Chapter 11 Hawk
Hawk
By noon, the rain had thinned to mist, but the tension inside the cabin was thick enough to choke on.
Boone and Miles were bent over the laptops, coding the bait message with language that sounded just real enough to be believed. Russ stood by the door with his arms crossed, watching the tree line like the woods might bite.
And Julia—she sat at the table, hair pulled back, jaw tight, typing up an official “report” that was anything but.
Suspect vehicles linked to Copper Ridge Mine believed to be relocating materials to abandoned storage site on Miller’s Creek Road. Possible shipment within twenty-four hours.
“Perfect,” Aaron said, leaning over her shoulder. “Once we upload that to the department database, whoever’s leaking information will send it straight to their contact. We’ll trace the route within minutes.”
Julia’s fingers hesitated on the keyboard. “You’re sure they’ll take the bait?”
Miles grinned. “If they don’t, they’re not the ones we’re looking for. But my money says they will.”
“Don’t make bets you can’t afford to lose,” Hawk said.
Miles’s grin didn’t fade. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
Julia hit enter. The message was uploaded. A single, invisible thread cast into a pit of snakes.
Now, all we could do was wait.
By the time the signal tripped, the light outside had turned a golden hue.
“Got it,” Miles said, eyes locked on the screen. “Ping originated from the sheriff’s office, external relay through a private modem off Highway 9. Whoever it is, they’re moving fast.”
“Where does Highway 9 lead?” Boone asked.
“Dead ends at Miller’s Creek,” I said. “Old storage barns and one busted sawmill. Been shut down for years.”
Russ looked up from his notes. “Then they’re either checking the bait or planning to clean it.”
Aaron stood. “We move now. Miles, stay on comms. Jace, you’re with me. Hawk, take your team and flank west of the creek road.”
Julia straightened. “I’m going too.”
Aaron hesitated. “You’re wounded.”
She lifted her chin. “Barely. And I know every road out there. You need me.”
He studied her a moment, then nodded once. “Stay with Hawk.”
She looked like she wanted to argue—until she saw the way I was watching her.
We left in two vehicles, headlights off, rolling down the old back road that wound through Copper Ridge’s forest like a secret.
The silence inside the truck was heavy. Julia rode shotgun, rifle across her lap, scanning the treeline. Every so often, her eyes flicked toward me.
“Don’t start,” she said finally.
“Didn’t say anything.”
“You were thinking it.”
“Probably.”
She blew out a breath. “I can handle myself, Hawk.”
“I know.”
“Then stop hovering.”
I glanced at her. “Not hovering. Observing.”
“Same thing.”
“Difference is,” I said quietly, “when I hover, people stay alive.”
She looked away, but I saw the corner of her mouth twitch.
The forest thinned. Ahead, through the dusk, I could see the turnoff to Miller’s Creek—a narrow dirt track half-hidden by undergrowth.
Boone’s voice crackled through the comm. “Thermal picks up two vehicles parked by the barns. Looks like a black SUV and a white van. No movement yet.”
Aaron’s voice followed. “Delta Five’s in position on the ridge. Brave Team, you’re clear to advance.”
“Roger that,” I said, killing the engine.
Julia checked her weapon. “What’s the plan?”
“Simple,” I said. “Find our leak, don’t get shot.”
She gave me a look. “You really missed your calling as a motivational speaker.”
I smiled. “Come on, Detective.”
We moved through the brush, keeping low. The barns loomed ahead, old tin siding rusted and bowed, a perfect place for bad men to hide.
Boone and Russ circled wide to the left. I motioned for Julia to follow me along the right flank.
Halfway to the barn, movement flashed at the corner of my vision—someone stepping out of the van.
Tall. Broad-shouldered. Wearing a sheriff’s department jacket.
Julia froze beside me. “That’s Frank.”
He turned toward the barn, speaking to someone in the shadows.
Aaron’s voice came low through my earpiece. “Confirm visual. One deputy. Second target unidentified. Permission to intercept?”
I glanced at Julia. Her jaw was set, eyes locked on her cousin. “We take him alive.”
“Copy,” Aaron said. “Your call, Jensen.”
I signaled Boone and Russ to close in. The four of us converged on the clearing.
“Sheriff’s department!” Julia shouted, stepping out from behind a stack of barrels, weapon raised. “Frank, drop your weapon!”
He spun around, eyes wide. “Julia? What the hell are you doing here?”
“You tell me,” she snapped. “You’re standing in the middle of a cartel handoff site wearing our badge.”
“I didn’t—” He hesitated, panic flashing across his face.
And then, from the shadows behind him, a figure raised a gun.
“Down!” I shouted.
Julia hit the dirt as the first shot rang out. Frank staggered, blood blooming across his shoulder. I fired back, hitting the shooter square in the chest. He dropped instantly.
Boone and Russ rushed in, clearing the area.
“Secure him,” I said, kneeling beside Frank. “Stay with me, buddy.”
Frank coughed, grimacing. “They—used me—didn’t know…”
Julia’s face was pale. “Frank, who? Who used you?”
He swallowed hard. “Deputy Torres. Said we were running surveillance… said—”
His eyes rolled back.
“Pressure!” I barked. “He’s bleeding out!”
Julia pressed her hands over the wound, voice breaking. “Don’t you dare die, Frank.”
Aaron’s voice came through comms. “Med evac’s en route. We’ll have a chopper inbound in five.”
“Copy.”
I looked at Julia. “He’s gonna make it.”
She shook her head, tears mixing with the dirt on her face. “He didn’t even know what they dragged him into.”
“If he’s telling the truth, we will find the ones who did,” I said.
By the time the helicopter lifted Frank out, night had fallen. The barn was empty except for bullet casings and a few scattered crates of weapons that proved everything Julia had suspected.
Delta Five packed up the evidence in silence.
Aaron clapped me on the shoulder. “Nice work, Jensen. Could’ve gone worse.”
“Yeah,” I said, glancing toward Julia, who stood near the edge of the clearing, staring at the bloodstained dirt. “Could’ve gone better too.”
“She’s tough,” Aaron said quietly. “But she’s got a lot more to lose than you think.”
“Tell me about it.”
He gave me a knowing look. “You two ever gonna stop dancing around it?”
I sighed. “Not today.”
“Better make it sooner than later, you know how our work is,” he said, and walked away.
I watched Julia a moment longer before joining her. The moon had come out, pale and cold; her black hair shone in the moonlight.
“He’s stable,” I said softly. “They’ll keep him under guard until we know who else was involved.”
She didn’t look at me. “He almost died because of this.”
“Because someone used him,” I said. “And whoever that someone is—we’ll find them.”
She turned then, eyes fierce and shining. “We? You’re not law enforcement, Hawk.”
“No,” I said. “But I’m not leaving you to fight this alone.”
Her breath caught, and for a heartbeat, she didn’t answer. Then she whispered, “You already promised me that once.”
“Still stands.”
“Frank said Deputy Torres brought him out here.”
The wind shifted, carrying the smell of smoke and gunpowder. Somewhere beyond the trees, thunder rolled again.
This war wasn’t over—not by a long shot.
And neither was she.