Page 193 of Fractured Allegiance

---

They think I passed their test.

They're wrong.

I failed the only test that mattered.

I left her there.

I stood outside her door all night and did nothing.

That's what being undercover means. You watch people suffer and you don't help them. Because helping them gets everyone killed.

But I'm done watching.

I take a breath. Force myself to think.

Naomi wanted me to stay smart. Stay patient. Build the case. Follow protocol.

But patience isn't going to get Lydia out of that room.

And protocol? Protocol is what got her locked in there in the first place.

There's a leak in the Bureau. Someone's feeding Drazen information. Someone's trying to make Lydia take the fall.

And if I wait for Naomi to figure out who, if I wait for official channels, if I follow the rules—

Lydia dies.

For something she didn't do.

While I stand outside her door and do nothing.

No.

Not anymore.

I pull out my phone.

Open the encrypted messaging app.

Type: Need you to find someone. Elias Voss. Get me everything—phone number, address, known associates.

I wait. Three dots appear after twelve minutes.

Tyler: Who is he?

Me: Someone who might be able to help with the Drazen situation.

Tyler: This official?

Me: Does it matter?

Tyler: Yeah. It does. If you're going off-book—

Me: Just get me the information, Tyler.

Long pause.

Tyler: Fine. Give me an hour.

---