Page 26 of Fractured Allegiance

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He gives me a look that says he doesn't care, then tosses me the bag.

"Here's the piece you asked for. And fresh plates if you need to move fast."

I unzip the duffel and check. Sig Sauer. Clean. No serial. Heavier than I’d like, but reliable. There’s a folded envelope inside. Photos.

I scan through them. Surveillance shots. Drazen’s warehouse. Dom’s club. A few faces I don’t recognize.

Then I stop.

She’s in one.

Lydia.

Grainy shot. Partial profile. But it’s her. Standing near a black car, phone in hand, sunglasses on. Cool. Controlled.

No timestamp.

“Where was this?” I ask, holding it out.

“East sector. She showed up near one of Drazen’s side properties. Two days ago.”

My pulse goes still.

“You didn’t mention that in the notes.”

“I didn’t know she was a person of interest.” He shrugs. “She’s not on the org chart.”

“She’s not.”

“Then why are we talking about her?”

I don’t answer.

He watches me anyway.

And then—just like that—he figures something out.

Not a full picture. Just the shape.

“You’re circling her,” he says. “Even if you don’t know why.”

I close the folder.

Zip the bag.

Steele doesn’t stop talking.

“You think she’s clean?”

“I think she’s in deeper than she wants anyone to know.”

“Or she’s exactly where she belongs.”

I look at him.

“You think she’s a threat?”

“I think you’re the one acting like she’s not.”

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