Chapter 4
"Agents! Agents!" Monseuir Firmin called.
"What is it?" Hotch asked.
"I have received another note from the Phantom!"
"What's it say?"
"It says that we are to cast Christine in tonight's performance of Il Muto and Carlotta is to play the role of the pageboy. He says that if we don't, there will be 'consequences.'"
"Ugggh!" a shrill voice called.
"I take it that's Carlotta?" Prentiss muttered.
The managers nodded.
"I have received too many notes!" Carlotta cried, "too many!"
Hotch took the note from her hands and read, "Your days at the Opera Populaire are numbered."
"Is this a THREAT?!" the opera diva exclaimed.
"Sounds like somebody doesn't like you," Rossi quipped.
"Well, what do we do?" Monseuir Andre asked.
"I'll tell you what we're gonna do," Firmin answered, "we're gonna cast Carlotta in the lead role and Miss Daae will be the pageboy. We're also gonna sit in Box Five."
Carlotta's face lit up.
"Gentlemen, are you sure that's wise?" Hotch asked, "this unsub has made specific demands."
"Sometimes it's best to give these guys what they want and let it be," Rossi explained.
"No!" Firmin exclaimed, "we're not showing him any fear. We're showing him who's in charge!"
"It's not about fear-" Hotch started.
"And I'm having your team sit in Box Five with me!"
The team looked at each other. This was not going to go well.
The opera began, and it was quite funny. Even the team enjoyed it. Of course, they were sitting in Box Five trying to identify anyone who might be the phantom. All was going well, right up until the intermission. Then, a voice boomed.
"Did I not instruct Box Five be kept empty?" the phantom boomed in a voice that made even Hotch shudder.
"It's him!" Christine exclaimed.
"And did I not instruct that Christine be the Countess? Carlotta is singing to bring down the chandelier."
The managers could only nod and Rossi whispered, "Told you so."
"And who is sitting in my box?" the phantom taunted, "none other than the famous BAU team! I know you are here with Agent Prentiss investigating me. If you know what's good for you, you will make no attempt to save Christine. I know that's what you think you are doing."
Rossi wasn't fazed.
"You gotta be kidding me! Who the hell is this guy?"
Thankfully, the phantom allowed the second act of the show to continue. As Carlotta sang, she noticed something wasn't quite right. In the middle of a high note, she belched—loudly.
The audience laughed. She tried to sing again, which culminated in a louder burp.
The managers jumped up.
"Ladies and gentlmen! We have had an unfortunate mishap. The role of the Countess will now be played by Miss Christine Daae!" Firmin exclaimed.
It didn't take a genius to figure out who tampered with Carlotta's voice.
"Well, he got what he wanted," Reid whispered, "Christine's in the lead role now."
"You gotta hand it to him," Rossi retorted, "he did something about Carlotta."
Now, all they could do was wait. The phantom had made contact with them.