Emerson cupped Addis’s chin, forcing her to look at her. ‘That night in the haunted house? You’re the one who kept reminding me to stop thinking that way. It was one step in front of the other. This time our lives actually depend on our success, so we’re going to do the same thing. Every time we hit one of those false exits, we’re going to backtrack until we find the correct path.’ Em closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against Addis’s. ‘You with me?’

What could Addis do but agree? After all, if Em could dig deep enough to convince herself to keep going, she could, too. Sheer grit and determination forced her to her feet. Wobbling on her weak legs, she locked her knees in place before extending her hand to pull Em up beside her. ‘I’m with you.’

Chapter Thirty

Monday, October, 7

Walking back into the conference room, feeling the stares of her teammates, old and new, Alyssa did her best to ignore the pulsing headache quickly migrating to the front and sides, making her head feel like it had doubled in size and was now on the verge of exploding. Everyone locked their worried eyes on her. Even Sandra’s face was draped in concern.

For now, she ignored the trepidation that cloaked them like a well-worn shawl because, as Cord had said, Joe was on the phone with one of their technicians, Bill Hedge. Even if Cord hadn’t told her, she would’ve known because Hedge had a booming voice that could probably be heard from space, and so hearing him from across the room was no problem, especially as Joe was partially holding his cell away from his ear so as not to go deaf.

Raising his hand, he held his index finger and thumb close together in a gesture generally understood to mean a little bit, but which her team had come to recognize as Joe meaning give me just another minute.

While she waited, she tried to read Joe’s expression. His eyes were wide, pupils dilated, and his skin was flushed, which generally meant he was either fatigued or excited. Could that mean they might have finally found one thread to tug at that would unravel this whole sordid mess and lead them to Addis and Emerson?

Hal drew her attention away by rolling his chair over to her and touching her hand. ‘Don’t shoot the messenger, but you look like hell, Lys.’

‘Gee, that’s so sweet of you to mention,’ she snarled.