"So are the women we're trying to protect," Cara says. "They need someone who understands their situation. Someone whoisn't law enforcement. Sela's right. As a nurse, she can build rapport in ways we can't."
My gut still says it's too dangerous. My training says don't put civilians in operational roles. But the playbook didn't work for Emma. Didn't work for Lisa Reynolds. Hasn't stopped Haywood from running trafficking operations for years.
I look at Sela. She meets my eyes without flinching. Waiting for my answer but not backing down. She's made her decision and nothing I say will change it. I can either work with her on this or watch her do it anyway without proper support.
At least if I'm involved, I can set up protocols. Ensure she has backup. Minimize the risk even if I can't eliminate it.
"If you do this," I say to her, "we do it my way. Secure protocols. Backup at every meeting. You don't take any risks I haven't cleared first."
"Agreed," she says.
Relief flashes across her face. She was ready to fight harder if she had to, but she's smart enough to accept the compromise.
Finn refills our mugs. "So we're doing this. Building a case against a federal agent with survivor testimony and Emma's evidence."
"Yes," Cara says.
"And when we have enough, we take it to who exactly?" Finn asks. "The FBI's compromised. We can't trust anyone in the bureau until we know who else Haywood owns."
"Department of Justice," I say. "Public corruption unit. Bypass the FBI entirely. I've got some old contacts there from my CID days."
"Will they listen?" Sela asks.
"If the evidence is solid enough, they have to." I look at Cara. "Can you put together a complete package? Everything Emma documented plus any new testimony we get?"
"Already working on it."
"Good." I stand. The weight of what we're about to do settles over me. Going after a federal agent with resources and connections. Putting Sela in contact with victims who might panic and run. Building a case that has to be airtight because we'll only get one shot at this. "Rhys and Harlow will be here soon. We'll need their help coordinating. And we need to move fast. Every day we wait, Haywood consolidates his position. Finds more contractors. Covers more tracks."
Sela stands too. "So who do we start with?"
9
SELA
Jackie Nielsen.
That's the answer to Marc's question. Emma's files contained detailed notes on several survivors who escaped the trafficking network. Jackie was the first. The one Emma helped before she was killed. The one who trusted a nurse enough to tell her story.
Harlow spent yesterday making contact through an intermediary—a social worker Jackie knows from the women's shelter system. Cautious approach. No mention of law enforcement. Just a nurse following up on Emma's work, wanting to make sure Jackie got the support she needed.
Jackie agreed to meet. Neutral location. Public place. Noon.
Clearwater's less than an hour from Glacier Hollow, a mid-sized town with enough traffic that two women having coffee won't draw attention. Marc mapped three different routes, identified backup positions, tested the encrypted recording app on my phone twice to make sure it works.
Now I'm sitting in a booth at the back of a diner that smells like burned coffee and fry grease, waiting for a woman who has every reason not to trust anyone connected to law enforcement.
My coffee's gone lukewarm. The Glock pressed against my lower back under my jacket is a constant reminder that this isn't a conversation. It's an op. And ops can go sideways fast.
Through the window, I can see Marc's truck in the parking lot. Far enough away not to spook Jackie, close enough to respond if things go wrong. We went over the protocols multiple times this morning. Secure communication. Encrypted files. Backup plans if Jackie gets spooked or if Haywood's people show up.
Everything that makes Marc feel like he's keeping me safe. But we both know the moment I make contact with one of Haywood's victims, I become an even bigger threat.
My phone buzzes. Text from an unknown number.
I'm here. Blue sedan. Are you alone?
I type back.
