By Day Two, Charlie had factored the new data into his equations or expressions or algorithms or whatever it was he was developing. No longer figuring in the less organized street gangs, their search shifted to meat packing locations that would be accessible—possibly run by—the Japanese Yakuza. Megan had watched Charlie's complexion grow a shade paler as she gave him the new information, but he had not asked to see the photo. Not yet, anyway. Megan and Colby offered experienced insight when necessary, knowing that Charlie's search grids would maximize the efficiency of their efforts.

The mathematician had been scribbling away on the whiteboard, bouncing ideas off the other members of his own "team," Amita and Larry, when the call from LAPD came in. David entered the war room, breathless with urgency. Megan's senses immediately went on alert.

"I just received a call from Gary Walker." David's rich timbre was laced with anxiety. "LAPD just located a body in Compton. They found Don's badge and ID on it."

Megan watched Charlie's animated gestures go still. "Don?" The name was barely a whisper. Then his eyes desperately returned to the scrawls on the board. "But that makes no sense. Compton? Why would the Yakuza take Don there? Why would—"

David shook his head as he cut across the frantic mathematician. "They don't know. They can't identify the body as it is. They'll have to run DNA tests." David did not elaborate, but Megan knew what that meant. The body was missing its fingers and possibly its toes, and the face was mutilated beyond recognition—if it had a head at all.

Charlie swallowed. Apparently he, too, could put the proverbial two and two together. "David," he said, looking the agent in the eye and rubbing his own lower left arm with his right hand, "go identify the body. Please."

Megan noted the momentary confusion on David's face, confusion that turned to understanding and a small nod. Colby popped out of his chair to accompany his partner. "What? How can you identify the body? Walker just said they'd need to run DNA."

"Don was shot in the arm a few years back," David said. "During a bank robbery case, before you or Megan transferred in."

"His left forearm," said Charlie as he continued to rub his arm. "It was one of the first cases I ever helped him with."

"The Charm School Boys," Larry said softly, and Amita rose from her chair and approached Charlie from behind, gently sliding her arms under his and resting her head on the back of his shoulder.

"He—he still has the scar," Charlie said quietly, looking toward the whiteboard, ready to get back to his numbers.

Colby slapped David on the arm. "So what are we waiting for? Let's go."

As the partners dashed off, Megan surreptitiously reached for Larry's hand. He gave it a gentle squeeze as Megan closed her eyes in brief hope for her friend's safety.