How does the Handler acquire $5000 from Drake McBride regarding his lost dog?

The correct understanding of how the Handler acquires $5000 from Drake McBride is based on the context of coercion and the implications of potential illegal activities. The Handler threatens to inform the authorities about illegal activities, which puts pressure on Drake McBride to comply and pay the sum demanded. This method relies on instilling fear of legal consequences, creating urgency for Drake to resolve the situation by paying the Handler to avoid being reported.

In contrast, simply returning the dog would not inherently involve financial compensation, nor would it require any coercive tactics. Blackmail involving incriminating evidence implies a more straightforward approach of demanding money for evidence rather than leveraging the threat of reporting illegal activities. Lastly, negotiating a payment for the dog's safe return suggests a consensual agreement rather than the pressure of a threat. Thus, the dynamics of fear and coercion in the Handler's method highlight why the correct answer focuses on the threat of informing authorities.