The phone rang three times before a gruff voice answered.

“Sterling,” he said.

“Marcus, it’s Daniel,” I whispered, keeping my eyes on Wade’s silhouette.

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line.

“Daniel,” Marcus said, his voice dropping. “I heard about Emily. I’m sorry.”

“I don’t have time for condolences, Marcus,” I said. “I need your help.”

“Where are you?” Marcus asked.

“I’m at the old boatyard in town,” I said. “They have Deputy Sophia Reyes. She’s hurt.”

“Who has her?” Marcus asked.

“Sheriff Wade and Caleb Reed,” I said. “They’re part of it. The whole town is dirty.”

“I can’t just send federal agents into a local jurisdiction without a warrant, Daniel,” Marcus said.

“They’re going to kill her, Marcus,” I said. “They killed Emily, and they’re going to kill Sophia.”

I heard Marcus sigh over the line.

“If Wade is as dirty as you say, he has eyes on every road,” Marcus said.

“Then what do I do?” I asked.

“You have to get her out of there first,” Marcus said. “We need her alive to secure a clean prosecution.”