My phone buzzes. Unknown number.
I answer. "Vance."
"Eli Vance?" A male voice, professional. "Special Agent Dorsey, FBI Anchorage. I'm coordinating expandedinvestigation into Graves's network. Need to schedule debriefing with your team regarding contractor assaults."
"When?"
"Tomorrow morning, FBI field office. Moving fast to capitalize on panic from Graves's arrest. Associates are scrambling. Need to identify them before they disappear."
"We'll be there."
"Appreciate it. And Mr. Vance? Tell Traci she did the right thing. Her testimony's going to save lives."
The call ends. I relay the information to the room.
"FBI wants debriefing tomorrow morning. They're chasing down network associates while Graves's arrest has them panicked."
"Classic prosecution strategy," Cara says. "Start at the top, work down. Graves goes down, everyone underneath scrambles for immunity."
"Which means increased threat short-term." The perimeter display shows the area clear but that won't last. "Desperate people make dangerous decisions. Some of Graves's associates might decide eliminating Traci is worth the risk."
The reality settles.
Graves is in custody. Network exposed. But the immediate threat might be higher now than before the arrest.
Helena looks at me. "How long do we maintain security?"
"Until FBI finishes rolling up the network. Days, weeks." I scan defensive positions on the monitor. "We keep Traci here, maintain defensive positions, coordinate with federal authorities."
"So nothing changes," Finn says.
"Everything changes. Graves is done. Network's exposed." I turn from the monitor. "But tactically? We keep fighting until there's nobody left."
Traci's eyes are on us. Then she writes and shows Helena.
Helena reads it aloud. "I'm tired of being afraid. But I can keep doing this if it means stopping them from hurting anyone else."
Survivors don't give up. They endure. Keep moving forward when the fight isn't over. Trust the people protecting them to do their jobs.
"We'll keep you safe," I tell her.
Simple and direct. The only promise I can make.
She nods. Believes it because we've earned that trust through time defending this compound.
Outside, darkness settles over Finn's property. Sensors show the area clear. Perimeter secure. Graves in detention. FBI coordinating the larger investigation.
Network associates are learning their protection is gone. Scrambling to cover tracks, figuring out who to trust, deciding whether to run or fight or cut a deal with federal prosecutors.
Some will disappear into the wind. Some will trade information for immunity. And some will decide eliminating the witness is their last play to avoid life in prison.
I pull up weapons inventory on the tablet. Verify defensive positions. Run the same protocols we've been running since Traci arrived.
The arrest changed everything... and nothing at all.
