“He’s not destroying evidence for fun. He’s running a service. Wealthy clients facing serious charges hire him to make the evidence disappear instead of fighting it in court.”
“What’s his rate?” Theo asked. “Asking for a friend.”
Lincoln ignored the chuckles and switched to the Denver location intel. “This is where Randall is meeting his next clients in just over twelve hours.”
The image showed an abandoned industrial building on the outskirts of Denver—weathered brick, boarded windows, the kind of place that looked forgotten. “We found data that he’s handing off some stolen evidence—letting the clients decide what to do with it. The warehouse is neutral ground. Not connected to any of Randall’s shell companies, not on any radar. He uses it specifically because it’s deniable.”
“How’d you find it?” Bear leaned forward.
“The facility codes Morgan remembered included logistics data—dates, times, locations for client handoffs. This address appeared multiple times.” Lincoln highlighted the building schematics he’d pulled from old permit records. “He doesn’t bring his full operation here. Just himself and maybe one or two people. Keeps it clean, keeps it professional.”
“So he’ll be exposed,” Callum said slowly. “Minimal security.”
“Exactly. This is the best chance to stop his organization cold, before he realizes anyone is onto him.”
“What’s our play?” Derek asked.
“We get there early, set up inside before Randall arrives. When he shows for the meeting, we take him.” Lincoln indicated entry points on the schematic. “Primary team enters here, secures the main floor. Secondary team covers this exit in case he runs. The clients are not of primary importance—we can deal with them later. What’s important is making sure Randall doesn’t escape. He’ll be hunting for Morgan as long as he’s free.”
“Why not just call the feds?” Derek asked. “Anonymous tip, let them handle it?”
“Three reasons. First, Morgan is still on their most wanted list. We show up with this intel, they ask how we got it, and suddenly, she’s in custody instead of Randall.” Lincoln pulled up the next display. “Second, we don’t know who Randall has inside the agencies. Tip off the wrong person, and Randall gets a warning instead of a welcome party.”
“And third?” Theo asked.
“Third, no one’s going to believe us without proof. A fugitive and her boyfriend claiming some shadow operation is destroying federal evidence?” Lincoln shook his head. “Randall has the evidence that clears Morgan—records of the actual hackers, proof she was coerced, documentation of his operation. We need that.”
“So we get the proof and wrap the bad guy up in a pretty little bow to hand over to the feds,” Bear summarized.
“This is our only chance. Randall doesn’t know who I am. Doesn’t know Morgan is with me. Doesn’t know we’ve cracked his system. We hit him fast, we hit him hard, and it’s over before he understands what’s happening.”
Bear shifted in his chair. “Speaking of Morgan—she staying here?”
Lincoln glanced at her. She was already shaking her head.
“I’m part of the team,” she said. Not a question.
Bear looked over at her. “I don’t mean any offense, but are you sure that’s a good idea?”
Lincoln wasn’t going to leave Morgan behind, not if she wanted to come. She was the one who had lost the most and whose life was currently in shambles because of Randall.
“She knows the operation better than any of us. She was inside it.” Lincoln kept his focus on Morgan. “If she sees something—recognizes Randall’s people, identifies anyone from her captivity—that matters. And when we have Randall, she can verify whatever he tells us. Her memory is the one thing he can’t lie around.”
“She’s also the person Randall’s looking for,” Derek pointed out. “If something goes sideways, she’s a liability.”
“Nothing’s going sideways. Randall thinks this is a routine client meeting. He’ll have minimal security—one, maybe two people. We’ll have five tactically trained men, plus the element of surprise.”
“You’ve accounted for everything,” Theo said. It wasn’t quite a question.
“Yes.”
“Every variable.”
“Yes.”
Theo and Bear exchanged a look. The kind of look that said they’d known Lincoln long enough to recognize when he was in full control-freak mode.
“What?” Lincoln asked.
