“Tee has a savior complex. She can’t help getting involved. It’s a sickness.” She huffed out an exasperated breath. “That said, you should know that if tonight blows back on her, I will hunt you down, point my manicured finger in your face and tell the magistrates everything I know about you and what you’re doing.”

Thinking of Harlow, my anger rose a notch. “Even if it condemns an innocent woman to death?”

“For Thierry?” An airy growl vibrated her throat. “Yes.”

I dipped my head, wondering if I would say the same in her place. I was risking my job, possibly jail time, by pulling this stunt to save a friend. But was I as willing as Mai to exchange a life for a life? I hoped to never have to answer that question.

“How good is your acting?” Half twisting in the seat, Mai raked her gaze up and down me. “Can you pull off cool professional, or are you the nervous, babbling type?”

I bent my lips to approximate a smile. “I can act.”

After all, I played the role of well-adjusted conclave agent every day, even when the eight-year-old girl trapped inside me was screaming.

Chapter 11

Getting inside Edelweiss was as simple as Mai signing a sheet pinned to a clipboard at the receptionist’s desk thanks to the fact said receptionist was nowhere to be seen. The exterior’s sweeping architecture had me hypothesizing the building had once been a private residence. Most likely it had been left in a trust for conclave use. From there, they must have converted it into a mental health facility while maintaining its elegant appearance. The interior, however, had been gutted of luxury. There was no difference between walking its halls and strolling any sterilized corridor in a major hospital.

Pity if this had once been a home. It was a cutting-edge medical prison now.

Mai waved me on toward a set of double doors. We pushed through, and a curvy woman with a pin-tight bun snagged us on the other side.

“Ms. Hayashi.” A warm smile brightened her face. “What can I help you with tonight?”

“I’m here to see Marshal Ayer.” She gestured toward me. “My associate is consulting on a case involving Ms. Ayer. I volunteered to escort her down here since I’m familiar with Edelweiss and its exemplary staff.”

Preening, the woman tittered. “I’ve got a minute. Why don’t I walk you there myself?”

Mai beamed. “That would be great.”

The orderly turned on her heel, white Crocs squeaking on the shiny floor, keys jingling where they bounced against her ample hip. We followed her through single doorways and double doorways, down long halls and past short alcoves, until my sense of direction muddled. Thank the gods for Mai’s familiarity with the complex. The place was a labyrinth.