For the first time, the alliance between them began to collapse.
Daniel watched carefully.
He understood that Collins and Hayes were no longer working together because they trusted one another.
They were simply trying to survive.
Suddenly, Kane moved toward the side corridor.
Daniel shouted.
"Victor! Stop!"
Kane ignored him.
Robert appeared near the maintenance entrance and blocked the escape route.
"Going somewhere?"
Kane stopped.
Robert raised his weapon.
"Put it down."
Kane looked at the old investigator.
"You're making a mistake."
Robert smiled bitterly.
"I've made plenty of mistakes. Letting men like you walk away was one of them."
Outside, federal agents entered the building.
"FEDERAL AGENTS! EVERYONE DROP YOUR WEAPONS!"
Hayes immediately raised his hands.
Collins remained motionless.
Daniel approached her.
"Margaret Collins, you are under arrest."
She looked at him with cold eyes.
"You think this is over?"
Daniel placed handcuffs around her wrists.
"No. But it's a beginning."
As the agents secured the suspects, Daniel turned toward Michael.
His former partner was standing near the wall, looking exhausted.
"You okay?"
Lawson nodded slowly.
"I will be."
Daniel looked at him.
"We're getting you out of here."
Lawson grabbed his shoulder.
"Daniel, there's something else."
"What?"
"The senator knows we're here."
Daniel frowned.
"How?"
Lawson looked toward Collins.
"Because he has someone inside the team that just arrived."
Daniel turned toward the entrance.
One of the federal agents was standing near the staircase, speaking into a phone.
He was not wearing a standard FBI identification badge.
Instead, he carried a small black identification card.
Lawson whispered:
"That's one of Whitmore's men."
Daniel immediately understood.
They had not captured the entire network.
They had only captured a few of its members.
And the most powerful man behind it was still free.
The federal convoy left the industrial complex shortly after midnight.
Sheriff Hayes and Director Collins were placed in separate vehicles. Victor Kane was transported under heavy security.
Daniel, Michael, Robert, and Deputy Miller traveled in another vehicle.
The destination was an independent federal facility outside the state.
For the first time in months, Daniel believed they might finally have enough evidence to expose the entire operation.
But something felt wrong.
He had noticed that one of the agents at the industrial complex had been watching Michael unusually closely.
The agent had introduced himself as Special Agent Mark Evans.
He claimed to be part of the federal response team.
But Daniel had never heard of him.
"Robert," Daniel said quietly.
The older investigator looked at him.
"What?"
"Do you know Agent Evans?"
Robert shook his head.
"Should I?"
"I don't think he's who he says he is."
Daniel looked toward the rear vehicle.
Evans was following them.
Then Daniel noticed something else.
The vehicle transporting Collins had suddenly changed direction.
"Stop the convoy."
The driver looked confused.
"Sir?"
"Stop the convoy now!"
Daniel reached for his radio.
No response.
He tried again.
Still nothing.
Then the vehicle ahead accelerated.
A second car turned onto a side road.
The convoy was separating.
Daniel immediately understood.
Someone was redirecting the prisoners.
"Take the next exit!" he ordered.
The driver turned sharply.
Behind them, another vehicle accelerated.
Gunfire struck the rear window.
Miller ducked.
"What's happening?"
Daniel looked through the side mirror.
"Someone is trying to take the prisoners."
Robert reached for his radio.
"We need backup!"
Daniel shook his head.
"Not through their network."
He pulled out his encrypted phone and contacted Olivia Bennett.
She answered almost immediately.
"Daniel?"
"We have a compromised convoy. Someone is attempting to transfer the prisoners."
"Where are you?"
Daniel gave her the location.
Olivia paused.
"That's not the authorized route."
"Exactly."
"Who changed it?"
"I suspect Mark Evans."
Olivia's voice became tense.
"Daniel, get away from him. Evans isn't an FBI agent."
Daniel looked toward the following vehicle.
"Who is he?"
"He's a private intelligence contractor. His real name is Marcus Vale. He worked for Whitmore's security organization."
Daniel tightened his grip on the phone.
"Why was he allowed into the response team?"
"Someone approved his credentials."
"Who?"
Olivia hesitated.
Then she answered.
"Margaret Collins."
Daniel looked at Robert.
The pieces were falling into place.
Collins had anticipated her arrest.
She had arranged for someone inside the federal response team to help her escape.
"Olivia, I need you to contact the independent prosecutor. Tell them the convoy has been compromised."
"I will."
The call ended.
Daniel's vehicle turned onto a narrow road leading toward an abandoned service station.
The following car remained behind them.
Then another vehicle suddenly appeared from a side entrance.
It was driven by Mark Evans.
He stopped directly in front of them.
Daniel's driver slammed on the brakes.
Evans stepped out.
He approached the vehicle with a confident smile.
"Agent Carter. We need to talk."
Daniel opened the door.
"You're not an FBI agent."
Evans shrugged.
"Not officially."
"Who sent you?"
"You already know."
"Senator Whitmore?"
Evans smiled.
"Very good."
Daniel looked toward the road.
"Where are the prisoners?"
Evans pointed toward the other vehicles.
"Being transferred."
"To where?"
"Somewhere they won't cause any more trouble."
Daniel stepped closer.
"You're not taking them."
Evans laughed.
"You really believe you can stop this?"
Before Daniel could answer, Michael Lawson opened the rear door.
He stepped outside.
Evans stared at him.
For a moment, his confidence disappeared.
"Michael Lawson."
Lawson nodded.
"Marcus Vale."
Evans looked surprised.
"You remember me?"
"I remember everyone who helped put me in that room."
Evans raised his weapon.
But Robert moved first.
He struck Evans's arm, forcing the weapon away.
The two men struggled.
Daniel rushed forward and helped restrain him.
Miller secured the weapon.
Evans was finally handcuffed.
Daniel searched his pockets.
Inside was a small encrypted device.
He turned it on.
The screen displayed several files.
One was labeled:
OPERATION BLACK CROWN.
Daniel opened it.
A list of names appeared.
Government officials.
Private contractors.
Judges.
Police commanders.
And one final entry:
JONATHAN WHITMORE β EXECUTIVE AUTHORIZATION.