One of the tech specialists moved forward, plugging in a device to capture the data. "Got it. Copying now."
Kraslov finally broke his silence. "You have no authority. This is a diplomatic residence. You're committing a federal offense."
Walker smiled without humor, then moved forward and jammed his fist into the man’s gut. "Tell it to the judge. I'm sure they'll be very interested in your explanations for the deaths of Robert Star and Frank Clark, among others."
The color drained from Kraslov's face. "You have nothing," he choked out.
"We have everything," Walker corrected. "Including your recent communications with Alpine Holdings—your shadow operation funneling technology to the highest bidders."
Outside, sirens became audible in the distance.
"Time to go," Walker instructed his team. "Package secured."
They moved efficiently, escorting their prisoners through the house toward their extraction point.
As they reached the rear gardens, a black SUV pulled up, Reed at the wheel.
"Local authorities two minutes out," he reported as they loaded Kraslov and Thomas into the vehicle. "Second team will handle them. We need to move."
Walker climbed in beside his brother as the rest of the tactical team dispersed according to plan. Within moments, they were driving away from the estate, leaving behind a carefully orchestrated scene for local police to discover—one that would trigger the proper federal protocols without compromising their operation.
"Did we get everything?" Walker asked as they drove.
Reed nodded. "The data from his computer confirms the financial connections. Combined with what Sabrina found, we have enough to bury him."
Walker glanced at Kraslov in the rearview mirror. The man who had orchestrated so much death, who had torn apart their families, looked smaller somehow—just a man, not the shadow that had haunted them for years.
"Take us back," Walker said quietly.
The drive back to the airfield where their helicopter waited was tense but uneventful. Walker's thoughts kept returning to Sabrina, waiting at the safe house, unaware yet that they had succeeded.
As they boarded the helicopter, Reed secured their prisoners while Walker made the call he'd been waiting to make.
"It's done," he told Henry when the call connected. "We have them both. Tell Sabrina we're coming back."
Henry's reply was lost in the roar of the helicopter's engines spinning up, but the relief in his voice had been clear.
They were airborne within minutes, flying back toward the Canadian border. Walker kept his attention on their prisoners,particularly Thomas, whose calculating eyes suggested he hadn't given up looking for an escape.
"You know it won't end with us," Thomas said suddenly, his voice pitched just loud enough for Walker to hear over the helicopter noise. "The Shepherd has contingencies you haven't even imagined."
Walker leaned closer, eyes cold. "Kraslov is the Shepherd. Game over."
Thomas's smile chilled Walker's blood. "Is that what you think?"
Before Walker could respond, the helicopter lurched violently. Warning lights flashed on the control panel as the pilot fought to maintain stability.
"What's happening?" Reed demanded.
"Engine failure!" the pilot shouted back. "We're losing altitude!"
Walker's training kicked in instantly. "Brace for impact!"
He secured his harness, checked that their prisoners were restrained, and mentally mapped their position. They were over forested terrain, maybe fifteen miles from the border.
The helicopter's descent accelerated, the ground rushing up through the darkness. Walker's last conscious thought before impact was of Sabrina—her smile, her touch, the promise in her eyes when he'd left.
The crash came with shattering force. Metal screamed against wood as the helicopter tore through the forest canopy. Walker felt the brutal jolt of impact, then nothing.
