“No problem.” A hesitation from Brown. “Ed Cooper would’ve called me on a Sunday. He would’ve done what he had to do. Call again anytime, Miss Lewis.”

Emma replaces the receiver in its cradle. When she turns around, Bell is standing with his arms crossed.

“What is it?” she asks.

“You first.”

“That was Brown. No code. The message is flowery but accurate, which means the Butcher has a standing invite to visit St. Elizabeths tonight. Your turn.”

“That was Martino. Raymond sent a message—he wants to see us.”

“Right now?”

“Right now. Grab your jacket.”

He closes the door behind them. Emma wants to ask what it was in Raymond’s message that got Bell so angry. Then she decides that overall, she doesn’t want to know.

The trip to Raymond’s office is short and fast, too fast.

“Remember,” Bell says, “we didn’t hear about the asylum operation through official channels. Martino’s information is all on the down-low. If Raymond asks, we’re still in the dark about it.”

Emma nods and faces forward, knocks.

“Come,” Raymond calls.

They enter together. Raymond sits at his desk as if it’s a godlike throne. Martino, aggressively neutral, stands at attention to the right. Raymond’s facial expression is puckered and Emma has to take a deep breath to hold on to her anger.

“You two,” Raymond says. “I understand your ID badges are still active until tomorrow, and while you’re on this base you answer to me—so I’m sending you on an errand.”

“What’s the errand,” Bell asks tonelessly. Emma suspects he is at the end of his patience with Raymond.

“Simon Gutmunsson’s twin, Kristin, has been allowed visitation access to see her brother. Whatever kind of weird relationship they might have, I’ve allowed it because Gutmunsson agreed to cooperate with the bureau on official business.”

There it is. Emma exchanges a glance with Bell. Now they know how Raymond got Simon to agree to his terms.

Raymond plucks at his tie. “Unfortunately, Kristin Gutmunsson has only agreed to meet the conditions of visitation if you two are the ones who escort her to her brother’s facility.”

Emma bites her lip. Leverage, thy name is Kristin. “And what if, considering the circumstances, we don’t wish to perform escort duty?”

Raymond makes an unpleasant-looking smile. “Then, Miss Lewis, I will have you charged with obstruction of justice. Your IDs will be confiscated and you will be physically removed from this base by serving Marines. Mr. Bell can kiss his police academy spot goodbye…”

He cuts his eyes to Bell, whose jaw clenches so tight Emma can practically see his teeth through his cheek.

“… and needless to say, your per diem for time served will be null and void. So do I have an agreement on this?”

For a moment, the flames of Emma’s fury burn so high it leaves her airless.

“What official business is Simon Gutmunsson assisting with?” Bell asks.

“Not your concern,” Raymond says. “Just get me the girl. Bring her to St. Elizabeths before the end of the day, let her see her brother, take her home. It’s a simple job. So simple even you two can’t screw it up.”