Chapter 18
Chapter
Eighteen
The morning after the investigation, the Steel Protection crew processed the information they’d found at the lab and discussed how to tip off law enforcement. Brie watched Hunter sort through production logs with barely contained frustration, his jaw clenching tighter with each page.
“I’ve been trying to get access to Brennan’s research at Bright Institute for weeks,” Hunter said. “Reception claimed all his files are sealed pending the criminal investigation.”
“Cory Bright, the founder of Bright Institute, was in Search and Rescue with my dad. They still go fishing every summer,” Brie said.
Every head in the room turned toward her.
The sudden attention made her bear shift nervously, but she continued.
“Dad and Cory have been best friends for thirty-five years. I grew up calling him Uncle Cory, playing with his kids. Holly and I used to have sleepovers. Ash taught me how to climb trees. The Brights are basically my second family.”
Dom leaned forward. “Could you get us access?”
“I could call him.” She was already pulling out her phone, scrolling to his contact.
“If Brennan was developing something specific, we need to know what,” Dom said.
Brie hit the call button. It rang twice.
“Brie? Sweetheart, what a wonderful surprise!” Cory’s warm voice filled her with nostalgia for summer barbecues and childhood visits.
“Uncle Cory, I’m sorry to bother you, but I need a favor. It’s important.”
“Anything for Zach’s girl. What do you need?”
She explained quickly about the investigation, the connection to Brennan, and the need for his research files. She could hear Cory’s breathing change as the implications sank in.
“Thomas Brennan,” he said. The warmth had left his voice. “I’ll have Ivy set it up. She heads the Environmental Sciences department now.”
“Thank you, Uncle Cory.”
“Of course, sweetheart. And Brie? Be careful. If Brennan’s involved in something dangerous...” He paused. “Your father would never forgive me if something happened to you.”
After ending the call, Brie found the entire pack staring at her.
“He’s arranging it,” she said simply.
Several hours later, Brie sat beside Hunter as they drove up the mountain in his truck.
The Bright Institute appeared through the trees like something from a science fiction movie.
Glass and steel seemed to grow organically from the mountain itself, the modern architecture designed to blend with the landscape.
Multiple buildings connected by covered walkways spread across the compound, with the main structure rising four stories against the backdrop of Fate Mountain.
The main building’s lobby had soaring ceilings and natural light streaming through floor to ceiling windows.
The space buzzed with activity, researchers and students moving with purpose between the wings.
A living wall covered the entire back of the lobby, local plants creating a vertical garden that cleaned the air and reminded everyone of the institute’s environmental focus.
“Brie!”
She turned to see Ivy Bright approaching, her curly brown hair bouncing with each step. She wore a bright yellow blazer, and her hazel eyes were warm with excitement.
“Ivy! It’s been too long.” They embraced briefly, and Brie felt a pang of nostalgia for the summers when all the Bright kids would join the SAR family picnics.
“Dad said this was urgent.” Ivy’s expression shifted to something more serious as she noticed Hunter, extending her hand professionally. “Dr. Ivy Bright, Environmental Sciences.”
“Hunter Cruz, Steel Protection.”
Ivy nodded. “Dad said you need access to Brennan’s research. Follow me.”
She led them through the main building, past labs visible through glass walls where researchers worked with equipment Brie couldn’t identify. They took an elevator to the third floor, then walked down a quieter hallway to the Environmental Sciences wing.
“Brennan worked in chemistry,” Ivy explained as she badge accessed a secure door, “but his research crossed into our department near the end. We archived everything after he left.”
The restricted archive room was temperature controlled and windowless, filled with filing cabinets and sealed storage boxes.
“Here’s everything from his last two years.” She pulled out three boxes, setting them on the central table.
Hunter was already opening the first box, and Brie joined him. Ivy watched for a moment, then began helping, her scientific training allowing her to quickly identify the most relevant documents.
They worked in focused silence until Hunter pulled out a thick folder marked with red tape. Inside was Brennan’s research from his last year at the institute. Hunter spread the papers across the table, and Brie felt the temperature in the room seem to drop as they began to read.
“These formulas appear to be specifically designed for shifter metabolism,” Hunter said, his voice tight.
Ivy leaned over, reading the documents. “These compounds... they bind to shifter DNA markers.”
“Shifter metabolism shows predictable addiction pathway,” Brie read from Brennan’s notes, her stomach turning. “Metabolic acceleration ensures physiological dependency within three doses.”
“This would destroy our community,” Ivy said, her professional composure cracking. “Drug-addicted shifters with superhuman strength, no impulse control, willing to do anything for their next dose? The violence would be catastrophic. People would die...”
“He was weaponizing drugs against our own kind,” Brie whispered.
“This isn’t drug dealing,” Hunter said grimly. “This is biological warfare.”