The other members of the Scientific Analysis unit are moving around, gathering equipment. Nobody rushes, but there’s an air of brisk efficiency. Westfall is in his own office, paging Linda Brown out of her daughter’s dance recital.

“What do we do now?” Emma stands with Bell by the wall in Neilsen’s office. The abrupt shift in her concentration, after the most recent discussions, has given her a sense of free fall.

Bell opens his mouth to speak, stops. Shakes his head.

Cooper finishes his call, begins dialing another immediately. Emma thinks it’s possible he’s forgotten they’re here.

“Agent Cooper—” she starts.

He holds up a finger, then his attention goes away. “Yes. Yeah, Don, it’s Berryville. I’m still in Washington so I’m leading the team. Betty’s organized a… No, sir. I don’t think that’s necessary. The people who’ve been working this from the start are the best.… No, sir. I appreciate the idea, but that is not my recommendation.… Okay. Yes, that would be better. Thanks, Don, I’ll keep you updated.”

He hangs up, his finger still pressed on the receiver like he’s thinking of where to call next. Then he pauses, turns to Emma and Bell. “Okay, it’s like this. DCPD is sending us a chopper, it’ll be on the roof in the next four minutes. I want you to go back to Quantico—”

“Are you kidding?” Emma blurts.

Cooper rounds on her. “Miss Lewis, this is not your fight.”

“What are you talking about, we just—”

“Miss Lewis.” Cooper composes himself with effort. “I am not taking you to an active crime scene. I applaud you and Mr. Bell for what you’ve contributed to this case so far, and we’ve turned up some important information as a result of your efforts, but now is not the time or place for this discussion.”

“Agent Cooper—”

“Lewis.” Bell touches her shoulder.

“Mr. Bell, take these.” Cooper fishes the car keys out of his pants pocket, tosses them into Bell’s catch. “Drive back to Quantico. I’ll meet up with you there, most likely sometime tomorrow.” He narrows his eyes at Emma. “I’ll give you all the information I receive. Don’t worry, you’ll be kept in the loop.”

Emma bites her lip hard. She nods.

“Good.” Cooper glances at the wall clock. “Time to get upstairs. Do you both understand my instructions?”

“Yes, sir,” Bell replies.

“Yes,” Emma mutters.

“Thank you. Remember you’ll need to be checked off at the escort desk. I already called them to say you’re on your way down. I’ll see you back at base.” Cooper grabs his notebook and heads for the door.

There are no rousing speeches as the unit makes for the roof. Westfall ushers Emma and Bell out of the offices with the rest of the personnel and everyone hustles to the elevators. Neilsen is chewing on a sandwich he’s got in one hand, with a hard case that looks like an outsized fishing tackle box in the other. Cooper is focused on something in his own brain and doesn’t even look their way. Dixon gives them a rueful smile and a nod as the doors close.