The glass-encased hallways of NYPD served as a maze to Mac and Stella as they ascended the stairs towards Mac's office. Stella was briefing Mac on the Abby Gelman disappearance as they walked.
"Abby Gelman, 33 years old, native of Bozeman, Montana but her latest address is right here in Manhattan. She's a writer, a novelist, assuming the pen name Carol Delaney"
Stella said as she showed Mac the book "Cross Country" which Abby earlier gave to Lindsay.
"How do you know?" Mac asked.
They enter Mac's office.
"I called Bantam books, they confirmed it. She sent in the drafts, they sent royalty checks to her" Stella continued. "I've looked through the first pages. Good stuff"
"Do we know of anyone who wants to harm her?" Mac asked "Did you check her records?"
"Model citizen, just a middle-class single girl." Stella said "Family's in Montana raising cows, not really the Paris Hilton type".
Danny knocks on the glass window. Mac waves him in.
"Got the photos of Lindsay's back" Danny said, waving a brown envelope.
"How is she?" Stella said.
"She's fine, but she's really worried about Abby" Danny answered.
Mac took the envelope from Danny and looked through the pictures. "What is this? A symbol of some kind? Concentric circles. Like on a dart board. Meaning she's a target?"
"Let me see" Stella said as she looked through Lindsay's photos. She realizes something "Wait a second"
Stella looks through her case folder. "I subpoenad Abby Gelman's medical records. She was hospitalized last week, complained of circular burn marks on her back."
Stella took out the picture. It was also of a woman's back. She showed both pictures --- Abby's and Lindsay's --- to Mac. It's the same brand.
Hawkes marches in, as if in a hurry. "You're not gonna believe this" Hawkes said.
Mac, Danny and Stella turn to him.
"Last week, Abby Gelman was taken to the Mount Sinai hospital…"Hawkes started.
"….With circular burn marks on her back, we already know that" Mac interrupted.
"But did you know" Hawkes smiled to himself "That Abby Gelman was found at the Holiday Inn, unconscious. The hotel room was registered to a Gwen DiCarlo."
"Who's Gwen DiCarlo?" Danny asked.
"She was giving a bridal shower to her and Abby's friend Debbie Jameson" Hawkes paused --- perhaps for effect --- "when the party was interrupted by a huge cloud of smoke. Every guest was knocked unconscious. When the smoke cleared, Gwen was gone"
Mac and Stella exchanged puzzled looks. Danny just crossed his arms.
"So somebody's taking one girl then brands the other so he can kidnap her later? It doesn't make any sense" Stella said.
Danny's eyes widen and he heads out the door, walking fast.
"This only means one thing." Hawkes said.
Stella and Mac look through the glass hallways as they see Danny taking his coat from the rack and run out.
"Lindsay's next" Mac said.