Page 73 of Pursuit of Her

Eve paused at the threshold, relief washing through her at the familiar stubbornness in Reagan's voice. After three days of watching Reagan's pale, unresponsive form, even argumentative consciousness was a welcome development.

Reagan lay propped against pillows, her skin still pale but no longer carrying the gray pallor of critical blood loss. Fresh bandages wrapped her shoulder and chest, IV lines providing fluids and antibiotics. Despite her obvious weakness, her eyes remained sharp, immediately finding Eve in the doorway.

"The mission," Reagan said, foregoing greeting. "Status."

"Successfully completed," Eve replied, moving to the bedside. "The evidence was secured and distributed to federal authorities. Barrow’s in custody. Stroud’s under investigation. The network has been exposed at every level."

Hammond gathered her equipment. "Ten minutes, then she needs rest," she instructed before departing, closing the door behind her.

Eve sat carefully on the edge of the bed. "You've been unconscious for three days with a fever from infection and significant blood loss. You had two cardiac arrests during extraction."

"Acceptable given the outcome," Reagan observed, though her attempt at clinical detachment was undermined by the weakness in her voice.

"Not from where I was standing."

Reagan's expression softened slightly. "How did you extract me without arrest? Last clear memory is Winters arriving with a tactical team."

"Winters created a diversion. She arrested Barrowwhile deliberately creating enough confusion for the network's medical team to move you. I think she chose not to see our extraction."

"Interesting development. Political considerations?"

"Moral ones, I think. Foster had shared specific evidence with her prior to the operation. Winters knew what we were exposing and made her choice."

Reagan absorbed this information. "And now?"

"Now we wait," Eve replied. "Foster reports that District Attorney Powell has requested a secure meeting. Winters arranged it. They want to discuss…options."

"Prosecution options," Reagan clarified.

"That remains unclear."

Reagan attempted to shift position, wincing as the movement pulled at her wounds. "The evidence we exposed makes a public trial complicated. Too many powerful people implicated. Too many questions about institutional failures."

"Which may be our only leverage," Eve acknowledged.

Reagan's hand found Eve's, the grip weaker than normal but determined. "The operation succeeded. Justice was delivered. That was always the objective, regardless of personal cost."

"Justice includes accountability for those who nearly killed you ten years ago," Eve countered. "Not just exposure. Brooks, Barrow, Stroud—they need to face consequences. All of them."

A ghost of a smile touched Reagan's lips. "You sound like me now.”

"Maybe I needed to see the truth from your perspective to understand it fully."

Their conversation was interrupted by Sophia's arrival, her expression conveying urgency. "Emergency broadcast from Foster. Martinez has been placed on administrative leave. Winters is requesting direct communication with both of you through secured channels."

"Why now?" Eve questioned.

"Federal authorities have taken over the Barrow investigation," Sophia explained. "They're offering deals to lower-level officials for testimony against the network leadership."

"The system is cannibalizing itself," Reagan observed.

"Winters's message indicates she and DA Powell want to meet tomorrow," Sophia continued. "To discuss, and I quote, 'unprecedented circumstances requiring unprecedented solutions.'"

Eve met Reagan's gaze. The next phase was beginning—determining whether the justice system Reagan had abandoned and Eve had only recently lost faith in could redeem itself through how it handled those who had exposed its deepest corruption.

"Tell Foster we'll consider the meeting," Eve decided finally. "But we set the terms and location."

As Sophia departed to relay the message, Reagan's grip on Eve's hand tightened slightly. "Be careful. This could be Martinez's attempt to locate us."

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