“No, but I—”

“And I know you didn’t have lunch, because I’ve been in the office with you for the last three hours.”

“That’s not—”

“Lewis, you’ve lost about ten pounds since you arrived on base, and there wasn’t that much of you to begin with.” He holds the elevator door for her. “Go up to the cafeteria and get something. Get me a coffee while you’re at it. You’ve done all the legwork, now let me do the phone schmoozing.”

Emma knows she should feel indignant, but she can’t hold on to it. As the elevator arrows upward, she thinks about the MT list. Then she mentally plans her trip back to Apple Creek, which roads to take. Thinking about both these things hurts less than thinking about saying goodbye to Bell.

She grabs a sandwich and two coffees and returns the way she came. Her brain won’t let her be, though.

She’s going to miss Bell. Beyond being partners for the interviews, they’ve got something. They’ve made a connection. She and Bell look out for each other—she knows he’s got her back.

Tucking the plastic-covered sandwich under her arm and juggling the coffees, she opens the door to the office. Bell is occupying the chair she vacated, sitting sideways at the desk, legs stretched out. He has one hand still on the phone receiver, like he just put it down. She closes the door with her foot and he looks over—somehow she knows instantly that something is wrong.

“What is it?”

“I just spoke to Martino, explained about the MT list. He said he’ll chase it. But he also told me that Raymond’s putting an operation together.” He holds out a hand. “Give me the coffee first, because you might drop it on the floor when I tell you about this.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

You got it?”

Bell nods, chafes his fingers. “Wouldn’t be here otherwise. Walk back with me.”

It’s Sunday morning, and Emma can hear the sound of birds nearby. She and Bell move briskly through the big pines, cutting off the main track and heading for the sunny place where the trees change. Oaks signal that the Quantico buildings are close.

Bell is in sweats—Emma guesses he was working the bag until Betty sent word. He’s interrupted what might be her last chance to run the Yellow Brick Road so they can both find out how much shit they’re in with Raymond’s ham-fisted “operation.”

“Did Martino call again with more information?”

“Nope. But he sent a message through Betty. Apparently, Raymond served Dr. Scott with an injunction to make sure she complies with the operation at the asylum.”

“So this whole thing is really happening.”

“Yep. It’s crazy, but it’s happening.”

“Is Raymond planning to booby-trap the entire asylum?”

“That was probably his original idea, but no.” Bell ushers her toward the path that leads to the entry to the bunker-style building substructure. “Just Gutmunsson’s part of it.”

“What the actual fuck.”

“That’s pretty much what I said to Martino on the phone yesterday. Come on.” He opens the door for her.