"He's desperate," Lena said, examining Ashford's photograph. He was an ordinary-looking man—gray hair, professional demeanor, the face of city council meetings. She'd learned not to trust appearances. "Six fires, two deaths, and we've been closing in for weeks. He knows this is his last stand."
"Which is why we're not underestimating him," McKenna said. "We’ll have tactical support from departments, coordinated communication, and a staged approach. No one goes in alone, no one takes unnecessary risks."
Erin reached for Julia's prepared timeline. "Fire assessment first, then police action?"
"Exactly." Julia's pen moved steadily. "Fire Marshal Vance clears the scene, then Detective Soto leads the arrest with tactical backup. Departments maintain radio contact throughout."
"What if he's not there?" Hallie asked.
"Then we secure the scene and wait," Lena said. "But I don't think he's running. This whole campaign has been about making a statement. If he runs now, he doesn't get to finish what he started."
Silence settled over the table. Outside, gray light crept across the desert landscape surrounding Phoenix Ridge.
"Any questions?" Julia asked.
Erin looked up from the tactical plan. "What are the communication protocols if we need to separate?"
"We’ll have individual radio channels for all key personnel," Hallie answered. "Fire department frequency for technical coordination, police frequency for operational updates. Everyone stays connected."
"Rules of engagement?" Lena asked.
"Standard protocols apply," Julia said. "De-escalation preferred, but officer safety takes priority. He's demonstrated he's willing to kill. We respond accordingly."
Lena met Erin's eyes across the table, seeing her own determination reflected there. Weeks of work had led to this moment—identifying patterns, connecting evidence, building a case that would hold up in court—and now it came down to execution.
"Equipment check," Julia announced.
Lena verified her radio, checked her service weapon, and confirmed her tactical vest was properly secured. Around the table, the others went through their own preparations with methodical precision. But tension crackled beneath the routine, and everyone knew that Ashford wouldn't be taken easily.
"Fire Marshal," McKenna said as they prepared to leave. "I know Detective Soto is leading the arrest, but your scene assessment is critical. Don't compromise your safety for speed."
"Understood," Erin replied. "I'll assess thoroughly but efficiently. If there's immediate danger, everyone evacuates until we can mitigate it."
"And Detective," Hallie added, "trust her expertise. Fire science isn't intuitive. When she says something's dangerous, it's dangerous."
Lena nodded, remembering their conversation at the cabin about trust and partnership. "I trust her completely."
Julia's mouth curved slightly, and Lena caught the approval in her expression.
"Departure in ten minutes," Julia announced, standing. "Team leaders, coordinate final equipment checks. Radio check at zero-six-hundred hours."
As the others filed out to prepare their vehicles, Lena and Erin remained at the table, architectural plans spread between them like a map of what was coming.
"Are you ready for this?" Lena asked quietly.
Erin's hand found hers briefly across the table. "We've been ready. We solved this case together, and now we’ll finish it together."
"Together," Lena agreed, squeezing Erin's fingers before releasing them.
They stood and gathered their equipment, moving with synchronized efficiency. Outside, vehicles started up and radio chatter filled the morning air.
In thirty minutes, they'd be at Ashford's property. In an hour, this case would be over and Richard Ashford would be in custody.
At least, that was the plan.
As Lena loaded her gear into the police cruiser, unease prickled at the back of her neck. Not because of their preparation; that had been thorough. It wasn’t because of their coordination either; both departments were working seamlessly together.
The unease came from something else entirely: the recognition that they were dealing with someone who'd already demonstrated he was willing to die for his cause. And people like that didn't surrender quietly. She pushed the thought aside and focused on Julia's radio check.
