The battery was full.

I knew what I had to do if the local authorities were compromised.

I had one contact left from my old life who could bypass local law enforcement entirely.

Colonel Samuel Ward.

If I initiated the contact, it would trigger the emergency federal protocol.

They called it Black Lantern.

It was a contingency designed to lock down a regional sector under federal authority.

It would strip Sheriff Mercer of his badge and isolate the Whitmores from their political allies.

But it would also alert the agency to my exact location.

It would bring my past straight to my doorstep.

I looked at the phone, my thumb hovering over the keypad.

“You think you can fight a whole dynasty, Arthur?” Charles asked, trying to regain his composure.

“We own this county,” Charles added.

“You own the local police,” I said.

“You do not own the sky.”

I looked at the Senator.

“Tell him what happens when the Black Lantern protocol is activated,” I said.

The Senator’s face went completely white.

“Charles,” the Senator whispered.

“Get Ryan,” the Senator urged. “Get the girl.”