He was startled out of his thoughts when Brent came in through the front door and straight into the kitchen when he noticed the lights on.

“You’re still up,” he said. “Good.” He put a six-pack of craft beer on the counter.

“You’re taking an awful lot of chances with my diet,” Jeremiah told him, grabbing a beer. “What the hell are you doing here, anyway? We don’t even have a viewing tomorrow. Scott, in his magnanimous kindness, has arranged a day off, remember?”

“You had a rough day,” Brent said. “Thought you might want some company.”

“Brent,” Jeremiah began. He was genuinely moved by the sentiment. “You didn’t have to do that. You have your own life. You don’t have to worry about me.”

Brent shrugged and opened a beer. “No one should be alone after his mother’s funeral,” he said. “Besides, I have a proposition for you.”

“Last time someone said those exact words to me I ended up with a clone,” he said.

“This is a different kind of proposition.”

“I don’t know, Brent. I mean, I like you and all—but I’m a married man, and think of Mel.”

“Keep dreaming, pal. You’re way too old for me.”

“Let’s hear it, then.”

“I’ve been thinking about what you said,” Brent began, “about your mother, about how she died...your suspicions about Scott.”

“You said I was crazy, as I recall.”

“You probably are,” Brent said. “But you shouldn’t have to deal with those thoughts. Not after everything that’s happened. I think we should go on a little secret mission, see what we can find out. See if we can put your mind at ease.”

“Secret mission?”

“There’s no viewing tomorrow. That means everyone’s got a little time off, right? There’s no one here except for one security guard and he’s probably asleep by now. And I know that because I split a six-pack with him just before I came here.”

“So, this is at least three beers talking, then. What exactly does this secret mission of yours entail?”

“We go into Pike’s office,” Brent said. “Hack into his computer, see what we can find out. There’s bound to be something there that will prove to you that no one is out to get you.”

“Sounds pretty risky to me,” Jeremiah said. “Not your best idea.”

“Come on, where’s your sense of adventure? You’re the one who thinks there’s all kinds of devious plots going on behind the scenes. Why not be a little devious ourselves? Why not just find out?”

“You think you can really hack into Pike’s files? With half a six-pack in you?”

Brent snickered. “Really?”

“What if we’re caught?” Jeremiah asked. “I don’t want to get you in trouble.”

“We won’t get caught. I know where every security camera is.”

“Just like you knew about the one in Mel’s painting.”

“That’s different. No one has any reason to hide them outside your rooms. Believe me, if we stay close to the walls, right up against them, they probably won’t even pick us up on camera. But this is our only opportunity, Jeremiah. The place is empty. If you want answers, we need to get them now. Tonight. We’re not going to get another chance like this.”