The night stretched dark beyond Evelyn's windows, hours still to go before dawn brought whatever justice waited there. At 1:30 in the morning, Nia checked her tactical vest while Daniel loaded a backup weapon. The street lights cast long shadows across Evelyn's front yard. Too quiet. No cars, no dogs barking.
Even the news vans cleared out. " I don't like this," Evelyn said, gripping Tessa's shoulders. " You stay here with the evidence copies. No arguments. " " But Mom," Tessa clutched her laptop. "
Your mother's right," Daniel said, adjusting his earpiece. " If Cole's really flipping, we need you safe and monitoring communications. " Nia touched the family photo in her vest pocket. Her father in his dress uniform, smiling at her graduation. The same determination that had gotten her through the siege steadied her now. "
We'll meet Cole two blocks over. 10 minutes max. " " I've got neighbors watching every approach," Evelyn said. " First sign of trouble, we're calling everyone. " The night air felt thick, oppressive.
Nia's combat instincts screamed danger as she and Daniel moved down the shadowed sidewalk. No crickets chirping, no distant traffic. Wrong. The attack came without warning. Police SUVs shot out from three side streets, cutting off escape routes.
Deputies in tactical gear poured onto the block shouting, "Protective detention! " and "Stand down! " Their movements were too coordinated, too rehearsed. " Run! " Daniel shoved Nia toward a gap between houses.
A deputy tackled him from behind. Two more grabbed his arms. " Federal investigator. " Daniel struggled as they dragged him toward an unmarked van. " You have no authority! "
A hand clamped over his mouth. The van door slammed. Nia sprinted back toward Evelyn's house. More shouts erupted behind her, screams from the backyard. Through gaps in houses, she glimpsed shadows moving through Evelyn's garden. "
Mom! " Tessa's voice, sharp with terror. Nia changed direction, vaulting a fence, but she was too far. Through the darkness, she saw deputies forcing Tessa into a second vehicle. Her laptop scattered on the ground. "