Chapter 73

Jake expected the courtesy call.The third victim had proven the matter wasn't one of National Security. What he hadn't expected was the cryptic message Agent Spector offered before hanging up. "Check your mailbox. I did what you asked. Now I'm the one owed a favor, Dr. Gray."

Jake wanted to ask Dana what Spector meant, but she was already rushing toward the small copper box mounted next to her front door. Jake heard the tired hinges groan open then close as he followed Dana toward the door.

He met her in the foyer, where she held a yellow Post-it note in one hand, her other clutched something he couldn't see in her fist. "What is it?" Jake asked.

Dana looked at him, her eyes sparkling cautiously. "Hopefully, it's what you've been looking for."

She handed him the note and unfurled her fist.

Jake stared at the dog tag in her palm, then the ten-digit code printed neatly on the paper. He despised the emotion that tightened his chest. "Dana, what did you do?"

"Trusted my instincts," she replied.

Jake shook his head and tried to hand the note back. "I don't want it."

"What? Why not?"

"I heard Spector. Whatever this cost, it's not worth it."

"It didn't cost anything. I asked him to help, and he did."

"Trust me," Jake said, pressing the paper back into her hand. "This wasn't free."