During the next few weeks, the team's efforts appeared to be leading nowhere. Security for top-ranked government officials' spouses had been increased, and there were no further abductions or reports of attempted abductions. The case appeared to have gone cold. Strauss regretfully informed the team that, if nothing further occurred during the next week, they would be taken off the case and put back on rotation with the other teams. Between themselves, the team members agreed that, if necessary, they would be following up and pursuing leads on their own time.
Early one afternoon, exactly four weeks after Elaina Dunham's body had been discovered, Strauss summoned everyone to the conference room. When they arrived, she and Garcia were standing in front of the flat screen looking unusually solemn.
"You're back on the case," Strauss announced flatly. "Apparently, another spouse has been abducted. Ms. Garcia."
Garcia clicked her remote and a picture appeared on the screen. The woman shown appeared to be in her late 20's, with red hair and a serious expression.
"This is Phillipa Bigalow," Strauss told the team. "An hour and a half ago she left her office in the Central Bank Building, planning to meet her husband for an early lunch. She never arrived. The building security guard found her car in the parking garage with the door standing open. Her purse and cell phone were on the seat. Security camera footage is being examined as we speak."
"Her husband is?" Blake inquired.
"Jeffrey Bigalow, Legal Counsel for the Geological Survey," Strauss told her. "She wasn't offered protection because, technically, her husband isn't part of the Survey. He actually works for a law firm who is under contract to them."
"Apparently, technically, doesn't count with this monster," Reid spat out. "Because, technically, Christine shouldn't have been abducted either. But, she is gone!" He was now standing up and shouting.
"Reid!" Hotch snapped. "Rossi, take him to my office. I'll be there shortly!"
As Rossi led Reid out of the conference room, Hotch turned to Strauss. "I'm sorry, Ma'am," he apologized.
"No apology necessary," Strauss told him. "We need to get this guy!"
Strauss turned to JJ. "Agent Jareau – The Director is taking your advice and holding a press conference in approximately," she checked her watch. "One hour. Will you please be there?"
Strauss turned to the rest of the team. "Hopefully, this will flush out some information," she told them. "We need to get these women back!"