She stood behind the man shoving Jon into the back of the SUV, trying to figure out who the hell she was dealing with. By the precision of their attack and the classy setup with the delivery truck, there was no question they were pros—an assumption that was supported by the fact that no one’s phone seemed to be working. The type of gear you needed for that kind of jamming wasn’t something you picked up at Walmart.

But whose pros? Should she make a break for it and let them take Jon with the idea of living long enough to track him down again? Or should she throw in with them?

The SUV started backing up with the rear door still open. There was no more time.

Running awkwardly with her hands still taped behind her, she dived through the open door and landed on top of Jon, who was sprawled unconscious across the seat. As soon as she was in, the driver floored it into the grass median, speeding around the crippled van and onto the open road beyond. She barely managed to pull her feet in before the acceleration slammed the door closed.

The straight razor was on the floorboard and she slid down to pick it up. A moment later her hands were free and she was carefully cutting the tape off Jon.

The good news was that he was breathing. The bad news was that it was creating a wet, sucking sound that came not only from his throat, but from a reopened wound between his ribs.

“Jon! Can you hear me?”

His eyes fluttered momentarily, but that was about it. She tore his shirt fully open and pressed a wad of cloth against the hole in his side. Beyond that, she wasn’t sure what else she could do.

“Who the hell are you people?” she said, turning to look at the man calmly piloting the vehicle up the road.

By way of an answer, he passed a phone back. It was already in the process of connecting to a number that came up all zeros.

“Hello?” she said, putting it to her ear.

“Hello, Randi.” The voice was unmistakable and not entirely unexpected. Fred Klein.

“You had me followed,” she said, her indignation ringing a bit hollow.

“When I found out you were on your way to the area where Jon was presumed to have died, I was concerned you were looking for revenge instead of pursuing the mission I assigned you.”

She had to admit that it wasn’t a completely unreasonable supposition.

“I have to say,” he continued, “I’m so pleased with what you turned up I can’t even bring myself to be angry at you for doing one of the stupidest and most careless things I’ve ever had the misfortune to witness. Now, tell me about Jon’s condition.”