Then nothing. No dramatic last words. No revelation. Just the wet breathing stopping. Julian Montrose, Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI, corrupt official who destroyed careers and protected trafficking networks and murdered good agents, dies in the snow outside a hunting cabin he never should have found.
I should feel triumph. Should feel vindication. Years of hunting this bastard, gathering evidence, and I finally have justice for Tom and the agents who died in Stormwatch.
Instead I feel empty. Hollowed out. Because Montrose is right that this doesn't end with him. Somewhere higher up the chain are the people who funded his operation, who built the trafficking network he protected, who won't forgive his failure or mine.
"Cara." Finn's voice is weak. Thready. "Need to sit down."
I'm at his side in seconds, supporting his weight as he sags against me. The shoulder wound is bad. Bullet went clean through based on the exit wound soaking the back of his jacket. High placement that might have nicked the subclavian artery. If it did, he's got minutes before blood loss becomes critical.
"Stay with me." I ease him down to sitting position, already pulling off my outer layer to make a pressure bandage. "Help's coming. Zeke will be here any second."
"Montrose?"
"Dead."
"Good." Finn's eyes drift closed, then snap open with effort. "Files transmitted?"
"Yes. To everyone. The task force, oversight committees, media. It's done."
"Then we won." He manages something that might be a smile. "Told you I'm hard to kill."
The sound of engines carries through the forest. Multiple vehicles approaching fast. I keep pressure on Finn's wound with one hand while keeping my rifle ready with the other. Could be Zeke's team. Could be more hostiles. Could be legitimate federal agents who still think I'm a fugitive and Finn is harboring me.
Voices call out. "Cara! Finn! It's Zeke!"
Relief nearly buckles my knees. I lower the rifle as figures emerge from the forest. Zeke leading, rifle slung, hands visible.Behind him come Nate and Caleb from Glacier Hollow. And behind them, two people I don't recognize but who move with law enforcement bearing.
"Agent Brennan?" The woman has dark hair pulled back, wearing tactical gear under a winter jacket. "I'm Harlow Kane, head of the trafficking task force. This is Sheriff Rhys Blackwater from Whitewater Junction."
I stare at her. The head of the trafficking task force. Here, in person, with evidence that could clear my name or condemn me further. Behind her stands Rhys Blackwater, the sheriff who's been working these cases from the ground level in Whitewater Junction.
"The files," I manage. "Did you receive the transmission?"
"Yes. Our people have been reviewing them since they came in." Harlow's expression is carefully neutral. "Preliminary analysis supports your version of events. Julian Montrose appears to have orchestrated the botched Stormwatch op. The financial records alone are enough to start building a prosecution case."
"He's dead." I gesture toward Montrose's body. "Tried to eliminate witnesses after the files transmitted."
"We'll need full statements from both of you." Rhys moves toward Finn, medical kit already open. "But first we get Finn stabilized. Zeke, help me with this shoulder wound."
They work on Finn with professional efficiency while Harlow approaches me. "Agent Brennan, I need to ask. Are you armed with anything besides the rifle?"
I understand what she's doing. Establishing I'm not an immediate threat. Treating me like a cooperative witness instead of a fugitive. "Sidearm. Left hip."
"I'm going to need you to surrender your weapons pending the investigation. Standard protocol. You understand."
I do understand. Understand this is the moment where my fugitive status becomes real again, where the frame-up and the years of running catch up despite the evidence I've transmitted. Task force leaders don't let wanted suspects keep weapons just because they claim innocence.
But Harlow's tone suggests something different. Suggests maybe the files I sent changed the equation. Changed how the Bureau views me.
I hand over the rifle and sidearm without resistance. "Am I under arrest?"
"Not at this time. We have questions about Montrose's death, about the confrontation that occurred here, about your activities over the past three years. But the transmitted files provide significant exculpatory evidence regarding the Stormwatch operation." Harlow secures my weapons. "For now, you're a material witness in an ongoing investigation. That status may change pending review of all available evidence."
"Cara." Finn's voice cuts through the bureaucratic discussion. "Need you."
I'm at his side before Harlow can object. Rhys has the shoulder wound packed and bandaged, pressure dressing holding against the bleeding. But Finn is still pale, shocky, in serious condition.
"Helicopter's inbound," Rhys says. "We'll get him to Anchorage Medical."
