Chapter 43

Waking from nightmares, Cassie reflects on stress, her attachments, and Agent Sterling’s warning that she feels too deeply. Her thoughts fixate on the planned coffee-shop abduction and how victim selection had worked among Redding’s apprentices: Clark chose Emerson, Christopher chose his mother, and someone else may have chosen the coffee-shop girl.

Cassie visits Agent Sterling, unable to sleep. They review the girl’s online contact and Cassie argues Christopher may not have selected her, implying a third apprentice. Cassie probes whether any evidence ties Christopher to Emerson’s murder, pressing the possibility of another killer operating alongside them.

Director Sterling calls: Christopher Simms has been found dead in his cell, an apparent hanging. Agent Sterling bristles, suspecting foul play and refusing to treat the case as closed. She gears up to investigate immediately despite the hour, intent on pursuing the lead that a third UNSUB exists.

In the driveway, Cassie pushes Sterling to alert Briggs. Before Sterling can act, an assailant seizes Cassie from behind at gunpoint. Sterling negotiates, offering herself if the attacker spares Cassie and sticks to “the plan,” aiming to keep Cassie from seeing the assailant’s face to protect the pursuit.

Defying that, Cassie turns and identifies the attacker: Webber, the antagonistic prison guard. The realization connects how Redding learned about Cassie and how Simms could be killed inside. Webber strikes; Cassie blacks out as Sterling is taken, confirming the third apprentice and escalating the threat.