Now as she keyed in her password, Jenna couldn’t help but wonder why she had been so careless to leave her laptop on the dining room table at the beach house with the case lying next to it. So strange…? I can’t remember leaving it there…am I losing my mind? Maybe someone wanted me to see it. Jenna recoiled. Her personal space had been violated once again by an intruder. Who the hell was it this time! Her email pinged a few seconds later. One incoming message but no identifiable sender. “Just what I need,” Jenna moaned. She clicked on the message, then sat back to analyze it. HUNGRY FOR PIZZA? “That’s just great! A cryptic message…just what I need.” Oddly enough, the message had been sent several days ago. The day after the explosion at the marina. The day her world had stopped spinning and she began the downward spiral. Into the worst depression she had ever known. A coincidence? “Doubtful.” Jenna searched frantically for flights departing from Key West with an arrival destination of Atlantic City. Unfortunately, there were no direct flights; all required at least a two-hour layover. More time to be wasted. She opted for a red-eye leaving Key West at eleven-thirty-five that evening. There was no way she wanted to run into Ann and have her plans thrown out the window. “I have to get out of here!” Jenna started to pack up her toiletries and the few clothes she had brought with her. Circling back to the laptop, she noticed how cold her hands had suddenly become. She rubbed her palms together, hoping the friction would keep her nerves at bay. It was time to make the call. On the second ring, an overly perky voice answered. “Hamilton-Knox Foundation. How may I direct your call?” “Mason Hamilton,” Jenna said, her voice quaking. Get a grip, Reed! The receptionist hesitated then cleared her throat. “Ah…Mr. Hamilton isn’t in the office. If you’d like Mr. Knox’s voicemail, I can…” “No, thank you,” Jenna replied anxiously. “I…was hoping to speak directly with Mr. Hamilton. You…wouldn’t happen to have an alternate number for him? It’s very…important. I would like to discuss making a donation to…” “Yes, of course! I’m so sorry. We were told not to send any calls to Mr. Hamilton’s private residence unless it was a donor. I can connect you now.” “May I have the number directly? In case we’re disconnected, I certainly wouldn’t want to bother you again.” “Oh, it’s no bother, really. The number is (212) 555-0517. I can connect you now if…” Jenna hung up. Breathe, Reed, breathe. Jenna keyed in the number on the dial pad, holding her breath. My game…my rules. I can do this… “Sí?” The male voice that answered didn’t sound anything like Hamilton or Kliric. Jenna double-checked the number. She had dialed correctly. “Mason Hamilton…please.” “Un momento.” Seconds turned into excruciating minutes. Finally, the unmistakable voice of Mason Hamilton echoed hauntingly in her ear. “Who is this?” “Jenna Reed.” “Ms. Reed, once again you surprise me. Somehow you’ve managed to find me on an unlisted number. I can see that your time has been well-spent cavorting with the FBI. You’re acquiring several of their shifty maneuvers.” “I didn’t call to trade slurs, Hamilton. I have a proposition for you. Take it or leave it. I don’t really care one way or the other.” “On the contrary, Ms. Reed, I think you do. Otherwise we wouldn’t be having this delightful conversation. Now, I’m assuming you wish to make a trade. The last treasure piece…the golden lion for…well, I’ll let you fill in the blanks.” “I want you to leave my family and friends alone. No more threats, no more sending your henchmen to do your dirty work. Leave the country and never return. If you agree to those terms, I will personally place the last treasure piece in your hand. However, if you try to backstab me or anyone else I care about, I will hunt you down and kill you. Do we have a deal?” Jenna wasn’t quite expecting what she heard next. Condescending laughter. From more than one person. How dare he put me on speakerphone! “Who else is with you?” “No one that concerns you, Ms. Reed. One of my…security advisors; that’s all. Now, let’s talk about the parameters concerning this exchange. When shall I expect you?” “I’m not coming to New York. We’ve already done that dance, remember? This time you’ll come to me…in Cape May.” “I rarely travel these days.” “No excuses. Like I said, you can take it or…” “How audacious of me to think otherwise. However, I do have certain concerns regarding my personal safety. I will expect you to come alone to the meeting location. If for some reason, you choose to bring even one additional person, I will refuse to conduct business with you. Are we clear, Ms. Reed?” Jenna gritted her teeth. She was so close to screaming several obscenities. “Ms. Reed?” “I’ll keep my part of the bargain. Make sure you do the same. I’ll call back with the time and location.” Jenna couldn’t endure one more despicable word. Mason Hamilton had unnerved her with such a short conversation; she dared to think what it would be like to stand before him one last time. I have to do this…for my own sanity and to protect everyone I love… Jenna’s fingers hovered over the faint scars on her chest. She could still see the taunting look in Hamilton’s eyes. He was practically gloating when Kliric’s knife made a horrible crisscross pattern on her chest. I won’t let Hamilton win…not this time. The time for retribution is long overdue.
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