful. I need to ask a favor."

"Anything."

"They've called me in – a new case. Could you drive me to my place so I can get my bag and then drop me off so I can catch the plane? You can just keep my car until I get back."

"Sure." Ann-Elise didn't even try to hide her disappointment. Reid playfully threw her the keys, which she caught easily. "So much for your day off."