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Jake reached his limit.The weight of the day had taken its toll. He’d lost his badge, been hung out to dry by the Bureau, sidelined from an investigation that was pulling Dana deeper and now Claire had lied to him.

He didn’t believe her bullshit ‘I needed air’ story for a second.

Jake wished he could say his years of training made the lie easy to spot. But when it came to Claire, he was guilty of having a blind spot. One he never would’ve realized if it wasn’t for the video surveillance he’d had installed along with the security system, unbeknownst to Dana and apparently Claire.

He’d checked the footage after he’d found her missing from her room. There was a clear shot of her bedroom window. It was never opened.

Jake glanced at Claire through the open door of Dana’s office. She sat on the couch, the picture of remorse. As far as tells go, Claire didn’t have any. She’d spun her lie expertly. The best thing he could do was continue to let her believe she’d gotten away with it. Confidence is what trips most people up.

The trouble was, Jake didn’t want Claire to trip. He wanted to stop her before the fall.

There was only one reason people lied. And Jake intended to find out what Claire was hiding.

But he had to do it without involving Dana. She had enough on her plate without worrying more than she already did about Claire. Especially after her encounter with Agent Spector.

Jake wished he could say hearing Dana’s recount of her conversation with the Homeland Security Agent had soothed his nerves, but it had done the opposite. “I’d be more comfortable with you working with him if I could access his CV.”

“I’m not working with him,” Dana amended. “He just wants me to get Meredith to cooperate.”

Jake raised his eyebrows. “And you’re willing to entrust Meredith to this unverified HSI Agent?”

“I don’t really have a choice, do I? He’s going to question her with or without my help. With it, this ends faster.”

“Unless it’s not a political strike.”

“Now you’re doubting it?” Dana asked.

Jake shrugged. “Your first instinct is usually the right one. This Holloway kid might have celebrity parents, but I don’t see the connection between him and Hayes.”

“Me neither. It doesn’t help that I didn’t get to walk the first crime scene. But from the photos, this one feels different. More violent. Almost like it’s two different killers with the same MO.”

“Okay, so if it’s not political, what’s the agenda? Who’s behind it? The fact that no one has claimed responsibility, domestic or abroad makes me think you’re right. This is serial.”

Dana chewed her nails, lost in thought. She looked up at Jake. “Even if we’re right, there’s not much to go on. I have plenty of research to compile a profile based on Grim Reaper rituals, but Hartwell has no prints, no DNA, and Agent Spector won’t give me access to the weapons, or any other shred of evidence. Without it, the haystack’s too broad.”

“The Alchemist examined Hayes with you, right? He photo catalogs every case he’s ever worked on. I’m sure he’d give you access.”

Dana sighed. “I’m afraid I burned that bridge.”

The crease between Jake’s brow deepened. “What do you mean?”

“Turns out our friend the Alchemist is as loyal as the media when it comes to gossip.”

Jake couldn’t contain his grin. “And let me guess, you gave him a piece of your mind?”

“I may have said I’d rather go down with the ship than change with the tides.”

An actual laugh escaped him. “And that’s why I love you.”

“Yeah,” Dana paused. “About that.”

“What?”

“You can’t suddenly say that word like it doesn’t mean something.”

“Who said it doesn’t mean something?” Jake took her by the shoulders. “Dana, it means everything. After watching you get pulled out of your car by HSI tonight and being helpless to stop it … After everything we’ve been through. It’s all the more reason to say that word. I love you. I’ve made peace with that. One day, I hope you can, too.”

Dana stoodspeechless in Jake’s presence for the second time in less than an hour, trying to absorb his calm revelation. It was a complete departure from the way he normally went about things, and it was jarring. She was much more adept at handling his temper and misguided machismo. But this wasn’t an argument. Jake had simply led her to a fork in the road and let her know what path he was choosing.

The rest was up to her.

“Keep researching your Reaper theory,” he said calmly. “I’m going to go check on Claire.”

Then he kissed her atop her head and walked out of the room.