I could be wrong, though, she thought. It might not be him. It might be one of those scam calls where someone is going to ask me about my auto insurance…

This is Agent Gift, she answered.

Your FBI friends are keeping me rather busy.

It was him. It was Alex Lynch. Somehow, he had been allowed to call her again. Even after all that had happened. She expected a surge of worry and fear but instead, there was only unbridled anger.

Good, she hissed. I hope they nail your ass.

Im quite surprised you didnt come by to visit.

They were afraid Id kill you with my bare hands. And believe me, Id love nothing more. If you ever even presume to think about my daughter again, Ill do everything I can to make sure I can get five minutes alone in a room with you.

The tone of the conversation had grabbed Jacks attention. He had apparently already picked up on who she was talking to because he looked absolutely flummoxed. She was also glad to see that he looked a little pissed off.

Ah, but youd do no such thing, Lynch said. Not if you want to know how my very sweet gift ended up in your precious daughters room.

Who was it?

He chuckled and it spiked her anger even higher. Dear, sweet Rachel. If I havent told the barrage of idiot agents that have come to speak with me over the past three days, do you really think Id tell you?

Yes, I do, she said.

And why is that?

Because you like the attention. You have nothing in your life, and you want the attention. Your life is empty because I caught you and placed you in prison. And now youre trying to get back at me. I made a mistake coming to you for help. Youre pathetic.

Careful how you talk to me. Next time it might not be a dead squirrel. Next time it might be a man…a large, living man with a deplorable interest in young girls.

Listen to me, you sick mother

Sorry, Agent Gift. I believe Ive been found out. Guards are coming. Bye for now.

The line went dead and when Rachel lowered the phone from her ear, her hands were trembling. She wanted to puke and scream all at once. She wanted to slam her hand through the windshield and savor the cuts and the blood.

Rachel.

She looked to Jack and the level of worry and concern in his eyes nearly brought her to tears. Somewhere in the back of her head, she felt something that was similar to a bass drum felt from a few rooms away. It started to gently overtake most everything else in her head and she wasnt sure if it was her anger or the tumor playing some of its tricks.

That was Lynch? Jack asked.