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“I figured Gage could get here faster than you since that’s kind of his job right now. I’m not sure what’s going on, but you should definitely see this. Tom wants to talk to us too.”

“What does Tom have to do with this?”

Right, she hadn’t filled him in on her lunch with Gina yet. “I have a lot to tell you. Let’s all get together for an early dinner before the show tonight. Is your place safe?”

Gage was shaking his head and pointing at himself. At the same time, Peter said, “See if Gage is willing to let us meet at his place.”

Carrie giggled. “That’s what he just said.”

“I’ll meet you there, baby.”

“When did you get this?” Gage asked.

“Just before I called you.”

“Obviously it’s not from Boomer, right?”

Carrie shook her head. “I don’t see how it could be. There’s something so familiar about that phone number too.”

Carrie turned to her monitor and started typing it into a reverse number lookup site. The full number appeared in a drop-down box as if she had searched for this number before. “Damn it. I knew I’d seen it before.” She rummaged through her stack of notes and came up with a sticky note. “Justice Department, my ass.”

“OK, you’re gonna have to fill me in,” Gage said as he laid the note down on the desk and snapped a picture of it with his phone.

“Sorry. A couple of weeks ago, I got a phone call from this number. They were claiming to be from the justice department. I think a Freedom of Information Act request I put in triggered an alarm for somebody.” She took a deep breath. “They threatened me and told me to stop pursuing whatever I was pursuing. At the time, I didn’t think they were actually from the justice department, and now I know they aren’t.”

Gage whistled. “And what does ‘our spot’ mean?”

Carrie shook her head. “I’m not sure.”

Gage’s phone buzzed. He read the incoming message and flashed his screen at her.

Rest area outside town. He’s in danger. They made him write this and he’s signaling to keep Carrie away.

Carrie’s eyes grew large. Then her own phone buzzed.

Do as your told and stay the fuck away from that rest area.

Carrie stuck her tongue out at the phone and Gage laughed. “Don’t think I won’t tattle on you, woman.” Carrie turned her face to him with her tongue still sticking out.

“Bite me, Gage.”

The tall Texan threw his head back in laughter. “You’re something else. Come on. Introduce me to this Tom fella.”

Two hours, they were pulling into Gage’s driveway. A familiar SUV was already there, signaling that Peter had arrived. Carrie’s heart skipped a beat as she watched him step out of the vehicle. His face was determined and his stride purposeful as he made his way to her. He yanked her to him and held her close and Carrie reveled in his affection.

“Christ, Carrie. They’re trying to lure you to a trap,” he whispered, his voice husky with emotion.

Tom and Gage stood back as the couple embraced.

“We should get inside,” Carrie said, not wanting to think about whoever they were and what they wanted with her.

Peter held her hand all the way inside. Gage showed them to the dining room and went to the fridge to pull out drinks. “I can order us food,” he said.

Tom declined, but Carrie was starving so they had pizza delivered. While they waited, Peter and Gage grilled Tom about everything he knew.

“I don’t understand how repeating myself is going to help. I already told Carrie all of this,” he grumbled.

“They have different perspectives, Tom. You’re a damned journalist, you know how important that is,” Carrie admonished gently.

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