SPICK METRO
SPERTICK NOM
KROMIC SPET
PRISCOM TEK
K PERSCO TIM
P STORM KICE
TK.SPICER MO
‘That mongrel—’ The expletives rolled into one as Finn stalked to the whiteboard, grabbed a marker, and scrawled two words in big block capitals:
PRIME STOCK
Finn’s chest heaved, nearly driving his finger through the wall as he pointed at those letters.‘They’re all anagrams.Every single one of those company names spells the same thing—Prime Stock.’
It was another word game.
All those years of scribbling inside those damn word puzzle books, Finn saw Drew’s pattern—the man who loved those books and had introduced them to Finn, just like he’d done with Brodie only this morning.
But now the words felt like gravel tearing at his throat.‘Drew’s not hiding behind the names.He’s laughing at us.Right in our bloody faces.Every company name is just another way of saying what he’s stealing:Prime Stock.’
The anger coiled low in his gut, rising sharp behind his ribs at this insult.
He turned to face the team.The ones who’d followed him.Trusted him.And now he had to force the words out.‘I’m sorry.Not just for missing it, but for dragging you all into this.I thought I was building something good.Turns out I was handing Drew the tools instead.’
His jaw tightened as he looked each one of them in the eye.‘If you want to walk, I’ll understand.I won’t stop you… But right now, I need you.All of you.Because I know exactly how to bring that mongrel down.And this time, we take everything with him.’
As the silence stretched, he didn’t blame them for being cautious.If he were in their position, he’d have bolted for that door too.
Then footsteps.
Taryn crossed the room, stood beside him and faced the team.‘Having interviewed you all individually, I know you joined Finn because you believe in the mission.You stayed because you believe in the man… And you were right to.’
She gazed at Finn and somehow her voice softened.‘This is the guy who rebuilt his life, who took a broken system and used it to protect what matters.Who gave this town a team worth trusting.So, if he’s standing, I’m standing.And I’ll do whatever it takes to help this team, and you, Finn.’
Finn didn’t speak.Couldn’t.Not with that knot in his throat.
Amara was already pushing her coffee aside with a determined nod, lighting up her trusty tablet.‘Ready when you are, sir.’
Porter leaned back in his chair with a nod.‘The Hellhound is fully fuelled to stir up the dust.’
Craig cracked his knuckles, lips twitching into a half-smile.‘Point the way, Finn, you know I’ll always have your back, mate.’
‘You’ll need someone to make this work legal, if you’re going to take this prick down,’ said Izzy, dragging over all of Taryn’s paperwork.‘I want him to pay for what he did to Meghan.’
Taryn nodded at Izzy
Stone muttered, ‘You know me, I’m always up to party, Bossman.’
Romy nodded, squirming in her seat as if full of nervous energy.‘Tell me what I’m shooting at—’
They all looked at her.
‘With my cameras, obviously.’She shrugged, sheepishly.‘But I’ll fly whatever drone you need to make it happen.’
