We took her to the doctor yesterday afternoon because she just kept wailing. They couldnt find anything wrong with her and did some blood tests and…we got the results this morning and they sent us straight to the hospital. They think…they think she might have cancer. Neuroblastoma, which I hadnt even heard of and…oh God, Mom…what the hell am I going to do?

Do they know for sure?

No, not yet. But I think they suspect it. Theyre running tests right now and theyve been giving us the its-best-to-be-prepared talk.

Neuroblastoma…thats what…thats dealing with the nervous system, right?

Yeah. But theyre more concerned about how its presenting. In the abdomen.

I can be there in about three hours.

No, Mom. We dont even know for sure yet. I just…I wanted you to know what was going on. Because if it turns out she does have it, I didnt want that to be the first call you got, hearing about it.

When will you know for sure?

This is the final test. This is supposed to tell us for certain.

Let me know, okay? Dont wait. Let me know right away.

She watched the front door as Barnes came in. He looked washed out and in a hurry. His eyes were narrowed with worry. Reporters crowded in behind him. He was headed right for her, a look of absolute defeat on his face.

Okay, Mom, Melissa said in her ear. I dont even know if you still do this sort of thing, but would you say a prayer for her? For us?

Of course I will. I love you, Lissa.

I love you, too.

She could not remember the last time her daughter had spoken those three words to her. When she ended the call and pocketed her phone, she tried her best to nonchalantly wipe the beginnings of tears away from the corners of her eyes.

Barnes looked at her with a bit of surprise that then dissolved into slight embarrassment. You okay? he asked.

Yeah. What about you? Did DeMarco tell you what we found?

She did. But theres something else. Something new. The canine unit called. They found something…and its not sounding promising.

Before he could even explain to her what information had come across, Kate felt something pass through her head, something like a wind that rocked her balance. She felt lightheaded for a minute as the days toll caught up with her.

She saw the images from the videos on Edgar Lees computer.

She heard Melissas voice, still echoing in her head: They think she might have cancer. Neuroblastoma, which I hadnt even heard of…

She breathed in deeply, doing her best to re-orient herself.

Agent Wise? Barnes was looking at her, concern on his face.

Im good, she said, starting for the door before she was fully confident that she could move.

Agent Wise, if you