Dirk groaned softly and rubbed his hand down the lower half of his face. Shit. Was Jake really upset about that "prank"? Just the mention of a fight had his hands clenching into fists at his sides, his instincts screaming at him to find a weapon before Jake attacked him.

Frowning, he explained, "I told Jane already, that wasn't me. Long story short, my auto-responder program is an asshole."

His expression lightened slightly as he turned to Jane. Instead of answering, he ventured to change the subject, "Jane Crocker. Any relation to Crocker University?"