Two black-clad personnel—Emma recognizes the SWAT markings and gear—have been deployed to supervise exiting staff near the foyer door beneath the stairs. Through that door, Emma can see straight out to the main entrance, where the sunlight is starting to weaken and ebb.

As Scott stares at the SWAT men, her mouth gets tighter. “Miss Lewis, I have the impression that no one is actually looking out for Simon. That he’s expendable. I have a duty of care, and I’m worried that the entire focus of this stakeout is on catching the Butcher, and if Simon’s personal safety is compromised, then that’s just too bad.”

It’s the break Emma’s been waiting for.

“I can help you.” She allows the words she’s been holding in to spill out. “Let me back into the building—me and Bell. We can take up a concealed position nearby, somewhere out of the action, and keep an eye on Simon.”

Scott blinks in response. “That’s… Do you know what you’re suggesting?”

“Yes.” Emma holds the line doggedly. “You trusted Cooper, now I’m asking you to trust me. Let me be your ally—if Raymond won’t let you stay, I can look out for Simon. Put me somewhere out of sight, put me in a side room, I don’t care. But someone needs to be here. It’s the only way to hold Raymond accountable.” And to get the information about the Butcher’s identity out of Simon.

There’s a pause. Scott presses her lips. “You’d stay out of sight?”

“Yes.” Emma keeps her voice firm.

“How are you going to get past FBI personnel? They’re closing off the side entrances to everybody. You can’t just walk in the front door.”

“This is a big facility, Dr. Scott. And you know it better than anyone.”

Emma leaves the comment hanging and Scott bites. After a quick perusal of eyes in the hall, she turns sideways to retrieve a heavy lanyard from inside the vee of her jacket. She unhooks two small keys from the ring on the lanyard, tucks the rest away.

“Take these.” Scott slips the keys into Emma’s nearest hand. “On the far west side of the complex is an outside alley that leads to the superintendent’s residence—my residence. Go through the house and the back gate, and you’ll be inside the walls. The rear door of the wing adjacent to this center building is painted brown. I’ll arrange for someone to meet you there.”

Emma grips Scott’s free hand. “Thank you.”

“You care for Simon, don’t you? As a friend?” Scott’s gaze is searching.

Emma fights her immediate reaction, which is to jerk back in horror. Yes, Scott has a duty of care. But she seems so invested in Simon… too invested, in Emma’s opinion.

The way Simon has influenced even someone as intelligent as Scott makes Emma doubt the wisdom of her plan for a moment—until she remembers it’s their only option.

“Simon’s… complicated,” she says finally. “But I don’t like the way the FBI is running this operation.” And I want to make sure Simon stays in his cage, where he belongs.