Page 63 of Every Which Way

Langford said, “Not only that, but the QR code that we believe connects the source to their customer base was a dead end. We ran it through our system and got back nothing. A dead link.”

Kenna had to get all that information so she could have Maizie run it but couldn’t say that aloud in this meeting.

Miller asked, “A QR code? Was it tattooed on someone?”

Kenna turned to him. “You’ve heard of it?”

“We have an open case that’s been driving everyone crazy. No leads. No movement. Nothing. I’ll get the lead agent in here to brief you so we can figure out if this is connected.” He seemed energized by the prospect, but she would be as well if she was still an agent and someone had dropped a major case in her lap.

Kenna sat with her coffee while they exchanged case information. Jax had replied, telling her not to let Miller get to her. She asked him if his mom and sister were still in town.

Not that she wanted to be rid of them, but the fewer targets nearby who could be used to get to her, the better.

Her phone rang, and Jax’s name appeared.

She heard Davis say, “Taskforce,” right before she answered it. “Hey.” She kept her voice low and stepped out of the room. “What’s up?”

“Easier to tell you than type it all out.”

“They’re still here?”

“Yeah, and I called my dad to see if he’d convince them to get on a plane and go home, and he said not to worry about them. That he’d already made the necessary arrangements to keep them safe.”

“Like flight plans?”

“I don’t think so,” he said. “Dad told me not to worry about them. That he’s ensured they won’t be harmed.”

Across the room, Stairns stepped off the elevator. He lifted his chin to her and motioned to the boss’s office. She nodded, then focused back on her call with Jax. “Did he make the same arrangement with you? Because that could come in handy.”

“I have no idea. Maybe he thinks I should handle myself.”

“Or you have FBI protection and a way to reach the president.”

“I didn’t tell him that part.” Jax sighed. “I pressed him about who he made the arrangement with and how he knew about them, but he just shut down. Told me to stop asking questions.”

“At least it’s one less thing for us to worry about,” she said.

“Even if it’s not reassuring?”

“Just check in with them. Make sure they are good.”

“I’m coming up there on Friday.”

That was only a few days from now. Not so much time in reality, and yet it felt like an expansive stretch that would last forever.

“I’d like that.” Even if part of his visit was to ensure the safety of his mom and sister. “I’m sure the guys have a spot for you to crash in their rig.”

“I’ll find my own space, but thanks.”

She chuckled. “Right, back to work.”

“I’ll check with my dad later, see if he’ll tell me anything else. You stay safe.”

“I’m uninjured, and no life-changing things have happened all day. Just normal case stuff with explosions and bodies. So…the usual.”

“Well, it’s still early.”

She grinned. “Love you.”

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