Thanks for the reviews!
Chapter Thirteen:
Macy was looking at the board in the war room.
"So, the bimbo heads to the top of the leader board. I did not see that coming."
"Her name is Leah, Macy," Faye said. "Get used to saying her name because I think she's going to be sticking around."
"We got some catty discussion going here," Shawna said.
Micah approached Ava, who was practicing dance steps in her room.
"Do you wonder what happened on Spencer and Leah's date?"
"I don't know and I don't care," she said.
"Come on, Leah was grinning and giggling like a school girl when she came home. She wouldn't say anything about the date. I bet he kissed her. Or to be more precise she kissed him."
Ava sighed. "I don't see what Spencer likes about her, but she is in the final five. I am going to work on doing the same."
"Whatever," Micah said and left.
"Good on Ava for not taking the bait," Faye said.
"Dan, her producer, is going to be pissed," Shawna said.
"Make sure someone is keeping an eye out for cattiness among the group, claws are bound to come out eventually," Macy said.
"I hope Spencer doesn't get scratched in the middle of all this," Faye said.
…
"Ladies and gentlemen," Drake's voice boomed. "Boy and girls, Lonely Hearts. Welcome to the greatest dating show on earth!"
Macy, Faye and some of the other senior crew were the stands eating popcorn. Macy leaned in.
"I'll bet money Drake is going to ask to keep the ringmaster suit after the show."
"I am not betting against you," Faye said.
"First up in the talent show is the magnificent Star!"
Star appeared in a suit with a with a hat. For her two minutes, she did magic tricks involving cards and pulling hearts out a hat. From her iPad link up, Faye could see that Spencer looked mildly bored.
Ava did a cheerleading routine that included cartwheels. Bella sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Micah did a juggling routine. Mel played a flute.
"You all did wonderful!" Reid said. "But the person whose performance stood to me was, Micah's."
There was polite applause as Micah joined him in the VIP area.
"Ladies, thank you for performing," Drake said. "Feel free to enjoy the show."
None of them looked too thrilled. A circus ringmaster came out and the show began.
…
"My juggling wasn't that good," she whispered in to Reid's ear. "Why'd you really pick me?"
Reid watched the monkeys juggle with the clowns. "Because I thought this place was too loud for conversations to be recorded. Just in case though, tell me more about the inscription of the watch. Where did it come from?"
"Some place safe is all I can say," she said at the clown held a food fight. "He never stopped worrying about you while you were in prison."
"What is your connection to him?" he asked at aerialists came out and he clapped.
"He's dating my sister's boss," she said. "She works for a telemarketing company so it could be any one of three different cities."
"How did you get involved?" he asked as she gasped at a particularly dangerous stunt.
"My sister wanted me on the show," she said simply.
They clapped at the end of the performance.
"Does he have any other messages for me?"
"Just to be careful with your heart and he will never stop caring about you," she said.
Micah looked at him.
"What now? Do you like me or does this all relate to the watch inscription?"
"I don't know," he said.
"I don't want to be here if you can't separate your feelings about me and missing your boss."
"I can't help it," he said. "He was a father figure to me."
She began to stand up. Reid looked desperate.
"What will we say?"
"That all you wanted to talk about was the circus and nothing about building a relationship," she said.
"But I do," he said.
"I don't." she said. "I am not going to play this role. I don't even think you're that cute anyway."
Reid was left speechless in the stands as she walked out of the tent.
…
"I am not buying it," Faye said. "Those two were talking about something at it wasn't the show."
Macy was looking at the tape. "What did Spencer tell you?"
"He got extremely defensive and said what they talked about was really none of our business and the chemistry just wasn't right."
"We need a lip reader," Macy said.
"It won't do any good," she said. "The camera is at an odd angle, and the way their turned towards each other, he knew a lip reader wouldn't be able to pick up anything."
"Just another mystery," Macy said with a sigh. "I hate mysteries."
She didn't know about the thefts. It was Faye's job to deal with it so she didn't say anything.
A production assistant rushed.
"Guys, the FBI is on satellite link," she said.
"Put it on screen three," Macy said.
Emily Prentiss appeared.
"Good evening," she said. "I'm Agent Emily Prentiss."
"What can we do for you Agent Prentiss?" Macy asked.
"A serial kill escaped and we believe she is coming for Spencer Reid."
"Do we have a name and a motive?"
"Her name is Catherine Adams and Reid was the one who apprehended her."
Neither women said anything.
"FBI agents are on the way to help secure the location," Prentiss said. "We don't want him to drop out because we think he is safe where he is. From this point on though, all dates have to be cleared with the head of our security team."
"Consider it done," Macy said. "You have the full cooperation of The Lonely Hearts Production. Would you like to speak with Spencer?"
"Not until we have more information," she said. "I'll debrief him in the morning pacific time."
"Understood," she said.
"Thank you," she said and cut the transmission.
Macy looked around. "Okay, we're going into lock-down mode. I want the camera in Spencer's room turned on. Call our security team, and let's get that lanyard system set up. Black is for senior production, green cameramen, blue, production assistants, white is for special guests, and Red for extras. Nobody is allowed in this room but the senior producers and there will be locked unless you have your lanyard as a key card. I want guards wandering the area during non-shooting hours. Plan for a security meeting in the morning. Attendance is mandatory."
Faye had to admire Macy. She was cut-throat, conniving, and would do anything for a ratings boost, but in the end she took her job very seriously.
Macy turned to Faye.
"Are there any other security issues we need to discuss?"