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“Not shut down,” I clarify. “Postpone. Just for a few hours.”

I surprise myself by saying this. Scarlett looks equally confused. I get it. I was the one who wanted to end this whole operation before it even began.

“These Santa Wannabes worked so hard to get here,” I add. “They deserve a chance for closure. To see this end the way it always has, with a Santa of the Year. So does the audience, and so do Nelly and Todd. We just need a few more hours.”

I had an idea of what this Con would be. But I had no clue how rooted in tradition and legacy these events are for many people. There’s more to it than meets the eye. Even when the holidays are hard, maybe something good can be found in it. It’s both hard, yet good.

Just like being a special agent.

Never did I think I’d be supporting people in their Christmas joy. And yet, I didn’t think I’d be arrested or framed by a vindictive Santa, either.

“Touching, truly,” Bowman says. “But no.”

I shrug. “Or we can tell everyone to go home,” I say, “and sweep this place up and down until we find the bomb. Raise suspicion. We’ve already seen what everyone can do with their phones and social media accounts. Why not see how they’ll talk about this online? Should we start with the bomb threat or lead up to that?”

“Christ, Lambros,” Bowman says, “you and Payne really know how to get under someone’s skin.”

“It was our favorite class at Quantico,” Scarlett retorts, backing me.

“Agent Winter, help me out here,” Bowman says.

“Hey! She may have been an FBI kid, but she’s actually pretty good,” Scarlett says, defending Holly. “Don’t mock her until you see her in action.”

Bowman gives Holly a look. “We should probably tell them.”

Holly gives a sheepish smile and removes something from her back pocket. A badge. “About that…”

Her background check, the rejection from Quantico. It was a cover story. She’s been undercover as a judge, but why? And why keep her identity hidden from me and Scarlett and our team? Unless…

“You brought her in to keep an eye on Lambros,” Scarlett says, her eyes dark.

Bowman doesn’t look sorry. “We couldn’t be too careful.”

“I’m sorry I had to lie,” Holly says.

Honestly? I get it. I know Scarlett does, too. And who more unsuspecting than a fake agent turned real agent?

“You so owe me all the behind-the-scenes gossip about FBI Kid 3,” Scarlett says.

Holly nods quickly. “Done.”

I glance at my watch. Time’s still ticking.

“Nelly, Todd, go send everyone home to get some sleep,” I say. It’s not a full plan, but it’s a good start. The show can’t go on—right now. “You’ll let them know when they can come back later today. The final ceremony will happen, and you’ll have your Santa of the Year.”

“You promise there will be a crowning?” Nelly asks.

I shouldn’t, but I say it anyway. “I promise. One way or another, a Santa of the Year will be crowned.”

Scarlett grabs my notepad and scribbles something down. She pulls me aside as Bowman and Holly work out the details with the hosts.

“Every clue has been personal,” she says to me, her voice low. “What if this is a personal landmark?”

“To… us?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “To Arnold and Bijoux. This whole plan, it was never about the Con. It was about you. Getting you back for splitting up two people in love. This part, Arnold’s doing for Bijoux.”

Scarlett looks like she’s wrestling with something.