Cassie and Dean arrive at the safe house, which appears ordinary from the outside. Dean enters first with his gun drawn and clears the rooms while Cassie follows close behind, hoping the place is secure and that Briggs and Locke will soon arrive.

When the front door opens, Michael appears with a gun. Cassie is first relieved, then horrified, because Michael’s presence and weapon seem to fit the fear that the UNSUB has inside help. Dean raises his gun at Michael and orders him to put the weapon down, while Cassie struggles to believe that Michael could be dangerous.

Michael points his gun at Dean, explaining that Cassie, Dean, and one of Briggs’s guns were gone, so he followed out of fear for Cassie. Cassie realizes Michael is not the killer but a frightened, hurt boy trying to protect her. At Cassie’s pleading, Michael lowers his gun.

As soon as Michael lowers the weapon, two shots are fired. Michael is struck in the shoulder and leg and collapses. Cassie initially thinks Dean has fired, but then realizes Dean is aiming past her at the real shooter: Special Agent Lacey Locke.

The narration shifts to Locke’s perspective, revealing that Locke is the UNSUB. Locke has manipulated Dean, arranged for Cassie and Dean to leave unnoticed, guided them to the safe house, and groomed Cassie because she sees Cassie as Lorelai’s daughter and her “heart’s desire.” Locke is not afraid of Dean because she knows how to exploit him, and she is angry that Michael followed, deciding Cassie must be punished.