"Then what do you suggest?"
"Quiet surveillance first. We need to establish who enters and leaves."
Dawson agreed.
Twenty minutes later, a federal surveillance team positioned itself around Willow Street.
The address led to a two-story commercial building that had once housed a printing company.
Its windows were covered.
The front entrance was chained.
No lights were visible.
Olivia watched from an unmarked vehicle parked two blocks away.
Daniel studied a live camera feed.
"Thermal imaging shows activity in the rear portion of the building."
"How many?"
"At least three heat signatures. We can't identify them."
Olivia pressed her radio.
"All units, maintain positions. No entry until we confirm the situation."
A black van turned onto Willow Street.
It stopped behind the building.
Two men stepped out.
One carried a large duffel bag.
The other held a phone.
Daniel zoomed in.
"Possible armed personnel."
Olivia watched carefully.
Then she saw something that made her blood run cold.
A third man emerged from the van.
He was wearing a federal tactical jacket.
Across the back were large yellow letters.
FBI.
Daniel frowned.
"That's not one of ours."
Olivia immediately contacted the command center.
"Confirm all federal units assigned to Willow Street."
The response came seconds later.
"All assigned personnel accounted for. No additional tactical team authorized."
Olivia gripped the radio.
"Those men are impersonating federal agents."
The three men approached the rear entrance.
One knocked twice.
The door opened.
Olivia saw a young man with a scar beneath his eye.
Mason Reed.
The fake agents displayed something that looked like official identification.
Mason stepped aside.
The men entered.
Olivia's mind raced.
They weren't there to rescue Rachel.
They were there to remove her.
Or kill her.
"Command, we have a possible imminent threat to the hostage. Request authorization for emergency intervention."
The response came quickly.
"Approved. Tactical team moving."
Olivia exited the vehicle.
Daniel caught her arm.
"Olivia, let the entry team handle it."
She looked toward the building.
"Rachel may not have time."
"We have trained people in position."
Olivia hesitated.
Then nodded.
"Fine. But I'm going with the command team."
Within moments, officers surrounded the building.
A loudspeaker crackled.
"Federal agents! Everyone inside, come out with your hands visible!"
For several seconds, nothing happened.
Then a gunshot echoed from inside.
Olivia's heart stopped.
Another shot followed.
Then a scream.
The tactical team moved.
Inside the building, Mason Reed stood between Rachel Whitmore and the three armed intruders.
One of the men lay wounded near the doorway.
Another had taken cover behind a cabinet.
The third pointed a pistol at Mason.
"Move away from her!"
Mason held a handgun with both hands.
His arms were trembling.
"No."
The man stepped forward.
"You don't understand what you're doing."
Mason's voice cracked.
"I understand perfectly."
Rachel crouched behind the table.
"Mason, don't!"
The armed man looked toward her.
"Rachel Whitmore, you're coming with us."
She shook her head.
"You're not federal agents."
He smiled coldly.
"Smart girl."
Outside, the sound of approaching footsteps grew louder.
The man glanced toward the hallway.
His expression changed.
He grabbed Rachel by the arm.
Mason raised his weapon.
"Let her go!"
"Put the gun down!"
"Let her go!"
The door burst open.
"FEDERAL AGENTS! DROP YOUR WEAPONS!"
The room erupted into shouted commands.
The intruder released Rachel.
Mason froze.
For a terrifying moment, he couldn't distinguish the real agents from the impostors.
"Drop the gun!" an agent shouted.
Rachel screamed.
"Mason! Put it down! They're real!"
His hands shook.
Then he slowly lowered the weapon to the floor.
Agents secured the room.
The surviving intruders were taken into custody.
Rachel collapsed against the wall.
Minutes later, Olivia entered after the scene was secured.
"Rachel?"
Rachel looked up.
"Agent Bennett?"
Olivia knelt beside her.
"You're safe now."
Rachel began crying.
"I thought they were going to kill me."
Olivia placed a hand on her shoulder.
"It's over. Medical personnel are coming."
Rachel grabbed her sleeve.
"No. It's not over."
"What do you mean?"
"The Architect sent them."
"Did he tell you that?"
Rachel nodded.
"And I know who he is."
Olivia felt her pulse quicken.
"Tell me."
Rachel swallowed.
"Adrian Vale."
Olivia exchanged a glance with Daniel.
"Are you certain?"
"I saw him. He came to the room. He threatened me."
"Can you identify him formally?"
"Yes."
Olivia nodded.
"Good. We'll document everything."
Rachel tightened her grip.
"There's something else."
"What?"
"Vale isn't working alone."
"We know he has associates."
Rachel shook her head.
"No. I mean someone above him."
Olivia stared at her.
"Above him?"
Rachel's voice dropped to a whisper.
"Vale takes orders from someone inside City Hall."
Olivia felt the investigation shift beneath her feet.
"Who?"
Rachel looked directly at her.
"Mayor Jonathan Whitlock."
The next morning, Olivia sat across from Rachel in a secure federal interview room.
Daniel operated the recording equipment.
Rachel had been examined by medical personnel and cleared to participate in a voluntary interview.
A victim-support specialist waited nearby.
Olivia began gently.
"Rachel, I want you to tell us everything you remember about Adrian Vale."
Rachel took a breath.
"He came to the building twice."
"What did he say?"