Chapter 6 - The Shadows Closing InThe snow outside the Beacon Hill estate turned to a slushy, grey mist by Boxing Day, but inside Callum Vale’s study, the atmosphere was absolute ice.
Callum stood by the mahogany desk, his fingers steepled as he stared down at a dossier stamped with federal seals and intercepted wiretap transcripts. Across from him, Marcus looked uneasy, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.
"The federal task force in New York just flagged Maeve's old file," Marcus said quietly, keeping his voice low so it wouldn't carry through the heavy oak door. "They didn't just lose her witness protection record three years ago, boss. Someone inside the Boston field office sold it. And right now, an agent named Miller is sniffing around St. Brendan’s Hospital."
Callum’s jaw tightened. A muscle twitched along his cheekbone. "Miller. The same federal prosecutor who tried to pin the docks on me back in twenty-four?"
"The very same," Marcus nodded. "He knows Maeve was a key ledger clerk for the Chicago outfit before she turned state's evidence. If Miller finds out she’s been hiding under our roof—living in the most notorious syndicate house in New England—he’ll use her as bait to crack us both open."
Callum didn't speak for a long moment. He walked over to the window, watching the iron gates below where a sleek, unmarked sedan had just parked across the street. Two men in dark suits stepped out, looking up directly at the mansion's facade.
"They're early," Callum murmured coldly.
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"Should I send Dante and the boys to clear the street?" Marcus asked, his hand drifting instinctively toward his holster.
"No," Callum said, his eyes narrowing into dangerous slits. "If we move against federal agents on our doorstep, it declares an open war we don't need right now. Let them knock. But keep Maeve locked in the west wing gallery. If Miller so much as looks at the stairs, he answers to me."
