Hunter and Rink go to a large shopping mall that Mercer chose because its exits, cameras, security, and crowds make an ambush risky for everyone. They arrive early, scout escape routes, and watch for police or counter-surveillance because they fear Mercer might have set a trap after the shooting at Sue Carter’s house. Mercer also arrives early, visibly exhausted and tense, and approaches while pretending to conceal a weapon in a folded magazine.

Mercer tests Hunter and Rink’s intentions with threats, but he does not attack. When Hunter leads him toward Rink, Mercer seems close to acting on his long-held desire for revenge over Rink having shot him in the past. Two small girls run between Mercer and Rink, and Mercer’s anger visibly softens, showing that he will not risk innocent bystanders to settle the score.

Once seated beside Rink, Mercer demands an apology. Rink refuses to accept sole blame, saying he pulled the trigger under orders and that Mercer’s real grievance belongs with those who gave the command. Mercer admits he has dreamed for years of killing Rink in return, but Rink argues that if Mercer truly meant to shoot him, he would already have done it, and insists they must focus on saving Sue.

Hunter pushes for a decision and tells Mercer to hear the plan. Mercer reveals the magazine bluff and says he was armed, but wanted to see whether Hunter and Rink would reach for their guns. Hunter then reminds Mercer of the larger situation: Sue has been taken by Vince, and Walter Hayes Conrad may still be able to reach Vince even if he no longer controls him directly.

Mercer agrees to cooperate for Sue’s sake, but asks for assurance that Hunter and Rink will not sacrifice him once Sue is recovered. Hunter promises to protect Mercer as fiercely as Sue, while Rink bluntly says that if he wanted Mercer dead, he would not need Vince to do it. The harsh honesty unexpectedly breaks the tension, and all three men laugh, releasing years of bitterness and immediate anxiety.

After the laughter fades, Mercer asks how they will proceed. Rink says they need to leave the mall for somewhere private so Hunter can call Walter Hayes Conrad, because Vince now controls the situation. Hunter answers that Vince may hold the cards, but not all the aces, confirming that Mercer has joined them for the next stage of trying to save Sue.