Bell exhales through his nose. Emma steps up to the plate.

“Mr. Cooper, would you please just be honest? What is going on? What did Simon Gutmunsson send you? You said he communicates with you, and he talked about how he’s been asking to see you.” Emma chases Cooper’s line of sight. “Look, you don’t need to play me, I’m already here. I want to help. But if you’re gonna jerk me around, I’d rather go back to Apple Creek.”

Cooper purses his lips, thinking. Finally comes to some kind of decision.

“He’s sent me three letters.” Cooper’s voice is quiet. “One after Crozet, one after Luray. The last one was just after Pennsylvania.”

“He gives you details about the murders,” Emma prompts.

“Not details. Insights. I guess he’d know better than anybody how this new killer thinks.”

“Is any of the information Gutmunsson’s offering helpful?”

“I don’t know. He’s promised to share more if I go see him. But trying to insert themselves into police investigations, or grandstanding for more attention, is something these guys do. So… I’m wary.” Cooper rubs a palm across his face. “On the other hand, we’ve been going in circles on this new case and I’m trying every lead I can find, no matter how off base.”

Bell’s arms are folded. “Sir, I know the Pennsylvania case is tough. And I understand you’re in a bind with it. But if you’d told me the real purpose of this unit was to interview Simon Gutmunsson—”

“You never would have joined up.” Cooper meets his eyes. “I know. And I’m sorry. The thing is, Mr. Bell, I’ve got four dead teenagers in the morgue and likely more on the way. What would you have done, in my position?”

Bell bites his lip hard enough to leave a mark. “Okay. I get it. But the way you’re doing it, it’s not gonna work. If you’re sending Lewis in to get leads off Gutmunsson, you gotta give us more information. Send her in blind, without any authority, and he’ll just toy with her.”

“Bell’s right,” Emma says. “We need more information. Not to mention we deserve more.”

Cooper winces. “I can’t give you any details about active cases. Donald Raymond, the section chief, was very specific—”

“Fine.” Bell is determined. “Then officially, we’re not involved. Unofficially, we’ll be more use to you if we’re better informed.”

“We’ll play,” Emma agrees. “But not if we’re being played.”

Cooper looks between Bell’s solid resolve and Emma’s defiant insistence. “Okay. Fine. You want in, I’ll tell you what I know. And when we get back to Quantico, I’ll get you some access to the Pennsylvania files.”

“Good.” Emma refuses to show gratitude.

“Give me Gutmunsson’s questionnaire first.”

“No. First, the files.”

Cooper narrows his eyes. “Miss Lewis, I said I’d share information, but I’m not horse-trading with you. You’re gonna have to trust me.”

Emma hesitates, looks at Bell. A pause, then Bell nods. She passes over the folder.

“Thank you.” Cooper glances back at them as he reaches for the key, turns to start the engine. “You kids drive a hard bargain.”