“My research is thorough,” she argued, scowling. Her eyes crinkled, and I held back a smile at the look of pure confidence that washed over her while challenging me.

She was everything I wished for in the agents who went through Quantico. I’d waited months to find someone who could replace me, someone who could challenge me, who could think just as analytically.

Len had a ways to go if she were to ever chose that path, but I’d found my match in this woman.

Not that Len would ever wish to become an agent, but maybe she could be more help than I had planned after all.

“I don’t doubt that,” I said. “But you are omitting one key piece.”

“I gave you everything I have,” she said and crossed her arms. She was putting that guard right back up.

“Do you know who the only person on my team without a file was?” I asked.

She shook her head.

“Myself,” I answered and watched the realization wash over her. The ruse was up, and now, it was her move.

“I didn’t need a file on someone I knew better than anyone.”

“I-“ she started.

She took a step back. I reached up and pulled the question mark off the wall. I didn’t need it.

I had her.

“You are the Jane Doe. You don’t need a file on yourself. You already know everything you need to.”

She shook her head.

“No,” she insisted, but I pushed and held firm.

“I don’t believe for a second that you’ve done such thorough work, but this key piece, you’ve left blank.”

“It’s a dead end,” she argued.

“Because you’ve made it one,” I countered. “You’re smart, Len. You’re clever, more so than most initial recruits I meet in week one at Quantico. You can’t expect me to believe you cast aside this one key piece of the story as useless.”

“I-“ She stopped, her words failing her. “I have to go,” she said quietly and grabbed her laptop quickly off the table.

She made for the door as fast as she could. I tried follow, but the second she was out the door, she jogged off.

I couldn’t force her to admit it. Chasing her was no use. I was observant enough to know when to stop. If I continued to push, she’d bury herself behind endless walls I would never break through.

I sighed.

Maybe I had pushed too hard. We needed this piece of the story more than anything. This couldn’t be the last I saw of Lenore.

* * *

“Mags,” I said, a smile already growing on my face.

“Stone, to what do I owe the pleasure?” Mags chimed through the phone.

The nickname stung like a bullet lodging itself into my chest. Memories were surfacing, ones I preferred to keep buried.

“I need a favor,” I said.