Page 30 of Taken from Her (Phoenix Ridge Police Department #4)

D iana's office carried the accumulated weight of an investigation that had consumed her life for over a month.

Case files were spread across every surface, threat assessments were stacked beside tactical maps, and surveillance photos were pinned to boards that covered the walls.

Late afternoon light streamed through windows, highlighting dust motes floating above evidence that told a story of escalating danger.

Her coffee had gone cold hours ago. Diana lifted the mug anyway, grimacing at the bitter dregs while studying the latest intelligence reports.

Radio chatter from patrol units provided constant background—routine calls and status updates, the normal rhythm of a department that depended on her decisions.

The threatening message sent to Lavender lay in its evidence bag on her desk. Someone with serious capabilities wanted Lavender to close the café, isolate the community's gathering place, and use Diana's love against her.

Diana's badge caught the light, reflecting fifteen years of service and the current burden that felt heavier than anything she'd carried before. Command had always meant isolation, but emotional investment made every decision carry personal weight alongside professional consequences.

Her phone buzzed: Detective Morgan Rivers with an update on the federal task force coordination. Diana answered, listening to Morgan’s analysis about broader criminal networks while her mind processed resource allocation, personnel safety, and timeline constraints.

"Chief, they're suggesting this threat connects to a larger operation across multiple jurisdictions," Morgan said.

Diana absorbed this, recognizing the implications. Not just Phoenix Ridge, not just Lavender, but a systematic attack on collaborative policing approaches.

"What’s the timeline for their operation?" Diana asked.

"Unknown. But they're requesting immediate coordination."

After ending the call, Diana sat alone with the weight of impossible choices. Protect Lavender specifically or protect the community broadly? Deploy offensive investigation to eliminate threats or defensive protocols to minimize damage?

Personal happiness that depended on professional success, but professional success that required risking personal happiness.

Her hands weren't entirely steady as she reached for the next file.

Two months ago, she would have processed this as another case requiring methodical analysis and a strategic response.

Today, every piece of evidence carried Lavender's face, and every tactical decision weighed against the possibility of losing the woman who'd become essential to her understanding of what protection actually meant.

Federal involvement made everything more complex.

Multi-jurisdictional coordination, political pressure, and media attention could sensationalize the threats and create widespread panic.

Diana's innovative approach to community policing was being tested on a national stage, with her personal relationship as the weapon being used against her.

She opened her laptop, reviewing personnel assignments and resource allocation.

Full department mobilization would strain the budget and leave other operations understaffed, but a limited response might not eliminate the threat completely, leaving Lavender and the community vulnerable to escalation.

Diana studied the tactical maps spread across her desk, red pins marking locations that had become part of her emotional geography: the café where she'd first understood what partnership could mean, the forest where she'd discovered how much she was willing to risk for love, and the harbor where Lavender's houseboat provided a safe space from the institutional demands that had defined her life.

Someone wanted to destroy all of it.

Her intercom buzzed. "Chief, Lieutenant Hodges is here with tactical updates."

"Send her in."

Angela entered carrying files and wearing the expression that meant serious developments had happened. She settled into the chair across from Diana's desk, spreading reconnaissance photos and intelligence summaries with precision.

"We've identified the staging area," Angela said without preamble. "It’s in the warehouse district and has multiple escape routes and sophisticated communication equipment. This isn't random."

Diana leaned forward, studying the surveillance photos. It was a professional setup with extensive planning and resources that suggested significant financial backing. "What’s the personnel estimate?"

"There’s a minimum of six individuals, possibly more. Armed, trained, and prepared for a law enforcement response." Angela pulled up building schematics on her tablet. "They're not planning to surrender quietly."

The assessment hit Diana like cold water. This was a high-risk operation requiring a full tactical response, civilian safety protocols, and coordination with federal agencies. Everything she'd feared about emotional investment compromising strategic thinking.

"Operational timeline?" Diana asked.

"Intelligence suggests they're preparing to relocate within forty-eight hours. The window of opportunity is closing rapidly."

"Resource requirements?"

"We need full department commitment, regional backup, and federal coordination. This is a major operation with significant risk factors." Angela met Diana's eyes directly. "Chief, this is the kind of operation that makes or breaks careers and reputations."

The weight of Angela's words settled around Diana's shoulders. Professional success that could validate her innovative approach or spectacular failure that could end everything she'd built.

"What are the established community safety protocols?"

"There are evacuation procedures in place for high-risk areas, safe house arrangements for civilians, and extended patrol coverage for vulnerable locations." Angela paused. "We can protect her, Chief. We can protect all of them."

Diana studied the tactical plans, recognizing the moment when command required accepting impossible odds for necessary outcomes. Angela's confidence in the operation, her team's loyalty and competence, and the federal resources that could provide backup.

And underneath it all, the recognition that some things were worth any risk.

"Authorization timeline?" Diana asked.

"Immediate. The intelligence window closes at midnight, and the operational window closes at dawn."

Diana looked at the evidence spread across her desk, the threatening message that had started this escalation, and the tactical plans that could end it.

Fifteen years of training had prepared her for complex operations, but nothing had prepared her for making command decisions when personal satisfaction hung in the balance.

"Put together the full briefing," Diana said. "All-hands meeting, main conference room, eighteen hundred hours."

Angela stood, gathering her materials with efficient satisfaction. "Yes, ma'am. This is the right call, Chief."

After Angela left, Diana remained at her desk surrounded by the evidence of threats and possibilities. Outside her windows, Phoenix Ridge settled into evening while she prepared to authorize an operation that would determine everything.

Her phone buzzed with a text from Lavender: Community meeting went well. Everyone feels safer knowing you're handling this.

Diana stared at the message, feeling the weight of trust and expectation. Lavender's complete faith in her professional competence, the community's confidence in her protection, and her team's loyalty and readiness to follow her into high-risk operations.

All of it was dependent on decisions she would make alone, with her badge reflecting afternoon light and her heart carrying more weight than she'd ever thought possible.

Diana's entire team assembled around the rectangular table in the briefing room. Fluorescent lights illuminated tactical maps and surveillance photos while the scent of coffee mixed with nervous anticipation. Diana stood at the front, ready to address her team.

"We have forty-eight hours to neutralize this coordinated threat," Diana began. "Lieutenant Hodges has identified the staging area: warehouse district, minimum six armed suspects. They're prepared for a law enforcement response."

Angela pulled up the building schematics on the wall display. "I’ve identified multiple escape routes and sophisticated communication equipment. They can monitor our approach and will definitely have backup plans."

"What's our entry strategy?" Julia asked, studying the layout.

"We’ll have a coordinated approach from these three directions," Angela replied. "But we need to account for civilian safety protocols if this escalates."

Julia nodded, making notes. "I can coordinate evacuation procedures for the surrounding area and safe house arrangements for any community members at risk."

Morgan opened her laptop. "The federal task force is providing real-time intelligence and communication intercepts. They've confirmed this connects to operations in four other states."

"What kind of technical support can they provide?" Diana asked.

"Surveillance drones, communication jamming capabilities, and evidence collection teams," Morgan replied. "They want detailed documentation for prosecution across multiple jurisdictions."

Michelle consulted her resource charts. "For a full tactical response, we're looking at every available officer, overtime authorization for twelve-hour shifts, and regional backup units."

"What’s the budget impact?" Diana asked.

"Significant, but federal reimbursement covers specialized equipment and overtime costs," Michelle said. "We can sustain operations for seventy-two hours without compromising other duties or operations."

Diana studied the tactical display, seeing how each team member's expertise was shaping a comprehensive response. "Risk assessment for personnel?"