Miles hesitated. “AI logistics. Predictive systems. And something tagged only asEcho Command.”
The name landed like a stone.
Aaron rubbed a hand over his face. “That was Reese’s original task group before he went off-book. A black AI project built for threat modeling. If Veridian tied it back into the defense network, it could automate response commands—military, infrastructure, law enforcement—everything.”
“Meaning one person could weaponize the country,” Julia said.
Miles nodded grimly. “Exactly.”
Boone let out a low whistle. “So Markham’s ‘next phase’ isn’t just data—it’s control.”
Aaron’s jaw tightened. “Then we cut it out before it spreads. Miles, get me access codes and an insertion route. Boone, you and Jace prep the transport. We leave within the hour.”
Boone, Logan pushed off the crate. “You got it.”
Aaron turned to me. “You’re point again, Hawk. Julia, you’re with him.”
She didn’t hesitate. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
When the others left, the hangar grew quieter. I sank onto a bench by the wall, my shoulders heavy. Julia poured what little coffee she had into a paper cup and handed it to me.
“You look like hell,” she said softly.
“Feels accurate.”
She smiled a little. “You always get this quiet before a mission?”
“Only when the stakes feel personal.”
Her gaze softened. “They always do for you, don’t they?”
“Maybe that’s the problem,” I said.
She studied me for a moment, then leaned her shoulder against mine, just enough for warmth to cut through thecold. “For what it’s worth,” she said, “if this thing in Missouri is half as bad as it sounds, I’m glad it’s you next to me.”
I turned my head. “That’s dangerous talk, Detective.”
She smiled without looking at me. “Everything we do is dangerous.”
Aaron’s voicebroke through over the intercom. “Load up. We move in five.”
Julia pushed off the bench, fastening her vest. “Guess that’s our cue.”
I stood, adjusting my gear, the weight of the rifle settling familiar against my back. “We’ll find him,” I said. I helped her load up. Then I kissed her. Her arms landed on my chest as she stood on her tiptoes and then pulled me down for more.
“I know,” she replied. “I’m just not sure what’s left when we do.”
Her words lingered as we walked toward the plane, engines already spinning up, wind whipping the hangar door open. The rain had stopped, but the sky was still heavy—like the world knew what was coming and was holding its breath.
28
Hawk
The hum of the transport’s engines settled into a steady drone, the kind that could almost trick you into calm if you didn’t know what waited at the other end.
Miles sat across from me, headset on, eyes flicking between his laptop screens. Boone dozed with his weapon across his chest. Julia sat at my side, studying the map glowing on her tablet. Her knee brushed mine every time the aircraft banked—a small, human reminder that we were still breathing.
Outside, dawn burned off the last of the storm, turning the clouds to gold. It should’ve been peaceful. It wasn’t.
