Youll know it if you see it, she said.

Are we off to see Avalon then? Karen asked, hoping to keep things moving.

In just a few, Jessie assured her. I just have talk to Captain Decker about another matter. Meet you at the car in ten?

After Karen headed out, Jessie went in search of Decker. The mention of the sultan reminded her that shed given the captain more than enough time to fill Detective Parker in, give her the tape, and get an update.

With nightmarish visions of girls even younger than Hannah being tied down and blindfolded filling her head, she quickly walked to his office but found it empty. Returning to the bullpen, she saw Detective Alan Trembley over in the HSS section and approached him. Trembley was a solid detective, if perhaps a bit too much of an eager beaver.

You seen Decker lately? she asked when she reached his desk.

Thats the greeting I get? he said, feigning offense. No hiya Trembley? No hows it going? No cant wait to work with you again?

She gave him her best not now glare and tried again.

Hiya, Trembley. Hows it going? Cant wait to work with you again. Where is Captain Decker?

Sensing that she wasnt in a playful mood, he answered directly.

I think he went to Vice.

Thanks, Trembley, she said sweetly. Talk soon.

She hurried down the back hall. Vice had a dedicated section of the bullpen, but its leader, Detective Gaylene Parker, had a second, smaller office at the far end of the building. It was designed as a place where sensitive material could be reviewed and discussed without prying eyes or ears.

She was halfway down the hall when she saw Decker returning in her direction. They made eye contact and she immediately knew something was wrong. He stopped in his tracks with a guilty look on his face. That only made her move toward him faster.

What the? she started to say as he held up his hand and shook his head.

Join me in the courtyard, please, he said quietly.

She followed him outside and to an isolated corner where no one else could approach them without being seen well in advance.

What is it? she hissed, preparing herself for whatever bad news she knew he was about to share.

I may have screwed up, he said.

What does that mean? she asked, doing her best to keep her anxiety in check.

Yesterday, after you played the audio for me, I dropped the thumb drive in Parkers secure locker.

Oh god, Jessie muttered, already sensing where this was going. Please dont tell me what I think youre going to tell me.

I left her a voicemail letting her know to check it first thing this morning, he said, pressing forward. I was completely generic, other than to say it was high priority. When she got in this morning, the locker was busted open and the drive was gone.