He was fifty-eight, broad-shouldered, gray at the temples, and too experienced to mistake a midnight call for anything good.
“This better matter.”
His operations chief did not waste time.
“Claire Bennett is in local custody.”
Reyes sat upright.
Every trace of sleep left his face.
“Who took her?”
“Millhaven Police.”
That alone was bad.
Then came the rest.
“No warrant shown. Forced entry. Controlled substance charge. We have preliminary indication the evidence was planted. A patrol officer from inside the department called the federal line. Says it’s all on body cam.”
Reyes swung his legs out of bed.
“What’s Claire’s status?”
“Alive. In-house. Interview room. Her emergency beacon activated thirty seconds ago.”
That changed everything.
Claire did not hit that beacon because she was nervous.
Claire hit it because she believed danger had moved from theoretical to immediate.
Reyes was already pulling on his clothes.
“Wake the response team. Legal, tactical, digital forensics, internal review. Full package.”
