Chapter 25
Chapter
Twenty-Five
“This may take a while. I need to take this to the Special Agent in Charge. We’ll need to get warrants.”
“I’m trusting you, Kate. Do not disappoint me.”
“You can count on me, Reaper. This is exactly the kind of case I need to break my slump. It won’t get buried. I swear to you. But you two need somewhere to lay low while we carry this out. I think I’ve got just the place for you.”
She picked up the phone and dialed. “I need access to the Hartwell place.” She paused. “I’ve got important witnesses who need R and mozzarella sticks with marinara as sides. Zeppoles for dessert.
When they finished eating, Reed’s stomach was satisfyingly full. Outside the windows, the city sparkled in the darkness. He sat back on the cushions, and Siren curled up beside him. After the credits finally rolled on the movie, the two of them agreed it was time for bed.
They brushed their teeth and climbed under the silky smooth, luxurious sheets. Holding each other, they fell asleep.
Two days passed as they waited and played house in the condo. The agents bought them groceries and they took turns cooking. They passed the time watching movies and playing cards at the kitchen table. Reed’s side was quickly healing, new pink skin closing over the wound.
Kate called twice with updates. Her team was working with federal prosecutors to secure indictments. On the morning of the third day, there was a knock at the door. Reed opened it.
Kate stood outside, looking tired but smiling as he closed the door behind her.
“Warrants are signed,” she said. “Teams will serve them at 3 PM. I want to be there when they put hands on Ashcroft. I’ll text you when it’s done, but it should be on the news.”
Kate headed out and Reed and Siren turned to each other. She crossed the space between them and wrapped her arms around his waist. “It’s finally over,” she whispered.
He held her tightly, squeezing his eyes closed as a wave of relief and exhaustion washed over him. They’d been running for their lives for weeks, looking for clues. Trying to discover who killed Carl Unger and why.
Finally, after being ambushed twice, both of them being shot, pretending to be totally different people, this whole thing was coming to an end. They could finally rest. Finally take a moment to think.
He caressed her back, his bear purring at the thought of getting to spend time with his mate outside of this mission. To finally get to know her beyond the danger. To finally go back home.
At three o’clock, the two of them turned on the TV, flipping through news channels. It wasn’t until four that they found the report they’d been looking for.
“—breaking news out of Manhattan this hour. Federal agents have descended on a Park Avenue high-rise in what appears to be a major operation. We go live to Sasha Collins outside the building. Sasha, what are you seeing?”
The screen cut to a reporter in a navy blazer, holding a microphone. Behind her, uniformed officers and plain clothed agents moved in and out of the building’s entrance. Unmarked sedans and SUVs were double-parked along the street.
“Tom, we arrived on scene about twenty minutes ago. The FBI has not confirmed the nature of this operation. What we can tell you is that agents entered the building shortly after three o’clock.”
The camera swung toward the glass doors. Two agents emerged, scanning the crowd. Then two more, flanking a man in a suit with his hands behind his back.
The camera zoomed in. Victor Ashcroft.
“We are now seeing an individual being escorted from the building in handcuffs,” the reporter said. “I cannot confirm the identity at this time, but we’re seeing someone being led to a vehicle now.”
Ashcroft’s face was rigid, his clothing rumpled as the agents guided him into the backseat of a black SUV. As the door closed, Siren’s phone buzzed. She showed him the screen.
Kate: Draven and Ashcroft in custody. It’s done.