"Don't." I step into view, rifle raised. "You're outgunned."
The lead contractor—older, scarred, moves like former special forces—raises his hands slowly. Another one, visible, follows.
"Just here to talk," he says.
"Talk doesn't need guns and night approaches."
"Our client wants his property back."
"Evidence of federal crimes doesn't belong to the criminal." I step closer, keeping my rifle trained center mass. "Who sent you?"
"We take contracts, not names."
"Convenient." Rhys positions himself on the flank. "Who cleared this hit? Someone had to authorize going after a federal agent."
The contractor's expression goes blank, a professional mask sliding into place. "We take orders, don't ask where they come from."
"It must be nice," I say. "Not having to think about the trafficking victims you're protecting."
His jaw tightens. Brief, but enough to confirm he knows exactly what operation he's defending.
"You've got a deadline," he says. "After that, we stop being polite."
"We'll keep that in mind."
They disappear into the darkness. Finn confirms they're clear of the perimeter before I lower my rifle.
Inside the cabin, Calder's recording, uploading encrypted files. "Got it. Video, audio, the full encounter. Proof that Haywood's using contractors to intimidate federal law enforcement."
"Is that enough?" Sela asks.
"Evidence of intimidation, but they never said Haywood's name. No direct connection." Calder's fingers fly across her keyboard. "And these guys won't flip. Too experienced, too insulated."
"Then what do we need?"
Calder looks up. "We need a target Haywood can't resist. Someone he has to eliminate immediately before they testify."
"Jackie Nielsen," I say.
"She's the only living witness who can connect Haywood directly to the operation." Calder pulls up files. "Rebecca Macintosh has her in a safe location, but she's not in official protective custody. We bring her in, announce she's preparing to testify?—"
"Haywood has to stop her," Finn finishes. "Immediately."
"And when he does, we document it. One direct order to eliminate a witness. That's all DOJ needs."
"You're talking about using a trauma victim as bait," Sela says quietly.
"I'm talking about ending this before more victims die." Calder meets her gaze. "Jackie's already a target. Has been since Emma died. This way, she's protected and monitored. When Haywood makes his move, we're ready."
Sela looks at me. Brow furrowed, mouth tight as she thinks it through.
"Jackie gets a choice," I say. "We explain the risks, the reality. She decides."
"And if she says no?" Sela asks.
"Then we find another way." But we all know there isn't another way. Not one that works in time.
The weight of it settles over the cabin. We're asking a woman who's already been through hell to put herself in the crosshairs. To trust us to be fast enough, smart enough, prepared enough to keep her alive when a corrupt federal agent comes for her.
