Page 42 of For Blood

"What's the play?"Derik asked, matching her pace.

Morgan's jaw clenched."We move them.Whitaker's already proven he can get to people under protection.We can't take any chances."

They rounded a corner, the secured room now in sight.Morgan's hand instinctively went to her weapon, the cold metal a comforting presence against her palm.

"You think he'd really try to hit them here?"Derik's voice was low, tinged with disbelief.

Morgan's dark eyes flashed with a mixture of determination and barely contained rage."After what I've seen?After what I've been through?I wouldn't put anything past these bastards."The bitterness in her voice was palpable, a reminder of the ten years stolen from her.

As they approached the door, Morgan paused her hand on the handle.She turned to Derik, her expression softening for just a moment."We protect them, no matter what.I won't let anyone else become a victim because of this twisted game."

Derik nodded, understanding the weight behind her words.With a deep breath, Morgan pushed open the door, ready to face whatever waited on the other side.The hunt for Whitaker had just become a race against time, and she was determined to win.For the victims, for justice, and for her own peace of mind.

The door swung open with a soft click, revealing a scene of restless tension.Sarah Winters paced the length of the room, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, each step radiating frustration.In stark contrast, Gregory Phillips sat motionless in the corner, his vacant stare fixed on a point only he could see.

Morgan's entrance drew their attention immediately.She could feel their eyes on her, searching her face for any sign of news or hope.The tightness in her jaw and the rigid set of her shoulders told them all they needed to know before she even spoke.

"We need to move.Now."Morgan's voice was clipped, brooking no argument.She scanned the room, assessing potential threats out of habit."Whitaker's been spotted nearby."

Sarah's pacing halted abruptly."What?He's here?"Her voice wavered between disbelief and fear.

Morgan nodded grimly."Too close for comfort.And you two are the only ones left who can tie him to what happened in the past."She locked eyes with each of them in turn, driving home the gravity of the situation."If he gets into this building, he's coming for you."

Phillips finally stirred, his face pale."But...but we're safe here, aren't we?This is a police station, for God's sake."

"Nowhere is completely safe," Morgan countered, her mind racing through contingencies.She thought of Thomas, gunned down right in front of her.Of herself, framed and imprisoned for a decade.The memory fueled her resolve."We're not taking any chances.Not with your lives."

Sarah's eyes narrowed."So what's the plan?Where are you taking us?"

Morgan hesitated for a split second.She knew what she had to do, but she also knew it wouldn't be an easy sell."There's a place in the building where Whitaker won't be able to reach you.It's secure, it's monitored, and it's our best option right now."

She could see the questions forming on their lips, the objections ready to spill out.But there wasn't time.Every second they delayed was a second Whitaker could be getting closer.

"I know you have questions," Morgan cut them off before they could start."I know this isn't ideal.But right now, staying alive is what matters.Everything else can wait."

The urgency in her voice seemed to finally penetrate their shock.Phillips nodded slowly, while Sarah's fists clenched at her sides.Morgan could see the internal struggle playing out on her face.

"Sarah," Morgan said, her tone softening slightly."I know you're frustrated.I know you want answers.But I can't get those answers if you're dead.Please, trust me on this."

Sarah's hands balled into fists, her knuckles turning white with the intensity of her grip.Morgan watched as a kaleidoscope of emotions flickered across the woman's face—anger, disbelief, and finally, a flicker of doubt.It was that last emotion that caught Morgan's attention, a hairline crack in Sarah's previously unshakeable conviction.

"This is insane," Sarah spat, her voice trembling slightly."Whitaker can't be—he was a detective, for God's sake!"

Morgan's jaw tightened.She understood Sarah's reluctance to accept the truth; she'd been there herself, unable to believe that her own colleagues could betray her.But they didn't have time for denial.

"Sometimes the people we trust the most are the ones who hurt us the worst," Morgan said, her voice low and tinged with the bitterness of experience."I know it's hard to accept, but right now, we need to focus on keeping you safe."

She turned to Phillips, expecting to see his usual stoic demeanor.Instead, she was met with a man who looked utterly shaken.His face had gone pale, and his eyes darted nervously around the room as if expecting Whitaker to materialize at any moment.

"He's really coming for us, isn't he?"Phillips whispered, his voice barely audible.

Morgan nodded grimly."Yes, and that's why we need to move.Now."

She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she knew would be an unpopular decision."Listen carefully.The safest place for you right now is a holding cell."

"What?"Sarah exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief.

Morgan held up a hand, cutting off any further protests."I know how it sounds, but hear me out.Those cells are designed to keep people in, but right now, they'll work just as well keeping someone out.No one gets in, no one gets out without my say-so."

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