“Mr. Steel, I’m Special Agent Vance,” she said, shaking his hand. “We have the audio equipment ready.”

She opened the black case, revealing a thin, flexible wire transmitter.

“This will tape directly to your chest,” Vance explained. “The signal will feed directly to our van parked on Michigan Avenue.”

Ryker unbuttoned his white shirt without hesitation.

I turned my eyes away, looking out the window at the gray, overcast sky.

The rain was beginning to fall, streaking the glass in long, cold lines.

“The audio is clear,” the other agent said, testing the receiver.

Ryker buttoned his shirt back up and adjusted his dark gray tie.

He put on his charcoal wool overcoat.

“Tessa, you’re coming with me,” Ryker said.

“Me?” I asked, my voice shaking slightly.

“Voss will expect my attorney to be there to witness the signing,” Ryker said. “If you aren’t there, he will be suspicious.”

“I’ll go,” I said, straightening my blazer.

“You stay in the background,” Ryker warned. “Let me do the talking.”

“I understand,” I said.

We walked out to the garage, where a black SUV was idling.