Page 74 of Pursuit of Her

"Or it could be our path to formally completing the mission," Eve countered. "Validation of everything you've worked for."

Reagan's eyes betrayed her exhaustion, the brief awakening draining her limited reserves. "No matter what happens next, we exposed the truth. That was always the primary objective."

As Reagan's eyes drifted closed, Eve remained seated beside her, their hands still connected. Outside the window, Phoenix Ridge stretched beneath the rising sun, a city coming to terms with the corruption exposed at its highest levels.

The mission had succeeded. But the aftermath—and their place within it—remained uncertain.

Phoenix Ridge Lighthouse stood sentinel at the city's northern edge, its historic tower visible for miles across both land and sea. Eve had chosen this location for the meeting carefully: neutral ground with historical significance, multiple exit routes, and the network's ability to verify no additional personnel were present.

Eve arrived an hour early, scouting the parameter and confirming the security protocols she'd established. The lighthouse keeper's quarters—preserved as a historical site but closed to the public on weekdays—provided the privacy they needed while its windows offered clear sightlines in all directions.

The storm that had raged during their final confrontation had cleared, leaving azure skies and crystal visibility. Eve gazed across Phoenix Ridge from the lighthouse's upper level, the city she'd served for twenty years spread beneath her. The Capitol Complex where Reagan had nearly died was visible in the distance, its dome catching morning sunlight.

Precisely at eleven, a single unmarked vehicle approached. Eve watched as Assistant Chief Gloria Winters emerged, accompanied by District Attorney Katherine Powell. Both women wore civilian clothing rather than their professional attire, a concession to the unofficial nature of this meeting.

Eve descended the spiral staircase to meet them at the entrance, her expression neutral despite the tension coiling through her.

"Captain Morgan," Winters greeted formally.

"Just Eve. My captain's status is somewhat compromised these days."

Powell extended her hand. "Thank you for agreeing to this meeting. The circumstances are…unprecedented."

Eve led them to the keeper's quarters where a table had been prepared with water and coffee. Both women scanned the space with professional assessment before seating themselves.

"Where is Shaw?" Winters asked.

"Recovering," Eve replied, offering no further details. "Her condition was critical for forty-eight hours following the Capitol operation."

"We're aware," Powell acknowledged. "The GSW report filed by paramedics at the scene indicated life-threatening blood loss."

Eve studied both women carefully. "That report should have triggered an immediate manhunt for an injured vigilante suspect."

"It did," Winters confirmed. "Martinez deployed teams throughout the city. Somehow, they failed to locate either of you."

The implication hung in the air between them; Winters had deliberately misdirected resources.

"I'm assuming you didn't request this meeting to renew pursuit," Eve observed.

Powell opened a slim folder. "The evidence you and Shaw exposed has created a situation without precedent in Phoenix Ridge's legal history. Federal authorities have assumed primary jurisdiction over investigations into Senator Barrow, Judge Stroud, and Commissioner Brooks."

"Public sentiment is overwhelming," Winters added. "The trafficking evidence especially has generated public demand for accountability regardless of position."

"Justice is the mission," Eve responded simply. "Has been from the beginning."

Powell leaned forward. "Which brings us to our purpose today. The federal prosecutor recognizes the role you both played in exposing this network. They've indicated willingness to consider certain... accommodations in exchange for testimony."

Eve's expression revealed nothing despite her internal calculations. "What kind of accommodations?"

"Immunity from prosecution for actions takenin pursuit of evidence," Powell stated. "With certain conditions."

"Reagan Shaw executed four men," Winters noted, her tone carefully neutral. "Under normal circumstances, those actions would result in multiple life sentences regardless of motive."

"Under normal circumstances, those men would have been arrested and prosecuted through proper channels," Eve countered. "The circumstances became abnormal when the system actively protected them."

Powell nodded, conceding the point. "Which is precisely why this offer exists. Federal authorities recognize the system failed catastrophically. The men Shaw...eliminated were demonstrably guilty of crimes that should have resulted in lifetime imprisonment."

"Not unlike the proposal Reagan originally submitted through departmental channels ten years ago," Eve noted sharply. "Before they tried to kill her for it."

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