“Step to the left. Slowly.”

He complied, his boots sliding on the oil-slicked concrete.

A door opened at the top of the metal staircase.

Vanessa emerged.

She wasn’t looking at me.

She was holding Lily in front of her like a shield.

Vanessa’s left arm was wrapped tightly around Lily’s chest, hoisting the child slightly off the ground.

Her right hand held the Sig Sauer pressed against Lily’s temple.

Lily’s legs dangled, her small winter boots kicking weakly in the air.

She didn’t make a sound, but her eyes locked onto mine.

They were filled with a desperate pleading that tore at my chest.

“Drop the gun, Evelyn,” Vanessa yelled down from the landing.

“Or I’ll paint this wall with her.”

I didn’t lower my weapon.

“It’s over, Vanessa,” I said, keeping my voice level.

“The perimeter is sealed.”

“Your pilot isn’t going anywhere.”

Vanessa laughed, a harsh, grating sound that echoed off the metal roof.

“You always did think you were the smartest agent in the bureau,” she said.

“But you forgot who trained you.”

“You forgot Chicago.”

I kept my eyes on her face, analyzing her posture.