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“The Justice Department inspector general is assigning an emergency response attorney. Until that attorney reviews the transfer order, no prisoners or evidence leave Fort Baker.”

“How long will that take?” Ben asks.

“They’re joining us by secure call now.”

Marquez looks toward the room where the Sinclairs are gathered.

“I want the family moved away from this entrance before we open the door.”

“I don’t want to leave,” I say.

Ben exhales.

I look at him. “Don’t.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You were about to.”

“I was deciding how much I value that rare moment when you agree with me.”

“Not enough, apparently.”

Keating points toward the adjoining conference room.

“You can watch the security feed from there. That is not a request.”

I start to argue.

Marquez stops me.

“If Kessler’s team contains someone loyal to him, seeing you may be part of their objective.”

That changes everything.

I follow my family into the conference room.

Ben and Ward come with us. Thomas is the last one through the door.

An officer locks it behind him.

Several monitors line one wall. One shows the secured corridor. Six agents wait outside the main door. All wear dark jackets and body armor, but their weapons remain holstered.

Agent Nolan Price stands at the front.

He appears to be in his late forties, with a shaved head and a scar near his chin. His attention moves constantly between the door, the other agents, and the phone in his hand.

“He looks angry,” Hazel says.

“He should be,” Ward replies. “His director sent him into a jurisdictional fight without telling him why.”

One of the agents at the back turns toward the security camera.

He has pale hair and narrow shoulders.

Thomas rises so quickly that his chair falls over.

“That man.”