"Understood," Vulture replies. "We're not asking for official sanction. Just a realistic assessment of federal approach to the international network."
Walker sighs, running a hand through his short-cropped hair. "The truth? Bureaucratic reality would delay significant action for months, potentially years. International operations require task force creation, diplomatic clearances, coordinated efforts between agencies that don't always play well together."
"While women continue being trafficked," I observe.
"Unfortunately, yes." Walker's frustration appears genuine. "The Hargrove case is proceeding because it's contained within U.S. jurisdiction and supported by solid evidence your club helped secure. Expanding to international operations, particularly with alleged political protection at high levels..."
"Would be buried," Ice Pick concludes bluntly.
Walker doesn't explicitly confirm this assessment, but his expression speaks volumes. "Let's just say that certain details might be deemed too sensitive for immediate action, pending further investigation and approval from multiple oversight committees."
The diplomatic phrasing disguises an ugly reality—political considerations would likely prevent effective action against the larger network, particularly if high-level officials are implicated as Griffin suggests.
"And witness security?" I press, focusing on my primary concern. "Griffin described active elimination protocols targeting those testifying against Hargrove."
"We've increased protective details," Walker assures us. "But I'll be honest—if this network has the reach your source describes, federal protection has limitations. Especially long-term."
The assessment confirms my fears. Conventional witness protection might address immediate trial security, but the network's patience and resources create vulnerability that standard procedures can't mitigate indefinitely.
"Griffin's offer," Vulture prompts. "Your professional assessment?"
Walker chooses his words with extreme care. "Officially, facilitating a federal suspect's escape from jurisdiction would constitute multiple felonies." He pauses significantly. "Unofficially, intelligence from someone at his level could save countless lives if properly utilized."
"Would you look the other way?" I ask directly.
"I would never know about any arrangement made outside official channels," Walker replies with deliberate ambiguity. "Just as certain intelligence might reach appropriate federal agencies through anonymous sources after independent action secured it."
The implicit understanding is clear—Walker can't officially sanction club action against the international network, but he would utilize resulting intelligence if provided through deniable channels.
"And the current case against Hargrove?" Osprey asks. "Would an expanded operation risk those prosecutions?"
"Not if handled separately," Walker confirms. "Evidence already secured is sufficient for indictments regardless of additional developments. The primary risk would be to witnesses if their security is compromised by escalation."
The conversation continues for another hour, detailing various approaches and their potential consequences. Throughout, one reality becomes increasingly clear—conventional law enforcement cannot or will not effectively address the full scope of the trafficking network. Any significant action against the international operation will fall to organizations willing to operate outside official constraints.
Organizations like the Saints.
As Walker departs—officially never having been here—the club leadership faces our most consequential decision in years. Continue with the limited but achievable victory against Hargrove, or expand our fight to an international network with resources and reach far beyond our typical operations.
"Chapel vote," Vulture declares, recognizing the magnitude of the choice before us. "Full membership. Tonight."
Before the club vote that will determine our path forward, I have one crucial conversation that can't wait. I find Cara at the safe house property, reviewing construction plans with the architect and security team. Her transformation over recent months continually surprises me—the confident, purposeful woman before me showing little outward evidence of the trauma she endured.
"Need a few minutes," I tell her after waiting for a natural break in their discussion. "Club business."
She nods, immediately alert to the serious undertone in my request. We walk toward a quiet area of the property, away from the ongoing work preparing for groundbreaking.
"Griffin talked," she guesses once we're alone.
"Yes." I see no benefit in softening what follows. "The trafficking operation is much larger than we realized. International network, high-level protection, sophisticated structure. Hargrove and the Reapers are essentially regional franchisees for a global organization."
She absorbs this without visible reaction, though I note the slight tensing of her shoulders. "I suspected as much. The operation was too well-organized to be locally managed."
Her analytical response, free from fear or distress, reinforces my respect for her resilience. I continue with the more immediate concern. "Griffin also revealed active threat protocols targeting witnesses in the federal case. Specifically, you and Miranda."
"That's not surprising," she replies with disturbing pragmatism. "We always knew they'd try to silence us. That's why we have security measures in place."
"This is different," I insist. "The network has resources beyond what we've accounted for. Federal building infiltration. Surveillance on this property. Potential compromised officials within witness protection programs."
