CHAPTER 6 — The Girl Kate Watched Die... Was Standing Outside the Prison
The photograph wouldn't leave Kate's mind.
The smiling child beside her wasn't just anyone.
Her name was Emily.
Twelve years earlier, during Operation Black Falcon, Emily had been the daughter of an undercover informant.
Kate had promised to protect her.
But after the mission exploded into betrayal...
The safe house burned.
Authorities recovered what they believed were Emily's remains.
Kate had carried the guilt ever since.
Marcus watched her silently.
"You finally remember."
Kate grabbed his shirt.
"If she's alive..."
"...where is she?"
Marcus slowly smiled.
"Outside."
Before Kate could ask another question—
A helicopter thundered overhead.
Searchlights swept across the prison.
Federal reinforcements had arrived.
The remaining mercenaries began retreating.
Marcus suddenly laughed.
"You've already lost."
Kate frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Marcus nodded toward the prison entrance.
"You've been chasing me."
"But he was chasing you."
Kate rushed outside.
The prison yard was covered with flashing lights.
Ambulances.
Armored vehicles.
FBI tactical teams.
Then she saw them.
Near the outer gate stood a young woman in her early twenties.
Long brown hair.
The same necklace.
The same eyes.
Emily.
Alive.
Before Kate could reach her—
A black sniper round shattered the concrete between them.
Agents immediately pulled Emily behind armored vehicles.
More shots followed.
The assassin wasn't trying to kill the agents.
He was aiming only at Emily.
Kate looked toward the distant hills.
She immediately understood.
The syndicate leader wasn't rescuing Marcus anymore.
Marcus had become expendable.
Emily was the real objective.
Marcus burst into laughter as agents forced him into another transport vehicle.
"You still don't understand."
Kate glared at him.
"What?"
Marcus's grin widened.
"Emily isn't running from Black Falcon."
"She inherited it."
Kate's heart nearly stopped.
Emily slowly lifted her head.
Their eyes met across the chaos.
And instead of asking for help...
Emily whispered one sentence that left Kate frozen.
"I'm sorry..."
"...I never had a choice."
The convoy doors slammed shut.
Marcus disappeared into federal custody.
Emily disappeared into witness protection.
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And Kate realized the mission she believed had ended twelve years ago...
...had only just begun.
