It was late, and inside the debrief room.

The overhead lights cast a cold, sterile glow. A laptop sat open at the head of the table, connected through the HDMI where Laswell's face filled on the TV screen mounted on the wall. The video call crackled softly through the speakers. Behind her in her office, it looked like daylight in the background.

John stood with arms crossed, combat shirt sleeves rolled as his forearms shown with hint of dark dust over his arms. His fleece beanie was pushed back just enough to show his furrowed brow.

Simon stood at his right, mask on as Ghost, arms at his sides—silent but alert.

Gabby was near Simon as she was still in her biker attire. Her jacket was unzipped halfway through her casual shirt and her three dog tags was known. It was known that John had updated Laswell about the restaurant, the ambush, and about who had been caught in the crossfire.

Her face was hard to read as she stayed cool but stern.

"I expected retaliation," Laswell said at last, breaking the silence. "I did not expect Harkin to go this bold. Or this soon."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, sharp even through the pixelated feed. "And I sure as hell didn't expect it to involve my daughter."

The temperature in the room felt like it dropped.

His jaw flexed. He didn't flinch or look away. "Neither did I. But it happened."

Her lips pressed together into a thin line. "We've kept this off record so far. Charlie's name may have said in any chatter outside Harkin's circle, including Rich." She paused. "But that won't last."

"He's getting desperate," Gabby said next. "That's why he sent men during daylight, at a public place. That's not strategy—that's a risk play."

"Agreed," Ghost said firmly, with hint of hardness as he knew what was in stake. "He's trying to rattle us. Push John to make mistakes."

Laswell leaned forward, elbows on her desk. "And he won't. Which is why we're here."

She pulled up a file on her end, the image popping onto the shared screen in the room. It was a photo of a man—skinny, sharp features with faded beard, thick round glasses, and tattoos up one arm.

"Levi Dunn," Laswell identified. "Goes by NerdTic. Hacker for hire. Former cyber consultant and a security analyst before he went private. Worked data jobs for everyone from small businesses to private sectors. Eight months ago, Harkin used him to break into a thumb drive connected to either one of our targets, Victor Zakharov and Vladimir Makarov. Dunn's been off grid since."

Gabby nodded. "I found traces of his signature in recent intercepts. He's back. And he's working for Harkin again. This time, he's the one who tracked Charlie's phone."

"This is the first solid lead we've had in weeks. Dunn's a freelancer," Laswell continued. "If we can grab him before Harkin realizes he's a liability—"

"He'll talk," Ghost said simply.

Gabby glanced at John, then at Laswell. "They're ready to move on him. Dunn's in Southwark. Operating out of an old printing shop converted into a data farm. He's got low-level security but nothing that can stop them."

John uncrossed his arms, voice low and decisive. "I'll handle the interrogation."

Laswell looked at him, no surprise in her eyes. Just concern. The kind of concern a superior officer has when she knows her operative's about to cross a line—but won't stop him.

"John—"

"I won't kill him," he promised.

Laswell sighed. "You've got one chance at this. If Harkin gets wind, Dunn will disappear—or end up dead."

"What's the call?" Ghost inquired.

"We take Dunn tonight. No backup. Just us." John said, his tone hardened.

Gabby nodded. "Soap standing by for transport if needed."

Laswell exhaled, reluctantly agreeing. "Alright. I'll scrub the records of this operation. It never happened." Then, her eyes focused on him. "And I want my daughter out of this by morning."

"Leave it to me," John said.

"I'll take your word," Laswell said before signing off. "Good hunting."

John turned toward Ghost after he uncrossed his arms.

"Gear up."

Ghost nodded without a word, and grabbed his helmet before stepping out. John followed him behind, leaving Gabby in the room.

The hunt had begun.