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Tyler's frown only deepened. "Slow down, Rachel."

"I can't believe you're telling me that. I'm usually the one who goes too slow, remember?"

"Well, you're speeding along now," he said dryly.

"Then you should brace yourself like I did the other day when you almost killed me driving like a madman through Long Island City."

"I was trained to do that. You are not trained to investigate criminals. There's a difference."

"I'm not investigating him. I'm just having a conversation. Anyway, what did you do this morning?" she asked as he drove them toward the café where Megan would hopefully be having lunch.

"I met with my team. We're launching an official investigation. Kara is going to work with a counterterrorism team at 26 Fed and also talk to her boyfriend, who is former CIA, about who might have information on Mei Zheng's whereabouts."

"Kara is dating a CIA agent?" she asked in surprise. "That sounds like a movie."

He smiled. "It's not. He's former CIA. Max runs a private security firm now."

"I hope they can find the asset before Levitan's people do."

"I hope so, too. Zane is looking into Frank Conover, the owner of Waverly Health. He thinks the way to get information on Conover is through his ex-wife, who apparently lost her battle to get rid of her prenup and isn't feeling too good about her ex."

"She sounds like an excellent target."

"We'll see."

"Which leaves Megan to us."

"It should just be me," he muttered.

"No, it shouldn't. I almost died this morning," she reminded him. "I have skin in this game, and I'm in this for better or worse. Although I'm hoping I've already seen the worst."

He shot her a quick look. "I'm not sure you have. That's my concern."

His words sent a chill through her, but it was too late to back down, at least right now. Maybe after they spoke to Megan…

Tyler wasn't happy about anything that had come out of Rachel's mouth since she'd gotten in the car. He had to admit that making an appointment with Levitan was probably a good play, and if Kara or another one of his female agents had suggested it, he wouldn't think twice. But this was Rachel. And he didn't know what to do about her.

He would have left her in the safe house if Jack hadn't attacked her, but he couldn't do that after what had happened this morning. He couldn't leave her alone at her apartment, knowing that someone in her practice or in the hospital knew she was looking into Jack. He probably should stash her in a different safe house, but then she'd be alone. There were no good options, so he was going to keep an eye on her himself.

He didn't think the conversation with Megan would be dangerous. And if she wasn't at the café, they could get lunch and try to catch her later today when she was leaving the office, or when she was home.

A phone buzzed, but it wasn't the one he'd placed on the console. He pulled a second phone out of his pocket and saw an unknown number. "Hello?"

"David Burke?"

"Yes."

"It's Dr. Prescott."

His gut tightened. "What's up? I hope you're not pushing my appointment back."

"No, but I need to speak to you before you start the program."

"Are you at your office? I can come by."

"I'm at home. Is there any chance you could come here?"

Her request was more than a little unusual, and there was a great deal of stress in her voice. "I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important," she added.