Emma hears a nearby plainclothes detective murmur to his desk mate, ‘Or you could just shoot the fucker, put him out of his misery.’
‘Pittsburgh PD backup teams will be stationed at street intersections – check your maps.’ Carter’s eyes move over the group, intent. ‘Gentlemen, this is not going to be like Paradise. Peter Kirke is not going to slip through again. Like the chief said, we want this smooth and by the numbers. Hostage gets rescued, perp goes down, nobody gets hurt. Does that sound preferable?’ Agreement from his audience. ‘Good. It sounds preferable to me too.’
Horner takes over. ‘All right, people, this is what we’ve worked for. You know your jobs. Backup teams, I want five minutes in the deposition room real quick. SWAT is with Special Agent Carter. This operation kicks off in ten – get to your stations.’
Officers and agents disperse with a sense of purpose. It’s nearly 5:30PM. Behind the blinds over the big bullpen windows, the sunlight is starting to gray. Emma’s not sure how far away Crafton is, but she guesses the teams will arrive right at dusk. She doesn’t knowif that’s a strategic advantage. She imagines they’d prefer not to be chasing Peter Kirke through the Pittsburgh suburbs in the dark, if things don’t go to plan.
‘But what dowedo?’ Kristin asks, watching the movement of men and uniforms and weapons.
Bell looks distracted. ‘I don’t know yet.’
‘We’re probably gonna be sitting this one out,’ Emma says to Kristin. The awareness gnaws at her, but she works to control it. She follows Bell’s line of sight, sees Kirby in serious conversation with Martino as they walk toward the exit.
‘I guess we’ll have to save the introductions for later,’ Bell says quietly, before turning to Emma. ‘You’redefinitelygonna be sitting this one out. Question now is, whether I will be.’ He glances up toward Carter. ‘Sir?’
Carter breaks off giving instructions to one of the SWAT officers to walk over. ‘Mr Bell, you were wondering about your assignment? It’s to stay and supervise Miss Lewis and Miss Gutmunsson.’
Bell wets his lips. ‘Sir—’
‘I don’t know that we reallyneedsupervision,’ Kristin says in an undertone.
Carter catches the comment, looks pointedly at Emma.
‘Hey,’ Emma says, palms open, ‘I am on good behavior here, I swear.’
‘Please try not to sneak out on your security detail this time.’ Carter turns back to Bell. ‘Mr Bell, we need you here. Everyone else is on assigned duties.’
Bell seems resigned to the idea. ‘Francks and Napier are assigned?’
Carter nods. ‘But I feel pretty confident about Miss Lewis’s safety in the middle of Pittsburgh police headquarters, especially now we’re grabbing the guy who’s made her a target.’ He checks in with Emma. ‘Are you comfortable with that?’
‘Yes.’ Emma feels she has to fly the flag for the team. ‘But Bell misses out on the action.’
‘This isn’t a punishment.’ Carter looks between them. ‘This is about doing our job. You won’t be blind – you can listen in on the radio chatter, there’s a VHF scanner on Kowalski’s desk.’
‘Emma, it’s fine,’ Bell says. ‘Don’t worry about it.’
‘You’ve trained for this.’ She’s not convinced that Carter’s claim that ‘this isn’t a punishment’ holds water.
‘I can stay,’ Bell insists. He turns to Carter. ‘I’m okay to stay.’
Kristin straightens, cheeks pink with excitement. ‘So we can listen in to the radio and hear what’s happening?’
‘That’s correct,’ Carter says. ‘You can’t contribute to the conversation, but you can hear us talk on the scanner.’
Emma looks him in the eye. ‘The last time I listened in on an FBI operation, Ed Cooper ended up as a casualty.’
Carter’s manner becomes reassuring. ‘Every precaution will be taken, Miss Lewis, I guarantee.’ He turns again to Kristin. ‘The information from your brother has been critical to this case, Miss Gutmunsson, and I appreciate the work you’ve done as liaison.’
‘And when this is over?’ Kristin brightens hopefully.
Carter hesitates, trying to be gentle. ‘When Peter Kirke is apprehended and all the links to the videotapes have been followed up, then we’ll begin the process of returning Simon to Byberry. After that, it will be a matter for the court.’
‘Oh.’ Kristin’s cheeks are pink for a different reason now. ‘I … I understand. I mean, of course.’
Carter pulls on his FBI tactical jacket. ‘Miss Lewis, Mr Bell – it’s time.’ He looks at both of them seriously. ‘We’ll see you on the other side.’
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
