"We understand that," Koss says. "We're not suggesting immediate action. But when the time comes, we need to know what kind of information she might have."
"When the time comes, we'll discuss it," I say. "Right now the priority is keeping her alive long enough to heal."
And keeping her sane enough that when she does testify, she's credible. Broken witnesses don't hold up under cross-examination. The network knows that. That’s why they're probably planning to make sure she never makes it to a courtroom.
Zeke spreads a map of Glacier Hollow on the table. "Here's what we're implementing. Rotating patrols past the Vance cabin regularly. Surveillance on Main Street businesses to flag anyone matching the description. Coordination with Rhys's department in Whitewater Junction for intel sharing. And communication protocol—anything suspicious gets reported immediately to all parties."
"What about the cabin's security?" Briggs asks.
"Defensible position, limited access, good sight lines. Vance has the tactical background to recognize threats." Zeke looks at me. "But if they're willing to show their faces asking questions, they might be willing to attempt direct action."
"Then we make sure they don't get the opportunity." I tap the map where the cabin sits. "Perimeter alerts already set up. Clear fields of fire from the cabin's windows. Anyone comes at us, I'll know before they get close."
I've been running defensive scenarios since we arrived. Fallback positions. Extraction routes. How to hold the cabin if it comes to that. They want Traci, they'll have to go through me to get her.
"What about the clinic visits?" Helena asks. "Traci needs consistent medical monitoring. I can't do that remotely."
"We keep the routine," I say. "Breaking it tells Traci something's wrong. She's barely starting to trust the stability. Change it now and we lose ground. We can vary timing and routes, but she needs the consistency."
"Agreed," Briggs says. "Maintain normal patterns but increase security around them. Vary timing slightly, change routes, add counter-surveillance measures."
The meeting runs another thirty minutes. Protocols established, communication channels confirmed, contingency plans outlined. By the time we wrap, everyone knows their role. Everyone except the network operative canvassing town like he owns the place.
Helena catches me before I leave. "How's she doing? Really?"
"Eating more. Still won't talk. Writes when she needs to communicate." I pause. "She asked if we're safe at the cabin. First direct question she's asked me."
"What did you tell her?"
"Truth. For now we're safe. But she needs to stay alert."
Helena's quiet for a moment. "She's making progress, Eli. Slow progress, but it's there. The fact that she's asking questions means she's starting to engage with her environment instead of just surviving it."
"How long until she's actually okay?"
"Define okay." Helena's tone is gentle but honest. "Will she ever be who she was before the trafficking? No. That person doesn't exist anymore. But can she build a new version of herself that's functional and whole? Yes. With time and support and safety. All of which you're providing."
Functional and whole still means damaged. Still means nightmares and triggers and a lifetime of watching shadows. Still means the girl she was before this is dead, and what's left is someone I barely recognize wearing her face.
I head down the hall to the back office. Knock once. "Traci. It's Eli."
The lock clicks. Rebecca opens the door. Traci's at a small desk with books spread out, backpack still on her lap.
"How'd it go?" Rebecca asks.
"Federal coordination in place. Network's actively looking for her."
"She safe at the cabin?"
"For now. But we stay alert."
Rebecca gathers her things. "Call if you need me. I'm staying in town for the next week doing follow-up work. Flexible schedule."
After she leaves, Traci closes her book. Looks at me. Pulls out her notebook.
Is it bad?
Direct question deserves direct answer.
