And standing just outside the perimeter fence, barely visible in the shadow of the pines, was the silhouette of a man.

Below the photo, a single line of text appeared.

*We are waiting.*

I stared at the screen, my fingers trembling against the cold glass.

“Damon,” I whispered, my voice cracking.

He leaned closer, his eyes scanning the image on my phone.

His jaw tightened, a hard line forming along his cheek as his eyes turned to ice.

“Vance,” Damon barked into his collar mic, his voice cutting through the silence of the SUV. “They’re at the cabin.”

“We moved Leo and Marlene two hours ago, Nora,” Damon said, turning to look at me. “They are safe.”

I took a slow, shuddering breath, trying to steady my racing heart.

The SUV accelerated, its tires humming loudly against the wet, icy pavement as the convoy picked up speed.

We arrived at the federal building in Marquette forty minutes later.

The air outside was freezing, biting at my cheeks as Damon shielded me with his heavy coat.

Inside, the offices were bright, sterile, and smelled of cheap floor wax and stale coffee.