Quest Chapter 28

Chapter 28 – Summary

On St. John, Officer Charley and Tim examine the area around Mark Peltier’s abandoned car once more. Charley discovers Mark’s missing cell phone and wallet hidden behind the front driver’s side tire—items she had overlooked during her earlier inspection. She suspects they were intentionally placed there by Mark, likely as a clue to indicate that he hadn’t left the island voluntarily. Charley speculates that it may have been a silent plea for help, suggesting he’d been taken against his will. She informs Tim that she’ll take the items to the station to dust for fingerprints and confirm Mark’s identity. Tim opts not to accompany her, needing to check in at the restaurant he now owns, and they agree that Charley will update him later.

Meanwhile, on the mainland in Los Angeles, FBI agent Robert Jackson continues to feel the psychological strain of being flagged as a potential national threat by the AI system he helped evaluate. Haunted by the implications and fearing serious consequences, he seeks out Oliver Franklin, the Special Agent in Charge at the FBI’s LA office. During a confidential conversation, Jackson carefully avoids breaching classified information but explains that the AI has identified him as a possible risk to national security, despite his own belief that he has done nothing wrong.

Franklin, though initially alarmed, listens closely as Jackson outlines his fears—losing his job, facing arrest, or disappearing without explanation. While Franklin doubts the situation is as dire as Jackson imagines, he acknowledges Jackson’s growing anxiety. As a precaution and to ease Jackson’s mind, Franklin offers to relocate him to an FBI safe house, where he can continue working remotely in privacy and security. Importantly, Franklin suggests doing this off the books, to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. Jackson is visibly relieved, his voice breaking with emotion as he thanks Franklin. The two agree to reconvene at 6 p.m., when Franklin will provide the safe house details.