Kyle screamed as the bullet struck his shoulder, disabling his arm without risking Faith's life. She lurched forward as Kyle's grip released, her body propelled by both momentum and desperate self-preservation. Theo lunged forward, catching her before she hit the ground.
In one fluid motion, he pulled her away from Kyle and kicked the fallen service weapon well out of reach. Kyle collapsed to his knees, blood blooming dark against the fabric of his shirt.
The side door of the church burst open upon hearing gunfire, revealing Deputy Benz and Sheriff Donovan. They assessed the scene quickly, taking in Kyle's wounded form and the S&E team's defensive positions.
“Deputy Benz,” Brook called out, not lowering her weapon until she was certain the threat had been contained. “Secure the suspect and read him his rights.”
Deputy Benz reached for his handcuffs as he hastily approached Kyle, reciting the Miranda rights, while Sheriff Donovan collected the discarded firearm for evidence. He came to stand beside her while she holstered her weapon, explaining that backup was on the way, along with paramedics. The adrenaline that had sustained her was beginning to ebb, allowing the cold to penetrate deeper into her bones.
“I was wrong, Sloane,” Donovan admitted, observing as Deputy Benz helped Kyle to his feet. Sylvie had removed her scarf and was using it to stem the blood flow from his wound. “I didn't think your approach would work. Didn't think exposing the profile to the town would smoke him out.”
“At what cost, though?” Brook asked, not really expecting an answer. She turned away from the wind, both to preserve some body heat and to give herself the ability to monitor Benz and Sylvie escorting Kyle inside until the medics arrived. Theo had already led Faith into the church hall, but he would know to keep everyone separate. “I just exposed a monster in their midst, Sheriff. Going forward, trusting their neighbors won't come so easily. I’m sure you’ll be getting hundreds of calls requesting you check on the most innocent of actions.”
“Maybe. But sometimes the truth hurts before it heals,” Donovan said as the distant sound of sirens began to cut through the night. “We'll need to schedule a press conference for the morning. Get ahead of the rumors that are already spreading.”
“I'll have statements prepared.” The sirens were closer, but she was much more interested in contacting a local judge to prepare a warrant. Bit suddenly emerged from the church hall with her jacket in hand. “If you could submit for a warrant, Sheriff Donovan, I’ll gather my team to take statements. When you have the proper paperwork in hand, we’ll drive over to Wheat’s residence.”
“I take you’ll want a federal forensics team to process the scene?”
“Yes. Thanks, Bit,” Brook said as she took the jacket and immediately slipped her arms into the sleeves. She was grateful for the minimal protection against the relentless cold, even if she just had to walk a short distance. “Would you please start taking statements, beginning with Faith Wheat?”
“You got it, Boss.”
Bit jogged back to the side entrance, though she and Sheriff Donovan remained in place. He would undoubtedly direct the medics inside before briefly speaking with his deputies. She wanted to ensure that they understood not to enter Wheat’s residence until she was present.
“I read about what happened up in Alaska with your brother,” Sheriff Donovan said as they waited for the cruisers to come to a stop. He then raised a hand when she arched her brow in response. Now really wasn’t a good time to bring Jacob into the conversation. “I know, I know. I’d just like to point out that you trust your team, that much is obvious. And if you can learn to trust after…well, after what you’ve been through…let’s just say that I’m not worried about the folks of Harrowick rebuilding their sense of community.”
Brook remained silent as Sheriff Donovan turned his attention to the ambulance coming to a complete stop behind one of his deputies’ cruisers. When two paramedics approachedhim with bags in hand, he explained the situation and directed them to the side door of the church hall.
The sheriff seemed naïvely oblivious to how deeply the town had been subjected to Kyle Wheat's sins, just as she had been exposed to Jacob’s darkness for far too long. Her job had been to remove Kyle Wheat from their community, and she and the team had completed their assignment.
But now, it was time for her to concentrate on shifting the personal balance of power.
Jacob was out there, waiting in the darkness, planning his approach until the moment was right. He wanted nothing more now than to carve away her very identity, to rip the flesh from her face as if erasing her existence.
Brook slipped her hands into the pockets of her jacket, gently pressing her palms against her abdomen. She didn’t need a test to confirm she was pregnant with Graham’s child. The signs had been there for a few weeks. Her sudden craving for sugar, the oddest moments of nausea, the tenderness of her breasts…
The victory of severing ties with Jacob was no longer just about her own survival, and she would move heaven and earth to ensure her child’s safety.
32
Jacob Walsh
February 2026
Friday — 8:31am
The winter wind sliced through two layers of clothing. Yet after enduring the frigid grip of Alaska for months, the cold in D.C. was practically insignificant. It was merely an inconsequential discomfort, easily ignored amidst his current objective.
Jacob's injured leg throbbed with muted persistence as he shifted his weight against a concrete pillar inside the open parking lot. The dull pain radiated upward from his ankle to his hip, a constant reminder that everything he’d thought before Alaska had been inaccurate.
He had his sister to thank for his newfound acceptance.
He’d gone through life believing that he couldn’t exist without her. That his role was to open her eyes to the truth—they were one and the same. But she had exposed her true self during their time together last year.
The departure of a male subject wearing a suit and a long, black coat, with a matching scarf and gloves, drew Jacob’s attention. He’d been monitoring the front entrance of his sister’s condominium building for the past sixteen minutes, enough time to observe the morning routine but not long enough to arouse suspicion.
A camera blind zone at the back of the parking lot was just enough for him to go unseen. He would have to take a back alley from his location to reach his destination, even though it was logistically unnecessary compared to the shorter route. He had fortunately come into possession of some pain medication recently, but he would only use the pills when absolutely necessary.
