"Right." He stood too, gathering papers unnecessarily. "Big day tomorrow."
They walked down the hall toward their rooms, careful not to touch in the narrow space. At her door, Izzy paused, not quite ready to be alone with her thoughts.
"That thing you did," she said, not looking at him. "Before answering the phone."
She felt him go still behind her.
"The prayer thing." She turned, meeting his surprised gaze. "It was... nice. Natural. Like breathing for you."
"It is," he said simply. "Always has been."
"I used to pray." The admission surprised her. "Before. When things made sense. Haven't in a while."
"It's never too late to start again."
"Maybe." She opened her door, needing to escape before this conversation went deeper.
She closed the door and leaned against it, heart doing complicated things in her chest. Through the wall, she heard him moving in his own room, getting ready for bed. Such a domestic sound. Such a dangerous comfort.
24
Nevada.Utah. Idaho.
Three states spread across Izzy's monitors that afternoon, pattern analysis software highlighting similarities she wished she couldn't see. Seven med-evac companies, all forced to sell to MedFlight after mysterious mechanical failures.
Her eyes burned as she stared at the third screen. "This isn't just about Mountain Angel," she said, voice rough from hours of silence.
Cory looked up from his own screen where he'd been reviewing inspection reports. "How many?"
"Seven companies in three years. All small, community-funded operations. All experienced maintenance issues that led to bankruptcy or forced sales." She pulled up the comparison charts. "Look at the tool marks. Same angles, same pressure points."
"Whoever coached Brad’s been busy."
The proximity alarm chimed, interrupting her before she could respond. The security monitor showed two familiar figures in dark suits striding toward the huge hangar’s man-door.
"FBI's back," Cory said, already standing. "They don't look happy."
That was an understatement. When Izzy headed down to let them in, Debartolo and Preston entered like storm clouds, faces set in expressions that made her stomach drop.
Debartolo didn't bother with pleasantries."Ms. Reyes, this is a courtesy call to inform you that we've obtained a federal warrant to freeze your assets pending investigation."
The words hit like physical blows. "What?"
Preston dangled official-looking papers with obvious satisfaction. "All bank accounts, investment accounts, and liquid assets are hereby frozen pursuant to federal conspiracy charges."
"Conspiracy?" Izzy's voice cracked. "I haven't conspired with anyone."
"Really?" Debartolo's smile was sharp. "Because we found something interesting at Brad Houzer's residence. A Visa gift card receipt. Five thousand dollars."
Her heart hammered against her ribs. The receipt she'd photographed. Of course they'd found it.
"Funny thing," Preston continued, circling like a shark. "You were at his cabin before our team. Find anything else you'd like to share?"
"We were following a lead," Cory interjected. "Which we reported immediately."
Izzy forced herself to stay calm. They were fishing. They had to be.
"How am I supposed to live?" The practical reality crashed over her. "Pay for lawyers? Fight the custody case?"
