Tom handed the butterfly lapel pin to Rafe. “Put it on her, please? And pass this back to Liza? I need to run a quick test.” He waited until both Mercy and Liza wore their wires. “Fine, talk among yourselves.”

“About what?” Mercy asked. “Like ‘testing, one, two, three’?”

“How about we go over a few pointers about talking to patients with dementia?” Liza asked. She leaned over the seat, between Farrah and Mercy, her dragon pendant swinging a little before settling against her skin. “First of all, call her by her name. Mrs. Franklin or Belinda. Speak to her just as you would anyone else, but when she talks, you listen. She might not be able to communicate the way she wants to, and it might frustrate her. Let her speak and give her time and space to choose her words.”

“So don’t finish her sentences,” Mercy said quietly.

Liza nodded. “Exactly. I’ll be there with you, and I’ll step in to redirect if I need to, or if you look like you need a second to think, okay?”

Mercy was grateful. “Yes, that’s wonderful. I know that I’m Miriam.” That was the name inscribed on the locket, because that had been her given name in Eden. Fortunately there had been a lot of Miriams, so they’d allowed nicknames, like Midge or Mimi. Her own name had been an acceptable alternative. “But who will you be?”

“I’m Beth, your friend,” Liza said. “If she asks how we met, tell her it was in school. I’d be surprised if she pushes for more info, but if she does, I’ll distract her.”

Farrah squeezed her hand again. “You’ll be wonderful, Mercy.”

Mercy just wanted it to be over. But it wouldn’t be over until it got started. She straightened her shoulders and guided Rory into the cat carrier. “I’m ready. Let’s do this.”

When Mercy, Rafe, and Liza had exited the van, Tom turned to André. “You should sit in the SUV with Agent Schumacher. She’s keeping watch over the vehicles and will get you to safety if it becomes necessary.”

André patted the holster at his hip. Luckily, it was his left arm that Ephraim had stabbed, because he was right-handed. He might have still been in some pain, but he could still use his weapon. “I’ll also be keeping watch. But I am curious about something. Isn’t she senior to you? Why isn’t she going in with them?”

Mercy stilled, waiting for his answer, because she’d wondered the same thing.

Tom gave Gideon and Rafe a rueful look. “She is senior, but my boss thinks that I have a good relationship with these guys and have a better chance of keeping them in line.”

Rafe snorted. “Seriously?”

But Gideon just shook his head. “It’s fair,” he admitted. “Thanks, Tom. I have a feeling you helped grease the skids with Molina, or we wouldn’t even be here with Mercy.”

Mercy could see the hint of heat in Tom’s cheeks. “Thank you, Tom,” she said quietly.