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The majority of children who are kidnapped and killed are dead within three hours of the abduction Thanks toencyclopedia of probabilities and statistics, I knew the exact nu hours to days and days to weeks, the likelihood of recovery dropped so far that the FBI couldn’t justify the manpower necessary to keep the case active

I knew that by the time a case was classified “cold” and found its way to us, ere probably looking for a body—not a little girl

But…

But Mackenzie McBride was six years old

But her favorite color was purple

But she wanted to be a “veterinarian pop star”

You couldn’t stop looking for a kid like that You couldn’t stop hoping, even if you tried

“You look like a woman in need of amusement Or possibly libation” Michael Townsend eased hi out to the side

“I’m fine,” I said

Michael snorted “The corners of yourit, like if your lips parted into even a tiny sht clear the way for a sob”

That was the downside to joining the Naturals progras that other people didn’t Michael read facial expressions as easily as other people read words

He leaned toward me “Say the word, Colorado, and I will selflessly provide you with a much-needed distraction”

The last time Michael had offered to distract s up and then hacked our way into a secure FBI drive

Well, technically, Sloane had hacked our way into a secure FBI drive, but the end result had been the same

“No distractions,” I said firmly

“Are you sure?” Michael asked “Because this distraction involves Lia, Jell-O, and a vendetta that begs to be paid”

I didn’t want to knohat our resident lie detector had done to provoke the kind of vengeance that came laden with Jell-O Given Lia’s personality and her history with Michael, the possibilities were endless

“You do realize that starting a prank ith Lia would be a very bad idea,” I said

“Without question,” Michael replied “If only I weren’t so overly burdened with good sense and a need for self-preservation”

Michael drove like a eneral disdain for authority Twothat I was the subject of a serial killer’s obsession, and he’d gotten shot for his trouble

Twice

Self-preservation was not Michael’s strong suit

“What if we’re wrong about this case?” I asked My thoughts had looped right back around: froo to what Agent Briggs and his teaht now