Nathan settled in for the short flight back to Sacramento. He needed to talk with Holly Simpson, just the two of them. Everything hinged on her being honest. At a minimum, he was going to need the full media power of the FBI to implement his plan for trapping Ernie. He’d just have to wait and see how his conversation with Holly went. Despite everything he suspected about Director Lansing, he still felt Holly could be trusted. They’d connected on an emotional level, and he didn’t think she would willingly betray him. Willingly being the operative word.

He turned toward Henning, who was looking at him. “I’d like to visit with SAC Simpson tonight. Alone, if you’re okay with that.”

“It’s up to her.” Henning pulled his phone and dialed the hospital. He asked to be connected to Simpson’s room. “Hi SAC,” he said. “How are you feeling? Yes, we’re on our way, should be landing in about twenty minutes. Nathan McBride wants to stop by.… Yes, tonight.… Okay. We should be there in about an hour plus or minus. Okay.… See you then.”

“Thanks,” Nathan said.

“No problem. May I ask what it’s about?”

Nathan hesitated.

“Look,” Henning said. “I don’t blame you for being suspicious. There hasn’t been a lot of trust around here.”

“I’m an unproven asset. It’s a safe call on Director Lansing’s part.”

“If Lansing had seen you in action at Sutter Hospital, he’d feel differently.”

“For what it’s worth, I’ve got no problem with you.”

“Well, at least that’s something. What does five-by-one mean?”

“It means I’m uneasy with the current situation and don’t want to discuss the subject aloud. I have a plan, but I want to run it by SAC Simpson first.”

“Why not run it by me too?”

“I will when I’m able. I can tell you this much. My plan’s risky and I’m going to need some luck to pull it off, but it’s all I’ve got.”

“I want to help.”

“It’ll be Simpson’s call. You and I have worked well together.”

* * *

The first thing Nathan noticed when he entered Holly’s hospital room was the cheerful atmosphere. Flowers and heart-shaped helium balloons where everywhere. Despite the monitoring machines and intravenous stands, the room looked colorful and bright. Holly was sitting up in bed with an FBI file in her lap. She set the file down.

“Thank you for the flowers and balloons,” she said.

He paused, but recovered quickly. Harv. “You’re welcome. Feeling better?”

“Tons.”