She hurried out of the room and went to the car. She grabbed her folder out of the back seat and sat in the passenger seat, looking through them. Before theyd been cut off from PacCall assistance, the records theyd managed to collect had been helpful. And while it had drawn pretty clear connections between some of the victims, there had been another item found among those blocked phone numbers that had gone overlooked.

One of the blocked numbers had come from a therapists office. It had seemed rather unremarkable at the time because the number had been on Joseph Stauntons records and he had, after all, been seeing a therapist. She knew there might be hoops to jump through but she figured it might not hurt to speak to the therapist, to see if there was anything Joseph Staunton might have said that either foreshadowed or even predicted what had happened to him. Also, Dustin Adams had been seeing a therapist, too. She couldnt help but wonder if it might have been the same therapist Staunton had been seeing. While she was aware that there had been no blocked numbers leading to a therapist on Adamss records, she also knew that might not mean much. Unless there were calls to set up or schedule appointments, there may never have been any sort of phone contact between them.

It suddenly seemed like a viable lead. She took out her phone and looked through the case notes. She hated to bother a widow during her time of grief, but she needed this information and hoped Mrs. Adams would understand.

The call was answered on the third ring by an older-sounding woman. Hello? This is the Adams residence.

This is Special Agent Rachel Gift. I need to speak with Mrs. Adams.

Are you certain? the woman asked. Surely you understand shes dealing with a lot right now.

Yes, I understand, and I appreciate it. Ive already visited her once, so she knows my partner and I are actively trying to figure out if there was foul play involved. Id like for you to at least tell her Im on the phone and have just one question for her. If she refuses to speak with me, Ill accept that.

Fine, the woman said. The amount of vitriol in the womans voice made Rachel wonder if it was Mrs. Adamss mother. The phone was sat down and Rachel could hear murmuring from the other end. After roughly a minute, it was picked back up and a younger, different voice spoke. It was a ragged voice, worn and tired.

Agent Gift? Mrs. Adams said.

Yes, Mrs. Adams, Im so sorry to bother you again but I think I may have what could be a potential lead. But I need your help in answering a question. Is that okay?