The top of her head hosted a new bandage wrapped in gauze. The external supports on her legs were still there, suspended by a cable system of stainless-steel supports that looked like jungle-gym bars. Some of the balloons were attached to them, swaying gently in the processed air. The room had a conflicting odor, antiseptic versus floral. Nathan thought she did look better. Her eyes were brighter and more alert. When he first visited, she’d looked like death warmed over.

He grabbed a chair and sat facing her. “Director Lansing beat me to finding Amber Sheldon. When I arrived at the bar, two special agents were already inside watching her.”

Holly stared, her mind working. “Are you sure they were ours?”

“Am I one-hundred percent sure? No.”

“Then why do you think they were ours?”

“Lansing put an agent on the Lear with me, the copilot. He came clean and told me he was reporting directly to Lansing on my activities. Look, I’m not trying to be confrontational. I think it’s a safe play on his part, but before I go any further, I need to know who I can trust and who I can’t. And right now, Lansing’s in the negative column.”

“Of course I told Director Lansing where you were going and what you planned to do, but I didn’t know he’d take that kind of action.”

“He’s in the hot seat for any political fallout. He has to be cautious.”

“Overly, it seems.”

“I have a decision to make and I wanted to talk with you first. If we’re going to catch these guys, we can’t be working against each other. If Amber had spotted those undercover agents in the bar, the entire dynamic would’ve been different, she might not have talked to me. You understand where I’m going with this.”

“Yes.”

“Because I don’t want you to compromise your position with Lansing, I’m reluctant to continue with the status quo, especially if you feel you have to report everything I’m doing.”

“I don’t have to report everything.”

“Good, because I need your resources for the next phase of my plan.”

“If I’d known what Director Lansing was planning, I would’ve told you.”

“Like I said, I’m not pointing fingers at anyone, especially you, but the surveillance needs to stop.”

She reached out and grasped his hand. “I’ll find out what’s going on. That’s a promise.”

“Don’t compromise your relationship with him over this. You and me? We’re still good.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” She released his hand. “You mentioned the next phase?”

“I’ll be honest. It’s a long shot, but it’s all I’ve got. I need Ernie Bridgestone to call Amber again.”

“She already called?”