Page 59 of Guess Again
“Through an encrypted filter that hides their face and disguises their voice. I spoke with the founder of the company, and she told me that everything is handled through a third party. Payments, registration, everything. So if someone wants to stay anonymous, she claims they’re able to.”
“Interesting concept. Why are you telling me about it?”
“It has to do with the case I’m working on. The founder ofThe Anonymous Clientwas a friend of the victim back in high school. Her name is Lindsay Larkin and I’ve been working with her on the Callie Jones case. Earlier today, a new patient registered and logged into Dr. Larkin’s online portal for a session with her using the encrypted filter.”
“Okay?”
“During the session, this client confessed to killing Callie Jones.”
Christian raised his eyebrows.
“There are some pretty strong laws pertaining to doctor-patient confidentiality. But if a patient confesses to a crime, those are thrown out the window. I could go through the proper channels and get a warrant. And then have the DCI tech guys try to get through the encryption.”
“But?”
“But Lindsay Larkin is worried about her business, which prides itself on securing the privacy of those who login anonymously. If word got out that the DCI hacked into her counseling portal to find this client’s identity, her business model would crumble.”
“And? I highly doubt your main concern is some shrink’s business model.”
“No, my main concern is that I’m up against the clock. I’ve got a hard deadline on Monday, and, quite frankly, I’m not sure the guys at the DCI can get it done that quickly. But I thought if you took a look, maybe you could get through the encryption before then to learn this client’s identity?”
Christian smiled and swiped a strand of blond hair out of his eyes. “Encryption, you say? So, what? You want me to hack her company’s online program?”
“Is it possible?”
“To hack into this company’s system? Of course it’s possible.”
“So will you do it?Canyou do it?”
“Those are two different questions.CanI do it?” Christian made an ugly face. “Please. I wrote the encryption code for CramCase, and we’ve never been hacked. I know more about cyber security than the dorks who do it for a living. Of course I can do it.WillI do it? That depends.”
“On what?”
“You promising me in some formal way that I won’t eat shit for it. Listen, Doc, I don’t mind digging through a dead girl’s phone for you. But I came to Cherryview to get away from shit storms, not bathe in them. I’m enjoying my anonymity. No one knows me here except a few pickleball pals, and the last thing I need is a fat, ugly lawsuit shining a bright light at the shadow I’m hiding in. And that’s what’s waiting for me if I get caught hacking a nationwide company’s online portal.”
“You’ve got the CEO and founder’s approval.”
“I’ll need that in writing and something from the higher ups. And this is nothing personal, Doc. I’m just telling you what my lawyers are going to tell me.”
Ethan nodded. “So you want somerealprotection?”
“I want some sort of formal immunity that whatever I find won’t blow back on me.”
Ethan grabbed his phone from his pocket and dialed, putting the phone on speaker while it rang.
“Hello?” came the voice from the other line.
“Governor Jones, it’s Ethan Hall. I think I’m close on Callie’s case, but I need a favor.”
CHAPTER 56
Nekoosa, Wisconsin Thursday, July 31, 2025
SHE PULLED THE BLOND WIG OVER HER HEAD BEFORE LEAVING THEhouse on Thursday morning. She walked out the back door and across the street behind the home, clicking her key fob as she went. The Range Rover chirped as the doors unlocked and she climbed behind the wheel. She pulled away and doubled back through the neighborhood just to be sure. As she drove past the house, she offered no indication that she was aware of the unmarked police car parked down the street. It was the older gentleman with a limp again. The nameEugenia Morganhad appeared in Francis’s visitor’s log, and there was no doubt the DCI was working hard to figure things out. She needed to be careful. There were just a few days left.
On Tuesday, she had allowed the undercover officer to follow her to Milwaukee, where she made stops at the gun shop and tactical store. There was no harm in allowing him to see her purchase a gun and Kevlar vest. In fact, Francis wanted the authorities to know about those purchases. But for the final details she had been tasked with, she couldn’t be followed. Hence, the blond wig and the second vehicle. They were looking for a tall, lanky woman with jet-black hair who drove a Ford Focus. The man behind the wheel of the unmarked DCI car was wholly uninterested in the blond woman driving past Eugenia Morgan’s home in a Range Rover.
She slipped on her sunglasses as she passed the unmarked car without offering so much as a sideways glance. A peek in the rearview mirror confirmed that Special Agent Kramer was not interested in her. His car did not move. She drove toward Milwaukee and sped up and down Interstate 794 until she was convinced no one was following her, then took the exit and found Veteran’s Park. She pulled into a spot in the north lot, a considerable distance from her destination. The walking path that meandered through the woods on the north edge eventually led to the lakefront. Lake Michigan offered a gentle breeze across her face, a delightful contrast to the torrid afternoon.
