Chapter Five

"Well, this is the first time our 'phantom' made contact," Rossi noted.

"Andre, Firmin, did you notice anyone suspicious?" Hotch asked.

"No. not at all," Firmn answered.

"Now that he's opened a line of communication, we can start negotiations," Morgan stated.

"Negotiate?! What's there to negotiate?!" Andre exclaimed.

Hotch shot him a glare.

"Gentlemen, in case you are unaware, we have an opera singer, a Vicomte, and a whole crew of dancers, singers, and audience members who may be in danger," Hotch explained, "negotiating with him may be our only way to save Christine."

"But we got Christine in the lead role," Andre argued, "what more does this unsub want?!"

"Contact with Christine," Prentiss answered, "he wants to see her up close again."

"Well, how do we do that?" Firmin rolled his eyes.

"Gentlemen!" Hotch barked, "if you can't cooperate with this investigation, then you can step aside. Is that clear?"

"Crystal clear," Firmin muttered.

"We're gonna have to draw him out," Reid answered.

"But how?" JJ asked, "if he lives underground like Madame Giry said, how do we get him to show his face?"

"Espescially if his face is his insecurity," Prentiss agreed.

"Then we create an event that he won't wanna miss," Rossi answered slyly, "like—a masquerade ball."

Masquerade! Paper faces on parade! Masquerade! Hide your face so the world will never find you the crowd sang.

"You know, for a song about how colorful these costumes are, there aren't that many colors here," Prentiss remarked, "just a lot of black, grey, and white."

"You know Prentiss," Morgan added, "any one of these guys could be our unsub."

"Great. So anyone with a mask could be the phantom," Prentiss agreed, "how the hell did you come up with this idea, Rossi?"

"Hey, what better way to reveal Christine and Raoul's engagement?" Rossi retorted.

"They're engaged?!" Prentiss asked, "that's gonna push the unsub's buttons for sure."

"Well, this engagement won't be a secret anymore," Rossi quipped.

"What do you mean?"

"Raoul wants to tell everyone that Christine is his and Christine wants to keep it under wraps until things blow over," Rossi answered.

"She doesn't want her 'music teacher' to find out," Morgan replied.

Speak of the devil the team thought. Suddenly, the music came to a halt and everyone froze into place. A man, dressed in a red suit, wearing a black mask over his face began singing

Why so silent good monseuirs?

Did you think that I had left you for good?

Have you missed me good monseuirs?

I have written you an opera!

Here I bring the finished score—Don Juan Triumphant.

He threw the score at the managers.

I advise you to comply.

My instructions should be clear.

Remember there are worse things than a shattered chandelier.

"You know, you'd think this guy would have better fashion taste," Prentiss quipped.

"It's the Mask of the Red Death," Reid explained, "it's Egdar Allen Poe and-"

"Reid," Hotch stopped.

"He wants the opera house to perform his work," JJ realized.

"And he'll cast Christine in the lead role," Hotch observed, "this guy is getting delusional."

The phantom stalked over to the B.A.U team. The team had their guns drawn. \

Put down your weapons the phantom commanded.

Keep your hands at the level of your eyes he exclaimed.

"So why can't you speak like a normal person, fool?" Morgan muttered.

"Morgan," Hotch warned.

Aaron Hotchner must smile more.

The frown lines don't look good on him because Foyet is dead and gone! Ha the phantom taunted.

Hotch just glared at him.

"Okay...how-" Prentiss started.

Emily Prentiss should get a date

Instead of dating terrorists.

The phantom made his way over to Reid.

Dr. Reid must not ramble all the time.

He must stay away from Christine if he knows what's good for him.

To emphasize his point, he poked Reid with the sword. Reid squirmed.

Derek Morgan must not be haughty.

Kicking down doors will break his feet someday.

JJ should stay away from Madaame Giry and Meg.

She needs to take a hint and get with Dr. Reid. Ha Ha!

"Okay. Is this guy going to go through every one of us?" Morgan quipped.

David Rossi is old and needs to quit running around.

You're like Joseph Bouquet. Hand at the level of your eyes old man.

And I know Analyst Garcia is watching from afar.

Imagine what this could do to her!

"You son of a-"

"Morgan," Hotch warned for a second time.

As for our star,

Christine Daae.

No doubt she'll do her best.

It's true her voice is good.

If pride will let her return to me her teacher.

Her teacher.

Then, the phantom spoke for the first time that night.

"Your chains are still mine. You will sing for me!"

He took of the necklace and ran.

"FBI!" Hotch and Morgan yelled, running after him.

But, just like that, he was gone.

"He's gone," Hotch breathed.

"Ugh," Prentiss groaned in frustration, "we lost him again."