His assessment isn't wrong. The club's connection to this case—particularly through Cara—creates urgency that bureaucratic processes can't match. Still, the decision to assist a high-ranking Reaper in escaping justice carries significant moral and practical complications.
"I need to discuss terms with club leadership," I tell him, standing to signal the interrogation's pause. "Your information will be verified first."
"Don't take too long," Griffin advises, his expression darkening. "Those elimination protocols are already active. Clock's ticking for your witnesses."
As I exit the interrogation room, the weight of what I've learned settles across my shoulders. The trafficking network we've been fighting extends far beyond Hargrove and the Reapers. Our current approach—building a federal case against local operations—suddenly seems woefully inadequate against the scope of the larger organization.
"The SD card checks out," Ice Pick confirms, displaying complex financial records on his laptop screen. "Account numbers, transaction histories, contact protocols—all consistent with information we've already verified through other sources. But much more extensive."
Four hours after Griffin's initial revelations, club leadership has convened in the mining office's secure meeting room. Vulture, Ghost, Ice Pick, and Osprey review the intelligence while Griffin remains isolated in the interrogation room.
"What about his claims regarding the international network?" Vulture asks, his expression betraying nothing of his thoughts.
"Consistent with patterns we've observed," Ghost replies. "The operational structure he described matches intelligence from our contacts in Europe and Asia. Multiple MC chapters globally have reported similar trafficking methods, security protocols, and financial arrangements."
"And the threat assessment against our witnesses?" This question comes from Vulture, but his eyes meet mine, acknowledging my personal stake in the answer.
Ice Pick grimaces. "Verified through back channels. Federal building security recently hired three new contractors with connections to shell companies linked to Hargrove's operation. And surveillance photos of the safe house property match what our own security team has documented."
The confirmation sends ice through my veins. Cara's safety—along with Miranda and the other witnesses—faces more immediate threat than we realized.
"Options," Vulture says simply, looking to each officer for assessment.
"We have two distinct approaches," I begin, having spent the intervening hours analyzing potential responses. "Option one: Continue with the current federal case against Hargrove and local operations. Increase security around witnesses, accept the limited scope of justice, and effectively take the win we've earned."
"And option two?" Osprey prompts.
"Expand our focus to the international network. Use Griffin's intelligence to target the Vancouver hub and potentially disrupt the entire West Coast trafficking operation." I meet each brother's eyes in turn. "Higher risk, bigger potential impact, but significantly more dangerous for the club."
"Resources required for option two?" Vulture asks practically.
"Substantial," Ghost acknowledges. "We'd need to commit most of our manpower, financial reserves, and call in favors from allied chapters. Vancouver operation would require cross-border coordination, potential conflict with Canadian clubs if not properly negotiated."
"And Griffin's deal?" Ice Pick raises the elephant in the room. "Five million and escape from justice for a man who's participated in trafficking operations for years?"
The moral compromise inherent in the arrangement sits uneasily with all of us. Griffin is no innocent forced into criminal behavior. He's a willing, active participant in an organization that has destroyed countless lives.
"Distasteful," I acknowledge. "But potentially necessary if his intelligence prevents further trafficking and protects our witnesses."
Vulture considers all angles with the measured assessment that makes him an effective president. "Federal case status?"
"Proceeding as planned," I report. "Grand jury is next week. Cara and Miranda are scheduled to testify Thursday. Walker believes indictments against Hargrove and twenty-three associates are virtually guaranteed based on existing evidence."
"So justice will be served either way," Osprey observes. "At least for Hargrove and local operations."
"Local justice only," I remind him. "If Griffin's information is accurate, the international network continues unaffected. New operations replace those we've shut down. Different faces, same system."
The implications hang heavy in the room—the possibility that our hard-won victory represents merely a temporary disruption rather than lasting change. After months of effort, risk, and sacrifice, the scope of what remains untouched is deeply unsettling.
"We need Walker's input," Vulture decides after lengthy consideration. "See if federal resources could support expanded operations without compromising the current case."
I nod agreement, having already requested an urgent meeting with our FBI contact. "He's meeting us here at noon. Three hours from now."
As the discussion continues—tactical considerations, resource allocation, security protocols—my mind keeps returning to Cara. Her safety has been my priority since her rescue, but her testimony represents deliberate risk accepted for the cause of justice. The question now becomes whether that risk yields meaningful results or merely symbolic victory.
"Officially, this conversation isn't happening," Agent Walker begins, his usual professional demeanor strained by the complexity of our situation. "What you're describing falls under multiple federal jurisdictions, international law enforcement cooperation agreements, and sensitive diplomatic considerations."
We've moved to the facility's main office, converted to a secure briefing room for this discussion. Maps of the Pacific Northwest cover one wall, with Vancouver highlighted and specific locations marked based on Griffin's intelligence.
