"Someone inside the bureau."
"Yeah. Someone high enough to authorize surveillance and issue warrants without oversight."
We leave him in the interview room and step into the corridor. Rhys's hands are clenched into fists. He's spent months hunting, and every answer shows how deep this runs.
"Haywood's not just protecting the trafficking network," Harlow says. "He's weaponized the FBI. Every cop, every federal agent in Alaska is now his asset. All he has to do is show them that warrant and they'll detain Sela legally."
"We need to move fast," Rhys says. "Get the evidence to someone who can act on it before Haywood consolidates his position."
"Who? If he's got allies high enough to authorize fake warrants, who do we trust?"
"Not many people left," Rhys says. "By-the-book routes take weeks. Internal Affairs, Inspector General, DOJ's Public Corruption Unit. Haywood will use that time to hunt Sela and bury evidence."
I head to the conference room, Rhys and Harlow following. Sela opens the door when I knock.
"What did you find out?"
Before I can answer, Rhys steps forward. "We got him to talk. Moore confirmed Haywood hired his team, showed them a federal warrant for your detention. Material witness."
"So it's official," Sela says. "Every cop in the state is looking for me."
"That's the situation," Rhys says. "Same playbook they’ve used before, I’m sure. Manufacture legal cover, then use the system to eliminate the threat."
Sela pauses while she considers. "What are our options?"
"We go around the system," Harlow says. "Find someone we can trust. Someone who'll move fast."
"Who?"
"Rebecca Macintosh. She's the victim advocate Jackie mentioned. She works closely with law enforcement on trafficking cases. She'll know who we can approach."
"And if she doesn't?" Sela asks.
"Then we leak everything to the press and force public exposure," Rhys says. "Make it impossible for Haywood to bury this."
Sela pauses while she considers. "That burns every bridge we have."
"Yeah," Rhys says. "But it keeps you alive. Emma didn't have that option. You do."
"Then do both. Contact Rebecca and prep the leak. Cover all our angles."
Harlow pulls out her phone. "I'll reach out to Rebecca Macintosh. She'll know who we can trust in Anchorage. I'll set up a meeting."
"Soon as possible," Rhys says. "We don't have much time before Haywood realizes we've got his contractor."
"Agreed." Harlow steps into the hallway to make the call.
The next stretch passes in coordination. Harlow reaches out to Rebecca Macintosh while Rhys and I handle Moore's formal detention processing and coordinate with the DA's office.
By the time we finish, Harlow has updates.
"Rebecca gave me a name. Agent Ruth Calder, Anchorage field office. Works trafficking cases, knows Rebecca's organization. Agreed to meet but warned me Haywood has allies high up. Career-ending risk for all of us."
"Set it up. Tomorrow morning. Private location," Rhys says.
"Done. Marc, be careful. If Calder's compromised, you're handing Haywood everything."
"I know. But we're out of options."
