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SEVENTY-EIGHT

AFTER HE’S FINISHED LAYING out his theory to Camille Striker, Special Agent Blair glances over at the children in the play area, Grace and Lincoln Bowers, arguing over a game of cards. The boy, he takes after his father — or at least how his father looked when he was Wesley Price, before plastic surgery and a shaved head altered his features and he became David Bowers.

“I’m not confirming or denying anything you’ve said.” Camille looks him straight in the eyes.

“Yeah, I get it,” he says. “You’re sworn by law not to give up his identity. Even to an FBI agent. Even after you’ve retired. I respect that.” Blair sighs. “Look, no reason we have to be at loggerheads here. We want the same thing.”

She takes a step back. “No, we don’t. I want the Bowers family to live to see another day. And another after that.”

“So do I —”

“No, you want Cagnina. You don’t care how you get him.”

Blair’s head drops. He blows out a sigh. “Look, this can turn out okay for everyone. We can catch Cagnina and keep the Bowers family safe. You want to help Marcie? Persuade her to help me .”

Camille studies him. “Marcie as bait. I don’t think so.”

“Hey, the situation is what it is.” He opens his hands. “I didn’t create it. But if Cagnina’s got a guy making a move on them, no reason I can’t be there to catch him. I catch his guy, I catch Cagnina.”

“If he hasn’t skipped town,” says Camille. “He shot David — maybe killed him. Why on earth would he stick around?”

Oh. It hits Blair just then.

Camille doesn’t know about the money. Of course. David — Wesley Price — wouldn’t have told her about it.

“Okay, let’s make this easy,” says Blair. “I’m going to bring Cagnina in. And you’re gonna stay out of my way. If you obstruct a federal investigation, you’re gonna be giving birth to that child in a federal penitentiary.”