Agent Carter Hayes — Point of View
Hayes arrived at RR‑2 with irritation simmering under his skin. The tribal officers and the RCMP constable were already moving with purpose — too much purpose. He stepped forward.
“Morningstar. You ignored my calls.”
Eliza didn’t look up from the quadrant symbol she was photographing. “Dispatch has our location,” she said. “That’s enough.”
Hayes blinked. “That’s not how this works.”
Elijah didn’t bother turning around. “It’s exactly how it works.”
\###
Eliza Morningstar — Point of View
Eliza kept her focus on the symbol. Hayes hovered behind her like a storm cloud waiting to break. He wasn’t in charge here. He expected to be in command, but he wasn’t entitled to their time. And he would not dictate their pace.
Hayes stepped closer. “I need a briefing.”
“You’ll get one,” Eliza said, “when we’re done.”
Evan smirked under his breath.
\###
Agent Carter Hayes — Point of View
“This is a federal crime scene,” Hayes snapped. "You don't get to decide when or how you will share the information."
Marianne turned, expression cool. “Actually, Agent Hayes, this jurisdiction is shared. Until you produce a cooperative agreement, you’re a guest.”
Hayes bristled. “I don’t need a warrant to secure a crime scene.”
“You’re not securing it,” Evan said. “You’re standing in the way.”
Hayes stepped forward. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Eliza finally looked at him. “It means we’re moving,” she said. “And you’re trying to stop us.”
\###
Marianne Keeshig — Point of View
Marianne stepped between them. “We have a new lead,” she said. “A credible one.”
Hayes narrowed his eyes. “What lead?”
Elijah answered. “A room name.”
Hayes frowned. “A what?”
Evan crossed his arms. “South Room.”
Hayes blinked. “South as in direction?”
“No,” Eliza said. “South as in designation. A room name inside one site.”
Hayes stared. “How do you know that?”
Marianne didn’t hesitate. “Aiyana.”
Hayes stiffened. “She’s conscious?”
“No,” Eliza said. “But she’s remembering.”
###
Agent Carter Hayes — Point of View
He felt the shift again — the same one he’d felt at the blue house. They knew something he didn’t. “Why wasn’t I told immediately?” Hayes demanded.
Elijah shrugged. “We just told you.”
“I need to speak with her,” Hayes said.
“No,” Eliza said.
Hayes blinked. “Excuse me?”
“She’s not stable,” Eliza said. “And she’s not evidence. She’s a child.”
Evan stepped forward. “We’re not letting you near her.”
Hayes felt the heat rise in his chest. “You don’t get to make that call.”
Eliza stepped closer, voice low. “We do. And we will.”
\###
Evan Blackhorse — Point of View
Evan watched Hayes struggle to regain control — and fail. “We’re leaving,” Evan said.
Hayes snapped at him. “Leaving for where?”
Elijah answered. “To follow the next lead.”
Hayes stepped in front of them. “You’re not going anywhere until I allow it.”
Marianne shook her head. “You don’t have the authority to stop us.”
Hayes’s jaw tightened. “If you leave this scene, you’ll be interfering with a federal investigation.”
Eliza met his gaze. “And if you try to stop us, you’ll be interfering with a tribal one.”
\###
Agent Carter Hayes — Point of View
He watched them walk away — unified, certain, unstoppable. Hayes realized he wasn’t leading this investigation. He wasn’t even catching up. He was being left behind. Hayes pulled out his phone. “HQ, this is Agent Hayes. I need additional personnel and aerial support. The tribal officers are moving on a lead, and I intend to intercept.”
He paused. “And send me everything you have on directional room designations in trafficking cases. This system is bigger than we thought.”