My men are monitoring every move she makes. The minute she accesses the evidence, we'll know. " " See that you do. " Bryce replied. " I've invested too much in this pipeline to let it collapse now.
The buyers expect regular shipments and our law enforcement partners require their cut. " Nia's hand tightened on the microphone as the pieces clicked together. Her father's investigation hadn't died. The weapons technology theft network had simply evolved using police departments as cover for moving classified material. " The county systems will be frozen by federal oversight within days," Larkin said. "
We need to move fast and stop talking and find that drive," Bryce snapped. " Use whatever resources necessary. " " If she's anything like her father, she'll try to expose everything. " A car engine rumbled in the distance. Daniel tensed. "
We need to move now. " Patrol lights suddenly flashed at both ends of the street, casting strobing red and blue across the warehouse walls. Nia quickly packed the microphone while Tessa secured her camera. " Back route," Daniel whispered urgently. " Through the alley. "
They slipped between buildings as radio static crackled behind them. The timing was too perfect. Someone had spotted them and called it in. Nia thought of Lieutenant Cole's convenient tip and felt sick. The betrayal shouldn't have surprised her, but it did.
They emerged onto a parallel street where Daniel had parked their backup vehicle. As they pulled away, more police units converged on the warehouse. The night felt alive with predatory energy. " Someone was waiting for us to take the bait," Daniel said, checking the mirrors constantly as they drove. " Cole played us perfectly. " "
The whole thing was staged," Nia agreed. " They wanted to confirm we had evidence worth burning. " Tessa reviewed the footage on her camera's screen. " At least we got what we came for. " " Bryce admitted to the weapons pipeline and Larkin it won't matter if we don't make it back," Daniel cut in, taking another turn to shake any potential tails.
Nia watched familiar houses blur past, each darkened window now a potential surveillance point. How many neighbors had been pressured or paid to report her movements? The thought of that invisible net closing around her family made her skin crawl. They turned onto Evelyn's street just before midnight. Orange light painted the clouds ahead and Nia's heart dropped.
Flames licked skyward from Mrs. Chen's detached garage, the same neighbor who'd been threatened earlier that day. Firetrucks hadn't arrived yet. Several witnesses from their protection network were already running with garden hoses, but the blaze had too much of a head start. The message was clear. Cooperation would be punished.
Mrs. Chen stood on her front lawn in a bathrobe, hands pressed to her mouth as she watched her garage burn. Her teenage son held her shoulders, his face rigid with anger. The air stank of accelerant. This was no accident. Nia stepped out of the car and Mrs. Chen's eyes met hers across the yard.