Page 44 of For Wrath

"Absolutelynot," Derik said, his voice firm and unyielding. "You're not going inthere alone without any backup."

Morgan looked athim, her eyes pleading. "Derik, I don't have a choice. We both know thatif I go in there with a team, he'll kill Harriet."

"You can'tlet him!" Mark shouted.

"Which iswhy we're going to use a tracking device," Derik insisted. He held up asmall pin-like gadget, its metallic surface gleaming under the precinct'sfluorescent lights. "You wear this, and we can follow you without alertingJohn. It's our best shot at getting in there and rescuing Harriet."

Morgan hesitated,knowing that any slip-up could cost Harriet her life. But she also knew thatDerik was right – she couldn't face the killer on her own. With a sigh ofresignation, she nodded her agreement. "Alright, let's do it. But we haveto be careful not to tip him off."

"Agreed,"Derik said, relief evident in his eyes. "Let's get this plan intomotion."

***

"Listen up,everyone," Derik called out, commanding the attention of the assembledteam of police officers. Morgan stood beside him, the tracking device nowclipped discreetly to her blazer. Underneath her clothing, her heart raced withanticipation and trepidation, her thoughts consumed by the danger she was aboutto face.

"Agent Crosswill be heading into John Pesci's location alone," Derik continued,outlining the plan. "She'll be wearing a tracking device so we can monitorher movements. Once she's inside and has determined that it's safe for us tomove in, she'll activate a silent signal. That's when we'll swoop in, securethe hostage, and apprehend the suspect."

Morgan felt asurge of determination as she listened to Derik's words, her focus sharpeningon the task at hand. She knew that she was walking into a lion's den, but shecouldn't let fear or doubt cloud her judgment. A woman's life was on the line,and it was her duty to save her – no matter the cost.

"Let's goover this one more time," Derik said, his intensity matching Morgan's."It's imperative that we get this right. The moment you give us thatsignal, Agent Cross, we'll be right behind you. But we have to play by therules for now; we can't risk alerting John to our presence."

"Understood,"Morgan murmured, her gaze never wavering from Derik's face. She silently prayedthat their plan would work, that they could save Harriet and bring John Pescito justice. For the first time in a long while, she felt as though she was partof a team – and that thought both comforted and frightened her.

"Alright,"Derik said, clapping his hands together with finality. "Let's get ready tomove out. Stay sharp, stay focused, and most importantly, stay safe."

As the officersdispersed to prepare for the operation, Morgan steeled herself for theconfrontation ahead. With a deep breath, she vowed to herself that she would dowhatever it took to ensure that John Pesci's reign of terror came to an end –even if it meant putting her own life on the line.

Morgan glancedaround the room, her eyes lingering on each member of the assembled team. Theirfaces were a mixture of determination and steely resolve, but she couldn'tshake the gnawing feeling in the pit of her stomach. What if John sensed thetrap? What if he hurt Harriet before they could get to her?

"Derik,"Morgan whispered urgently, pulling him aside as the officers continued their preparations."I need to talk to you – privately."

"Ofcourse," Derik replied, his voice low and serious. They stepped into anempty office, closing the door behind them.

"Look, I'mworried that John might pick up on the police presence," Morgan confessed,her words tumbling out in a rush. "If he realizes we're onto him, he couldhurt Harriet or worse. I know we have to follow protocol, but..."

"Listen tome, Morgan," Derik cut in, his gaze intense and unwavering. "Iunderstand your concern, and believe me, I share it. But we can't throw cautionto the wind. We have to play this by the book, or else we risk compromising theentire operation."

"Iknow," Morgan sighed, running a hand through her hair. "It's just…I've been down this road before, and I don't want to see another innocent lifelost because of our mistakes."

"Neither doI," Derik said softly, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder."But we can't let fear guide our actions. We have a solid plan in place,and I trust every single person in that room. We'll get Harriet back, Morgan. Ipromise."

For a moment,Morgan allowed herself to take solace in Derik's words. She knew he was right –they had to follow procedure, even if it meant risking everything. With a deepbreath, she nodded, steeling herself for the task ahead.

"Alright,"she said, her voice steady and resolute. "Let's do this."

As they rejoinedthe team, Morgan couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope amidst theuncertainty. No matter the outcome, she knew they would face it together – as aunited front, ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.

CHAPTERTWENTY SEVEN

Morgan stared atthe abandoned warehouse, its decaying façade looming in the afternoon. The windwhipped strands of her dark hair across her face as she heaved a sigh, steelingherself for what was to come. She knew that John Pesci, the killer they werehunting, had given her this location for a reason. He'd made it clear that sheneeded to come alone, or his hostage, Harriet Holland, would suffer theconsequences.

"Are yousure about this?" Derik's voice crackled in her earpiece, his concernpalpable even through the static.

"John won'thesitate to hurt Harriet if he thinks I'm not alone," Morgan replied, herheart pounding in her chest. Apprehension gnawed at her gut. But Derik hadinsisted on doing this by the books, and so she was here, wearing a wire andfollowed by police despite every instinct telling her otherwise.

"Stay sharp,Morgan," Derik said, his tone serious. "We'll be listening."

Morgan nodded,knowing full well that Derik couldn't see her. She took one last deep breathbefore stepping into the shadowy embrace of the warehouse. The darkness seemedto swallow her whole, leaving her feeling claustrophobic and paranoid.

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