Page 26

Ivy nodded, then moved toward the bathroom. "I should make myself presentable before your partner arrives. Wouldn't want to undermine your professional reputation."

The comment carried a barb that Julia couldn't entirely blame her for. Before she could respond, Ivy disappeared into the bathroom, the door closing with quiet finality.

Julia exhaled slowly, surveying the cabin. The parameters of their situation were established: security protocols outlined, communication channels confirmed, professional boundaries reinforced.

So why did it all feel so tenuous, as if the careful structure she'd built could collapse with a single misplaced word or lingering glance?

Because it can, she acknowledged silently.Because some boundaries, once crossed, can never be fully restored.

The supply drop went smoother than Julia had anticipated. Morgan arrived with two duffel bags of provisions, a secure laptop for Ivy, and a weather-sealed case containing her files. The exchange took less than fifteen minutes, with Morgan keeping her observationsabout the situation mercifully to herself.

Now, three hours later, Julia stood on the cabin's narrow porch, satellite phone pressed to her ear while she scanned the surrounding forest. She'd positioned herself strategically—back to the wall, sight lines clear in all directions, close enough to the door to retreat inside at the first sign of trouble.

"Talk to me," she said when Morgan answered.

"Situation's evolving." Morgan's voice was tight in a way that immediately put Julia on alert. "Knox is escalating. Two of his enforcers were picked up near Dr. Monroe's apartment complex. Armed, carrying photos of both of you."

Julia's jaw tightened. "Time frame?"

"Less than an hour ago. Chief's handling it personally, keeping them isolated from general population."

"And the leak?"

"That's the other concern." Morgan lowered her voice, though the satellite connection made it unlikely anyone could monitor their call. "We've narrowed it down to DetectiveDivision, likely someone with direct access to witness protection protocols."

Julia processed this, mentally reviewing the division's roster. Twenty-seven detectives, all women, all supposedly vetted. The thought that one of them might be in Knox's pocket made her stomach twist.

"Any suspects?"

"Nothing concrete. Chief Marten's implementing communication firewalls—compartmentalizing information, feeding different details to different units. But whoever it is knows how we operate."

"Professional," Julia concluded. "Not just taking payoffs, but actively working against the department."

"Looks that way." Morgan paused. "There's more. Forensics finished analyzing the equipment from the helicopter that tracked you. Military-grade surveillance tech, latest generation. Knox isn't just throwing resources at this; he's deploying specialized assets."

Julia stepped to the edge of the porch, gaze methodically sweeping the tree line. No movement beyond the natural sway ofbranches in the mountain breeze, but that didn't mean they weren't being watched.

"Has Lieutenant Vasquez been briefed on our location?"

"Negative. Just you, me, and the chief. And I swept my vehicle and equipment before heading up there."

"Keep it that way. And Morgan? Watch yourself."

"Already on it." A brief pause. "How's it going up there? Really?"

Julia knew what her partner was asking—not about operational security, but about the undercurrent of tension between her and Ivy.

"Manageable," Julia replied.

"That's not an answer."

"It's all you're getting."

Morgan sighed. "Fine. But remember what Sergeant Cooper used to tell us: 'Complications compromise?—'"

"'—and compromise kills,'" Julia finished. "I remember."

She ended the call, the weight of responsibility pressing against her chest. Knox was escalating, deploying professional assets with military precision. The leak came fromwithin Detective Division, potentially compromising every safety protocol they'd established.