A week later, Hotch was in his office making an early morning phone call to his bank. "What do you mean, you can't find anything wrong?" he asked. "This is a new card. You just sent it to me two weeks ago."

He looked up as Garcia stuck her head in his office. "We have a case," she whispered.

He nodded. "Gather everyone in the conference room," he told her. "I'll be right there."

Hotch was closing up his phone as he walked past Rossi's office. "Problem?" Rossi asked as he came out to join him. "Sorry, I couldn't help overhearing. You were getting a little upset."

"My ATM card," Hotch explained. "When I tried using it this morning, the machine rejected it. According to the bank, they can't find any problem with either the machine or my account. Their suggestion is that the magnetic strip is defective."

"That is a possibility," Rossi agreed.

"But, that was what was wrong with my old card," Hotch objected. "I have only had this new card for two weeks, and it worked fine when I first received it. I can't imagine what has gone wrong!"

Rossi just looked thoughtful.

The case that Garcia presented that morning involved multiple murders taking place in the Green Mountains area of Vermont. Unexpectedly, their new Section Chief, Matt Cruz, elected to go with them.

"I want you to understand that I am not questioning your leadership," he told Hotch. "I just want to better understand the dynamics of your team. After all, they do have the best success rate in the BAU."

"Of course," Hotch agreed. "We'll be happy to have you accompany us."

As usual, Garcia checked in with the team during the flight to update them.

"Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen," she began her recitation. "Our madman or woman du jour is entertaining themselves by meticulously removing the eyes and ears, as well as the toes of young people who happen to live in the area around Marymount, Vermont. Pictures and details have been sent to your tablets, and I don't even want to think about them!"

"This type of unsub frequently starts by mutilating animals," Morgan observed.

"I am currently running a search of everyone in the area who has been arrested for or suspected of animal abuse within the past 15 years," Garcia informed him. "When I have the list, you will get it ASAP."

"They may also – " JJ started.

"Fire bug, I know," Garcia interrupted her. "And, I am also running a list of them, going back 15 years. Once I have it I will try matching it with List A (for animal mutilators) and if there are any matches, I will forward them to you."

"Is there anything else we need to ask you for?" Rossi asked, sarcastically.

"Not that I know of," Garcia replied pertly. "But, if I think of anything I will let you know once I have your answer. Over and out!" She signed off.

"How much do we pay her?" Chief Cruz asked.

"Not enough," Hotch opinioned. "Now, what do we know about this area in general, and these crimes in particular?"

By the time the jet landed, Hotch had the team organized and ready for action. As they drove away from the airstrip, Chief Cruz commented. "That has to be the most complete briefing I have ever attended. Is your team always that on top of things?"

Hotch was busy studying the road in front of him as he responded. "We try to be prepared when we land. It can make the difference between life and death for the unsub's next victim. Also, we need to get the locals on board as quickly as possible. Showing that we know what we are doing helps with that."

The team had just finished lunch and was waiting for the local sheriff's officers to gather so they could give them the profile they had developed of the unsub, when Rossi's cell phone rang. He glanced at the screen, about to send the message to voice mail; then, he took a second look. Nodding to Hotch and Chief Cruz, he stepped out of the room.

Blake was standing nearest the door and, without meaning to eavesdrop, could overhear the conversation.

"Sonia," he answered the phone. "Is something wrong?"

After a brief pause he asked, "What do you mean, she's gone?" The anxiety in his voice was palpable.

"You're sure? You've check checked everywhere? Luis too?" Rossi was beginning to sound upset.

"Okay. Don't touch anything further. Let me call Garcia and Anderson and get them out there to help you," he said. "I'll call you back and let you know when to expect them.

Blake stepped out into the hallway. "I didn't mean to overhear," she said. "But, Dave, is everything alright? Is there anything I can do to help?"

Rossi looked up from his cell phone. "Yes," he told her. "If you will fill in for me on the profile presentation, I need to make some calls right away." He moved further down the hallway.

With Blake filling in, the profile presentation went smoothly and the local officers' questions were soon answered. As the officers left, Hotch and Cruz both turned to Blake. "Where is Rossi?" Hotch asked.

"Doesn't he usually participate?" Cruz inquired.

"Something came up," Blake hedged. "He had to go down the hall for a few minutes. He should be back shortly."

Rossi chose that moment to return to the conference room. "Everyone," he said, "We have a problem."