‘I think we’re gonna need field agents in the club, maybe some—’ Bell turns to look at Emma. ‘Sorry?’
Carter halts mid-dial. ‘What did you say, Miss Lewis?’
Emma swallows. Focuses her gaze on Carter. ‘I said, I know a way.’
Carter holds the phone receiver, his expression forbearing. ‘Miss Lewis, you’re a very intelligent young woman, so you understand why leaving coordinated police operations to qualified law enforcement is—’
‘Use me as bait,’ Emma says.
The entire office goes tomb-silent for the space of a heartbeat. Emma can’t even hear the bullpen noises over the thrumming of blood in her ears.
‘What?’ Bell looks confused.
‘Oh,Emma,’ Kristin whispers at almost the same time.
‘The College Killer wantsme,’ Emma says. ‘He’s searching forme.’
‘Miss Lewis—’ Carter starts.
‘No,’ Bell says firmly.
‘I want to be there.’ Emma looks only at Carter, who has developed an alert stillness. ‘I want to be inside the club.’
‘No way,’ Bell says.
‘It makes sense.’ Emma makes the appeal to Carter with her eyes as well as her words. ‘He’s searching for me. If I’m there, he’ll come close. And I know what this guy is like, better than anybody. I’m gonna recognize him faster than any agents in the field.’
‘Are youserious?’ Bell says.
‘Emma—’ Kristin starts.
‘What you’re suggesting is extremely dangerous,’ Carter says quietly.
Emma shakes her head, nice and slow. ‘I think that bullet has already left the chamber, and I’m pretty sure you know that, too.’ She transfers her attention to Bell, who is practically vibrating. ‘This case is dangerous for a whole lot of reasons. Only now we know what the perpetrator’s after. We have a chance to catch this guy—’
‘But you don’t have to put yourselfin the line of fire.’ Bell’s color is very high.
‘I’llknowhim, Travis.’ Emma makes her expression insistent. ‘If he’s there, I’ll know.’
‘She’s right.’ Kristin slaps a hand over her mouth before more words come out. She looks between Bell and Carter, drops her hand away. ‘I’m sorry, but she’s absolutely right.’
Carter grimaces, trapped between the thing he wants and theethics of it. ‘I don’t know if I can authorize that. I’m not saying I don’t want your help, Miss Lewis—’
‘If she goes in,Igo in,’ Bell declares. His jaw is rigid as he turns to look at Carter. ‘That’s the only way you should do it.’
Emma was not expecting this. ‘Travis—’
‘Are youinsane?’ Bell rounds on her, furious. ‘Do you think there’s anypossibleway that I would let you do this alone?’
Kristin glances at them both, then back to Carter. ‘They … work well together.’
That’s all there is to say. Emma stands there, clasping her hands into fists. Nausea roils in the pit of her stomach as Carter’s gaze takes in each of them in turn.
Finally, he makes a large sigh. ‘This is … I see your point, Miss Lewis, and it would be safer with Mr Bell nearby. But you’re both under twenty-one. That’s too young to be at the center of a high-risk law enforcement operation.’
‘There’ll be other support though, right?’ Emma already has her rebuttal. ‘You said SWAT will be involved.’
Carter nods, all his movements considered and deliberate. ‘This needs some thought.’ He smooths the chain of his glasses, his frown deep. ‘I’m gonna think on it. Let me talk to Jack Kirby.’
