Reno snorts. “Trust you to notice that.”
“What? I’ve got eyes, don’t I?” Brick hands the phone back, still wearing that half-smile. “Alright, Prez. I’ll babysit your mystery girl. She runs, I’ll follow. She meets with anyone suspicious, you’ll know about it.”
“And if she is a plant?”
The smile fades, a cold grin takes its place.
“I’ll handle it.”
I nod. “Good. But Brick—don’t underestimate her. She took out a full-grown man with a bedpan. Whatever else she is, she’s not helpless.”
“Noted.” He pushes off the wall, rolling his shoulders. “Where is she now?”
“Guest room, second floor. Tried to rabbit three times. Tank and the prospects have been running interference, but we can’t keep that up forever.”
“I’ll find a position. Keep eyes on her without spooking her.” He heads for the door, then pauses. “Stone. What if she’s not a plant? What if she’s just... someone in trouble?”
I think about Josie’s words.She’s not scared for herself. She’s scared for someone else.
“I owe her a debt for saving Josie. But we need to know which side she’s on.”
Brick nods once and leaves.
I turn back to the others. “Reno, Dawson—you’re on rotation for Josie’s protection detail. She’s in the guest room upstairs. No one gets to her without going through you first.”
“Got it.”
“Cal, I need you on surveillance support. Bones is running point—he’ll get you up to speed on what we’re tracking.”
“Done.”
“Any questions?”
Heads shake.
“Then let’s get to work.”
The rest of the day is consumed with logistics—coordinating the new arrivals, updating patrol schedules, checking in with Bones about his latest intel on Summit’s operations.
Around 4 PM, my phone buzzes.
Brick
She’s getting antsy. Pacing her room. Won’t be long now.
I type back.
Stone
Stay on her. Let me know if she moves.
Brick
Copy.
I stare at the phone for a moment, wondering what Isabel is planning—and whether we’ll like the answer when we find it.
Josie finds me in the hallway an hour later, moving slowly but stubbornly under her own power.
