Chapter 3 - The Ghost on the Ridge
The wind picked up, howling down the canyon and whipping Claire’s long brown hair across her face. She didn't bother tucking it behind her ear. Every second spent standing on this dusty asphalt was a second the target had to alter his routine.
“The old Miller property,” Vance said, answering his own question as realization hit him like a physical blow. His hand finally slid off Claire’s shoulder. He stepped back, staring at the deputy who shared his last name. “Miller... your uncle owned that tract.”
Deputy Miller looked pale, his fingers trembling slightly as he still held Claire’s open wallet. “He hasn’t used that cabin in a decade, Sheriff. At least, that’s what we all thought.”
Marcus sneezed from the dust, shaking his head. “That cabin hasn’t been empty a single night this month. We tracked the power grid usage three days ago. Someone’s been running a satellite uplink from the basement.” He turned his piercing gaze back to Claire. “You knew he was there before we tracked the signal, didn't you? That’s why you took this cover assignment.”
Claire peeled off one yellow cleaning glove with a sharp snap, tossing it onto the hood of the car. Her bare hand was pale, scarred across the knuckles from an old injury she never spoke about. “My brother didn't die in a training accident in Bolivia, Marcus. The autopsy report listed blunt force trauma, but the soil under his fingernails matched the red clay unique to this specific river basin. I spent four years tracking the paper trail. It always leads back to that porch.”
Vance let out a heavy breath, pulling his radio off his shoulder strap. “I’m calling in state police. We blockade the access roads.”
“Don't you dare,” Claire snapped, stepping away from the car with a sudden, controlled fury. “If you call the state boys, his inside man at the precinct gets the alert before they cross the county line. We go in quiet, or we don't go in at all.”
Marcus nodded slowly in agreement. “She’s right, Vance. You want to save your badge and your town from taking the fall when the oversight committee arrives? You hand over your keys, and you let us lead.”
May you like
Deputy Miller looked desperately between the Sheriff and the federal agents. “My family built this town. If there’s corruption up there, I have a right to know. I’m coming with you.”
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