"But we're contracted as a team," Izzy protested.
"The contract says Knight Tactical provides security," Ronan said, thinking it through. "Not that we arrive together. We can stagger arrivals. I’ll cite logistics."
"I'll handle the official communication," Maya offered. "Tellthem we're bringing equipment from different locations, need multiple vehicles."
"Good," Griff said. "We need to move carefully. They're watching for any change in pattern."
"Where's everyone now?" he asked.
"We’re all in Hope Landing," Ronan said. "We can be wheels up in an hour, right Iz?"
The petite Latina nodded. “Absolutely.”
Griff grunted. “Make a couple drops, say Nashville, Atlanta, a couple other metro areas within a couple days’ drive of Charleston and we’re golden. You can each arrive from a different point.”
"I get dibs on Nashville," Deke insisted. “No way I’m flying that close to BeeBee’s Barbecue without stopping in."
“Smart man,” Doc commented.
While the others planned their drop-off spots, Griff studied a map.
"Sarah and I leave at first light," he said.
Ronan and Axel nodded at each other over the cameras. “I’ll get Christian to arrange a safe house immediately,” Ronan said.
"I follow the day after in my own vehicle," Doc added. "I have resources you'll need—equipment, communications, things that can't travel with you officially."
"We stagger arrivals over the next seventy-two hours," Ronan decided. "No way they’ll locate the safe house, but they’ll be watching every traffic and surveillance camera surrounding Charleston. They’ll see at least a few of us heading into town. So we need to make it look like logistics, not tactics."
Griff thought for a minute before nodding. “Sounds good. That’ll give us another forty-eight to plan the mission.”
"I can arrange clean vehicles for backup transportation," Doc offered. "Things not tied to Knight Tactical."
"We'll need those," Ronan agreed. "Official vehicles for show, clean ones for reality."
"Radio check every six hours, beginning in the morning," Maya said. "Code phrase?"
"JFT. Justice for Tank," Deke suggested quietly.
Everyone nodded.
"Sarah's sending all the evidence," Griff said. "Study it during the drive. Know what we're walking into."
"This is insane," Kenji said.
"This is justice," Deke corrected. "For Tank."
A pause settled over the connection, heavy with the weight of what they were about to undertake.
"Before we go," Deke said, his deep voice gentle but firm, "we should pray."
Sarah's heart lifted. Someone else on this team of warriors shared her faith.
"Tank would want that," Deke continued.
Sarah saw various reactions across the screens—Ronan nodded immediately. Maya and Kenji bowed their heads. Izzy fidgeted but stilled. Beside her, Griff went rigid, his jaw tightening.
"Lord," Deke began, his voice carrying the confidence of deep faith, "we come before You seeking justice, not vengeance. Guide our steps. Give us wisdom to see through deception, courage to face danger, and strength to protect the innocent. Watch over us as we honor Tank's memory by finishing what he started."
