“Right, right.”

“But I’ll contact Howard Carter, get him to belly up to Justice and explain the numbers.”

“For sure. I guess the case is the priority.”

Cooper looks grave. “The case is always the priority, sir.”

“You got it.” Cooper’s superior turns his attention to Emma and Bell, standing like ornaments in the background. “These are your new recruits, I take it.”

He shoots his cuffs unnecessarily, and Emma realizes they’ll have to watch their step.

Cooper nods as he makes the introductions. “Miss Lewis, Mr. Bell, this is Section Chief Donald Raymond.”

Raymond shakes Bell’s hand in that bluff “good ole boy” way. “Great to meet you, son. How’s the work?”

Bell has been standing straight since the elevator door opened. “The interviews are going well, sir. It’s a privilege to be working with the bureau.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear that. Your dad was a fine Marshal. And here you are, carrying on his legacy.”

“Yes, sir.”

Raymond grimaces. “Helluva thing, losing a man like that. I met your dad once, on the job. You look a lot like him. But good for you, son, keep up the good work.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Raymond turns Emma’s way and she wonders if he’s even aware of the casual hurt he’s just inflicted on Bell. Then she’s concentrating on her own responses as Raymond squeezes her fingers.

“Miss Lewis, good to meet you. That’s a tough job you’re doing—how’re you holding up?”

“Thank you, I’m doing fine.” Emma extricates her hand.

“Tricky business, yes indeed. Not the kind of thing we’d normally ask of a young lady like yourself, but Agent Cooper says everything’s going well.”

“It’s good to get feedback from Agent Cooper.” She tries not to sound too dry. Maybe Raymond thinks he’s being courteous.

Cooper’s eyes dart. “If you’ll excuse us, sir.”

“Absolutely, sure,” Raymond says. “Well, a pleasure to meet you both. Let me know how it all pans out.”

He passes by, they enter the elevator, and Cooper punches the button. His Plymouth is in the shop, and they have to visit the motor pool to requisition a vehicle. When they get there, Cooper goes to hunt up something suitable as Emma and Bell stand near the wall, out of the way.

“Tricky business,” Emma says conversationally.

Bell, eyes forward. “My mom is from Oaxaca. My dad had blue eyes and blond hair. I don’t look anything like him.”

Cooper comes back folding the paperwork. “The gray Diplomat. Let’s move.”

Starting this late in the day, there’s no way they can beat the traffic. Emma contemplates the scene with Raymond for the first part of the drive, lets it go to focus on more pressing concerns.

“Does Dr. Scott know we’re coming?”

“I phoned her, yes.” Cooper is concentrating on the Diplomat’s handling. “Watch yourself with Scott. She’s highly professional but maybe a little too invested in ‘reforming’ Gutmunsson.”

“How does she think someone like Gutmunsson can be reformed?” Bell asks.

“In her philosophy, anyone can be reformed.” Cooper frowns. “It’s a very humanitarian impulse, but misguided in this case, I think.”