“I can requisition additional trail cameras from the agency,” I say. “Not mounted low like before. High canopy placements. Angled lenses. Out of easy reach.”
Ciaran studies the map again. “If the rogue approaches the corridor after adjustment, we capture it.”
“And if someone adjusts patrol timing in response,” I add, “we capture that too.”
Alden’s eyes remain on mine. “You would be placing equipment inside pack territory,” he says.
“Yes,” I reply. “Under supervision.”
His hesitation is visible in the slight tightening of his mouth.
“I lost six cameras last time,” I continue. “This time I place them differently. Concealed mounts. Redundant angles. Encrypted storage.”
“You would not upload externally,” Alden says.
“I can store footage locally,” I answer. “Air-gapped drives. No cloud access.”
Ciaran shifts his weight, considering. “Placement would require access beyond the lower boundary.”
“It would,” I agree.
Alden moves around the desk slowly, closing the space between us until I can feel the heat of him at my side. He studies the map over my shoulder, close enough that his breath brushes my hair.
“You are asking for trust,” he says quietly.
“I am asking for data,” I reply.
His shoulder brushes mine as he leans in, and the contact lingers a fraction too long to be purely incidental. My pulse jumps, which irritates me, because I am knee deep in a conspiracy discussion and my body has decided now is the time to be aware of him.
“You will not roam freely,” he says. “Two guards minimum, and Ciaran oversees placement.”
Ciaran nods once. “I will select the team personally.”
Alden’s gaze never leaves my face. “You place them at dusk. Reduced visibility from town.”
“That works,” I say.
“And you report directly here,” he adds. “No external disclosure.”
I hold his gaze. “Agreed.”
The approval does not come easily.
He studies me for another long moment, as if measuring risk against necessity, and something else that feels less clinical and more personal.
“Very well,” he says finally. “You place your cameras.”
Relief mixes with adrenaline, dangerously close to satisfaction.
“I will need access to the east ridge line,” I say. “Specifically the corridor zone.”
“You will have it,” he replies. “Under guard.”
Ciaran gathers the council files into a tighter stack. “I will begin discreet monitoring immediately. If a council member is adjusting rotations, we will see the pattern.”
Alden nods once. “Quietly.”
The room falls into a brief silence that hums with contained tension.
