Chapter 2
On a bright Monday morning, Dr. Spencer Reid entered the busy bullpen with his messenger bag over one shoulder. Morgan studied his teammate, and his eyebrows went up as he realized that Reid hummed under his breath and appeared well-rested and inordinately pleased with himself. Also, he didn't have his usual cup of coffee. That was – unexpected.
"Did I drop into the Twilight Zone, or did aliens replace you?"
"What are you talking about?"
"No sugar-laden coffee this morning."
"Jeez, can't a guy start his day without coffee?" Spencer complained as he dropped his bag on the floor next to his desk and sat.
"No! When the "he" in question is you."
"You whine about my caffeine addiction when I drink too much, and you whine when I don't drink at all. What does a person have to do to please you?"
"Hey," Morgan raised his hands raised in surrender. "I'm messing with you, pretty boy. Anyway," he said, switching tactics, "can I ask your advice on a pressing personal problem?"
Spencer eyed him warily. "You want my advice. Are you joking?"
"No. I have a friend, and he's acting a little strange these days."
"Define the word strange, Morgan?"
"He smiles all the time, which is a little creepy. About four months ago, he stopped looking like something the cat dragged into the building. He used to drink enough heavily sugared coffee to either go into a diabetic coma or lose the lining of his stomach."
"So, what, you want me to profile this guy so you can railroad him into giving up his secrets?"
"Yeah, that's what I want. I mean you have this impressive brain, why not use it?"
"Morgan, you're a profiler, why don't you tell me what you think."
"Okay, I will!" Morgan said, irritably. "The way I see it, there are several options."
1. It's an affair with a married woman.
2. A hot new girlfriend he doesn't want to share.
3. A new girlfriend that isn't hot, and he's embarrassed to be seen with her in my company.
Before Reid could respond and possibly give away his secret, Gideon hurried into the bullpen and straight to Reid. "I need to talk to you now."
Reid stood and followed Gideon to his office when his mentor didn't wait for a response."
"What did you do, kid."
Reid ignored him, and when Gideon shut his office door, he said. "What's wrong?"
"When was the last time you spoke with Lily?"
Reid shrugged his shoulders, and his cheeks reddened as he avoided eye contact with the older profiler. "Two nights ago, when I stayed in her apartment."
"When I got to the office this morning, Parker from Q-Doc handed me a thumb drive. It came addressed to me by FedEx. He processed it because it arrived in an overnight envelope. He had to look at it. It's one file, and - you won't like what it shows." Gideon said as he picked up the small stick."
"What's going on?" Reid demanded as his stomach dropped.
"It looks like someone has kidnapped Lily."
"No," Reid denied despite the fear that heated his blood and made his breath wheeze. "That's absurd," Reid said. I'll prove to you she is okay. I'll call her right now."
He pulled out his cell phone and hit the speed-dial for Lily's cell phone. It rang and rang.
His voice shook a little as he got her voicemail.
"Lily, it's me. Call me back as soon as you get this message."
He slapped the phone shut and said: "Her phone must be in airplane mode, which makes sense because she's on her way to Mexico for a shoot. We had dinner, and I helped her pack for the trip."
"Has she said anything about anyone bothering her or feeling like someone might be watching her?"
"No. There's nothing like that going on, Gideon. There has to be some mistake."
"We need to fill in the team and get their help."
"Gideon, I don't want to tell the team about Lily."
"Reid."
Reid's eyes stayed glued to the floor. "Why do I have to bare my soul to the team. Why can't I have something that's for me alone? I'm sick of my life on display for everyone."
"Spencer."
"No, you're right. We have to inform the team. Let's go."
He jumped up and hurried from the office as if the hounds of hell were on his heels. Gideon sighed and pushed up from his chair. Why couldn't he protect their youngest from more pain?
CMCMCMCMCMCMCM
Ten minutes later, the team assembled in the conference room. Agent Hotchner addressed them as soon as they gathered. "Gideon will take the lead in this case, everyone."
Gideon took a deep breath and said, "We have a situation, people."
Elle glanced at JJ. "I have never seen him this shook up," she whispered. The media liaison just shook her head.
"Reid has some information to share, and I've asked Garcia to join us and play a video file I received this morning.
Garcia stared at Gideon in surprise when he handed her the memory stick. She inserted it into her laptop and waited with her finger poised on the keys.
"I – um," Reid began. "I met someone one four months ago. Her name is Lily. Gideon has reason to believe that someone kidnapped her. I just tried to call her, and she doesn't answer. I saw her two nights ago."
Everyone stared in silence until Gideon broke it. "Garcia, will you please open the file."
"Spencer, when I got here an hour ago, I was given this videotape." He nodded at JJ, who pointed her remote at the video player. As the tape started, she passed out file folders of the new case.
On-screen, there was a small windowless room with a cot and someone sitting on it. The camera zoomed in on the face of the person, and Dr. Reid flinched as if struck. It was a young woman with short dark blond hair and a pretty face. Her brown eyes stared straight ahead. The camera pulled back, and Spencer could see her hands and feet were bound.
"Dr. Reid, a voice said, "We meet again. I am sorry about the theatrics, but I had to get your
attention. To make sure I keep your attention, I promise you that your precious Lily is alive.
It is up to you to keep it that way. So, let's play a little game of hide and seek, shall we? There are two rules to this game. First, Agents Gideon and Hotchner, you will not take Dr. Reid off this case, or make him disappear into protective custody. Second, when you do find my hiding place, I want you to come alone, Dr. Reid or your girlfriend won't be so pretty when you next see her.
I look forward to seeing you again soon.
