Flawless ➝ Criminal Minds ✓

*Abduction Footage*

*Abduction Footage*

(Amelia's P.O.V)

I flung open the door to the Atlanta Precinct and strode into the temporary BAU room, directing my course straight for the computer. Garcia had already uploaded the files, and they were ready to view as soon as I opened them.

"Right, opening the footage for Mary Halone's abduction," I stated, tapping on the mouse multiple times. The video loaded and began with the scene of the car park for the mall; only three cars were visible, until a black van pulled up.

"Doesn't have a number plate," I mumbled, somewhat baffled as I watched a figure clad in black leap from the van and tackle Mary from behind. He never showed his face, but he was quite tall and lanky. He shoved a syringe into her arm and she crumpled into his arms. His arms looked slender, and not very toned, but he seemed to carry her with ease into his van. The handbag was still dangling from Mary's shoulder when they both disappeared into the back of the vehicle, until he emerged clutching it. Then he threw the bag and all the possessions it contained under Mary's car, before climbing into the front and driving away.

"He had time to bind her whilst she was in the back," I noted, and Reid nodded, looking thoughtful.

"This doesn't quite add up; Rodger said he received the call from Mary at eight o'clock; she was abducted at four. There's four hours in between the time he abducted her and them forced her to call. How did he get her to willingly do that in a public phone box without looking suspicious?" Reid contemplated, moving around the room.

"I honestly don't know," I sighed, leaning back in my chair. "How do we know it came from a public phone?"

Reid glanced at me and shrugged. "Rodger said it wasn't Mary's number. Why would the Unsub risk using his own phone? He could've used a disposable cell, but that wouldn't have allowed us to find him."

I nodded. My first case and nothing was adding up as simply as I'd hoped. "Let's go and retrieve Mary's possessions. We need to figure out why these women were chosen and why he took so much care with them."

"You're right. Perhaps the Unsub took care for another reason, rather than just putting a show on for himself. What if he knew them beforehand?"

I nodded, feeling a sense of eagerness to solve the case. We both made to leave, when the woman from earlier intercepted us. Joanna, I think her name was. I inwardly groaned and halted in my tracks, offering her a tight smile. Something about her perfectly styled hair and professionally applied makeup made me dislike her even more than before, when she was flirting with Reid.

She produced another of her sickly smiles and paused before talking.

"Agent Hotchner is on the phone," she stated, and I frowned. Why didn't he just call my mobile?

Joanna handed the phone to Reid, and he shrugged and passed it to me.

"Agent Shields here. Everything okay?"

"We've just finished interviewing the families of the first three victims. Apparently they all received calls from the women during their abduction."

I almost choked on my words. "What? Mary also left a message for her husband saying she's staying at a hotel."

Hotch sighed on the other end of the line. "Looks like it's a script; all four are saying exactly the same."

"Reid and I are going to retrieve Mary's belongings; the Unsub apparently dumped them underneath her car. We think maybe he knew his victims."

"Good idea. Rossi and I are headed back to the precinct. When you, Morgan and Prentiss return we'll go through all we know and try and devise a profile."

"Understood, sir," I mumbled, then hung up.

Reid was looking at me expectantly, and Joanne was still lingering around, throwing flirtatious glances in his direction.

"The other victims left messages saying exactly the same thing. Hotch said we'll try and devise a profile when we return."

He nodded and we both returned to the car. This time, however, I jumped into the drivers seat with a friendly wink at Reid.

"Sorry, doctor. Your turn next time."