I saw Gregory being handcuffed on the ground, his face pressed into the wet asphalt.

It was a clean sweep.

The docks were effectively shut down for both syndicates.

I closed the laptop screen.

I felt no satisfaction, only a quiet relief that the math had worked.

I stood up and went to the closet.

I needed to pack my things.

Even with the chaos at the docks, Arthur would eventually look at the map.

He would realize Gregory’s tip had been a setup.

And he would remember where Gregory got his information.

I took my duffel bag from the shelf and began folding my few clothes.

I kept my ears tuned to the sound of the wind outside.

The storm was picking up.

The waves crashed louder against the rocks.

Then, I heard a sound that didn’t belong to the ocean.

It was the deep, rhythmic hum of a heavy engine climbing the gravel driveway.

I froze, a wool sweater in my hands.

The headlights swept across the wooden wall of the living room, casting long, moving shadows through the window.

The engine died.