Page 46 of Lethal Game

Henry shook his head, giving them a baffled look. "I have no idea. I'm sorry."

"Did you hear what happened to my parents' house?" Alisa asked.

"Something happened?"

"Someone set a fire. The house is basically gone."

Henry's jaw slackened. "That's terrible. Are you saying it was arson?"

"Yes."

"I don't understand what's going on. I hope you can figure this out, Agent Colter."

"Oh, I'll figure it out," Jason returned. "When was the last time you spoke to Dan Hunt?"

"It was on Monday when he took Pamela to the hospital. We spoke in the ER, and I assured him I'd do what I could to help."

"What about before that? Were you in frequent contact with Dan?"

"We spoke a few times a week. But he didn't mention any problems or concerns. Even when Pamela first got sick, he thought she had just caught a bug. He wasn't worried. But that changed when he brought her to the hospital. That's when I saw genuine fear in his eyes." Henry paused. "Now that I know what's been happening with Pamela, I'm also concerned about you, Alisa. What's with the bandage on your hand?"

"I cut myself. It's fine. I'm fine," she said.

He was surprised Alisa didn't launch into more detail about the kidnapping attempt or the car crash. But he was also fine with not getting into all that with Henry. Maybe she felt the same way.

"If your mother was being poisoned, you could also be in danger," Henry said. "Perhaps you should think about getting out of town."

"I can't leave my mom, especially with my father gone. She needs me. She needs an advocate."

As Alisa finished speaking, Lauren returned.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," Lauren said. "But there is an urgent call for you, Henry. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother you."

Henry gave Lauren a questioning look, then nodded. "Very well." He got to his feet and smiled apologetically at Alisa. "I have to go, but I'd like to visit your mother when that's possible."

"She's not having visitors right now," Alisa said as they stood up. "She needs to be in a controlled environment."

"I understand. If there's anything you need, please call me. I'm not your dad, but I'd like to be there for you."

"I appreciate that."

"It was nice to see you again, Alisa," Lauren said as she walked them to the door. "I hope everything will be all right with your mom."

"Thanks."

As they stepped out of the office, Jason paused, his phone vibrating in his pocket. "One second." He took out his phone to check the message, surprised to see a text from his former partner. Not that they didn't occasionally talk, but it had been a few months. The fact she'd reached out now that Novikov was in town made him nervous. He'd answer her later.

As he put his phone into his pocket, he heard Henry speaking to Lauren in a tense tone.

"Did you tell her I can't speak to her now?" Henry asked.

"I did, but Tatiana is very insistent she speak to you and only you. She's worried about not getting in the trial with her recent symptoms."

His pulse jumped at the mention of Tatiana.

Alisa gave him a questioning look. He put up a hand as she started to speak.

"I can't talk to her right now. Tell her I'll call her back," Henry said.

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