Brandon caught up to Harrison at the bottom of the ridge. “Sir?"
Harrison didn't answer. He drove. The road streamed under his wheels like a sentence he needed to outrun. Mia's name beat against his ribs in time with the lines in the asphalt. Dead. The word refused to stick. It slid off, came back, slid again.
“Sir," Brandon said louder over the engine, “do you want me to inform the Council?"
“No," Harrison said. “Do you have eyes on them?"
Brandon glanced at his phone. “They're on County 12, heading east. They'll hit the state highway in fifteen minutes."
“Call South Spur," Harrison said. “Call the auxiliary post at the mill road. Tell them to hold both lanes. Tell them Alpha's order."
Brandon hesitated. “On what grounds?"
Harrison gripped the wheel. “Security review."
“Sir—"
“Sa
