Jessie knelt down and hugged her knees. The things she wanted to say to Decker wouldnt just get her kicked off the case, they might get her arrested, so she stayed silent, waiting for the wave of rage to pass. Instead it lingered like a rain cloud that wouldnt move on.

This is on me, he said. I dont know how it happened but clearly my house isnt in order. Someone knew you had the file and gave it to me. Someone knew I gave it to Parker. Someone in this station took it. I dont know where the leak is but Im going to plug it. Im going to personally review security footage alone in my office when were done here. Ill check every second from when I dropped the drive in that locker until Parker called me back. Ill check the entry logs. Ill check access card swipes.

Captain, Jessie said, her head still down. Obviously someone with resources didnt want that file investigated. We can both make educated guesses about who that might be. Almost no one knew about it and yet it was taken. Do you really think the people responsible for that dont have the power to cover their tracks? Were never going to find out who did it.

You let me worry about that. Ive talked to Parker and given her the essentials about the interview with Marla. She said shes heard rumors about this kind of thing for years but has never been able to pin anything down. Shes going to open some doorsquietly. This isnt over, I assure you.

I feel like this girl was reaching out to me for help, Jessie said. And Ive failed her.

You didnt fail her, Hunt. If anyone did, it was me. But truth be told, she may be past saving. That interview was from 2017. The chances that Marla is still alive arent great. But that doesnt mean we cant help the other Marlas out there.

How? Jessie asked.

I dont know yet but Im going to run this to ground. You stay focused on the Estrada case. Thats the one thing you have some control over right now.

Jessie nodded. He was right. There was nothing she could do about Marla right now. But she could find Milly Estradas killer. If fate was just, maybe the two would intertwine at some point. She stood up.

I need something, she said, knowing full well that there was no better time to make a tough demand of Decker. Otis got a judge to grant a stay on our search warrant for the estate. I need it lifted.

Decker scratched his head.

Thats not going to be easy, he warned.