Shelby picked up the landline phone on her desk and tapped in a three-digit extension. Only two seconds passed before there was an answer. Rachel and Jack listened as Shelby said, Lisa, could you meet with me in the conference room? Uh-huh. Yes, right now, please. She hung up and still looked uneasy. She had remained polite throughout the brief conversation; there was no bass or threatening tone to her voice.

How long has she been volunteering here? Jack asked.

Nearly two years now. Ive never had a single issue with her performance. Lisa is one of those people that just sort of gels with anyone she meets. Youll see what I mean in a bit. Actually, the conference room is right beside her cubicle, so we can go on now if you want.

The three of them left Shelbys office and walked through the collection of cubicles that served as the call center. They stayed by the wall as to give the operators their privacy and came to a small conference room on the other side of the room. It was warm and inviting, giving an instant feeling of calmness and peace. The lighting was very low and even the desk in the center of the room looked as if it were glowing in the lights. There were light colors everywhere, from the curtains to the carpet. A tranquil seaside painting hung on the wall, but one that actually invoked awe and wonder rather than a ten-dollar one purchased from a thrift store. Rachel saw it all as being a very planned and purposeful feature for a place where people were always speaking to depressed individuals.

The woman Shelby had identified as Lisa was sitting at the sizable desk in the center of the room. She looked to be in her late twenties, a very pretty woman at first glance. Her blue eyes and blonde hair seemed to glow in the softness of the room. She had an aura of peace about her, which Rachel assumed went a long way toward success when you helped with a suicide prevention hotline. And though her smile lit up her face, her eyes narrowed the slightest bit when she saw two strangers enter the room behind Shelby. Lisa did not ask questions, though, instead waiting for Shelby to explain everything. Shelby closed the door behind her and took the seat across from Lisa. Rachel took the one next to Shelby while Jack chose to stand.

Shelby took the lead in a way that made Rachel assume she was a good supervisor. She kept a friendly demeanor throughout, but there was something in her tone and cadence that made it clear that things were about to get serious.

Lisa, these are agents from the FBIAgents Rivers and Gift. Theyre looking into a string of deaths and need to ask you some questions.

Me? Lisa asked. The confusion on her face seemed genuine. There was a good deal of fear in her eyes, too.