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“Everything is fine.” Brook wasn’t about to go into depth about what had taken place this morning. There would be ample time a little later to catch the team up on Jacob’s latest antics. Besides, she didn’t want to lose what contents were left in her stomach. “Where does Bit keep the nitrile gloves?”
Brook had never inquired about the reason Bit kept a box of nitrile gloves in his office. Everyone on the team had their talents, valid experience, and their odd quirks. All that mattered was that the job got done, cases were closed, and families received closure.
“I see them,” Brook murmured as she took two gloves from the small box near a rack completely filled with hardware. “Please let me know when the background information for Levi Kittle becomes available.”
Brook made her way into the kitchen before Kate could respond.
Thankfully, there was a carafe full of fresh coffee that Kate must have made upon Agent Houser’s arrival. She’d even set two mugs on a tray, along with a small ceramic creamer pitcher with its matching sugar holder. Brook set the two latex gloves on the edge of the tray so that she could carry everything back to her office. She wrapped her fingers around the edges of the wooden carrier before remaining still, giving herself a moment to process her thoughts.
Jacob had returned to the city.
Her brother had purchased a sympathy card, written a personal note inside, and had it brought to her by some random courier on the street. He had then acquired a rather expensive leather-bound edition of the second book within the Harry Potter series before taking it upon himself to deliver it to her home without any concern of being apprehended by the authorities. It was evident that he’d surveilled the ground ahead of time.
“Everything has its reason,” she whispered to herself, tightening her hold on the tray. “Everything.”
What was she missing in this scenario?
“Brook?”
She cleared her throat at the sound of Agent Houser’s voice. He’d picked up a slight accent in his time working in the Boston field office, yet he still pronounced her name correctly. She had no idea how long she’d been in thought, but she didn’t bat an eye at the false statement that fell from her lips.
“I was just making us some coffee,” Brook explained as she picked up the tray and turned around to face the doorway. “I also found you a pair of latex gloves. Let’s go back to my office, shall we?”
Before too long, Brook was back in her chair with a cup of hot coffee. She’d also poured one for Agent Houser, but he’d been too immersed in the book to give it any notice.
“There doesn’t seem to be any type of personal note. Nothing on the pages, nothing on the cover. A note wasn’t attached to the gift?”
“No.”
“Wrapping paper?”
“Just the ribbon and bow.”
“Any significance to the color of the ribbon and bow?”
Brook paused as she pressed the rim of the cup to her lips.
Agent Houser finally understood how Jacob worked, but there was no getting a step ahead of her brother.
Ever.
She tilted the mug and took a sip.
“Blue was Sally Pearson’s favorite color,” Brook replied after she’d managed to swallow the coffee. “As for a message, the book itself has meaning. You already know this. I was holdingHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stonein my arms the first time that I caught Jacob with blood on his hands. My brother has left me a copy of the book almost every time that he has made an appearance in my life. This is the first time that he’s deviated to a leather-bound copy of the second book. He’s taken another step…evolved in some way.”
Only one thing came to mind, but Brook still lacked the knowledge to know of Jacob’s plans. The simmering rage that was always just below the surface began to bubble. The overwhelming emotion never really dissipated, even in her day-to-day life. She’d learned long ago that releasing it got her nowhere. She utilized the time that Agent Houser inspected the gift to compose herself internally without ever letting him get a glimpse of her inner turmoil.
“The second act.” Brook managed to say the words as she stared at the leather cover. Agent Houser had carefully closed the book, and she figured she’d get out ahead of any more questions. “Maybe my brother is trying to tell me that he’s ready for the second act, not that I could tell you what all that entails. He never finished the first act, because Sarah Evanston is still alive. Basically, he’s playing me. Toying with me.”
“Us.” Agent Houser sighed in resignation as he began to remove his latex gloves. “He’s playing us. I’ve put in a request to gather a team of agents, but I haven’t received word yet. If Jacob Walsh is in the city, we don’t want to miss another opportunity to apprehend him. I’ll have a team on your condo building twenty-four seven until we can establish a plan.”
Brook caught sight of Theo exiting the elevator. His stiff body movements had nothing to do with the cold weather. Kate must have informed him that Agent Houser was in the office.
Before too long, Sylvie would be making an appearance, as well.
“I’ll keep in contact with you should Jacob reach out to me again,” Brook said, her equilibrium once again balanced now that she’d used her breathing techniques that she’d learned in therapy.
She’d been delivered a blow, but she’d remained standing.
