Chapter 15 - Inside the Photograph
Jax pulled the torn photograph backing from his pocket.
The tracking chip had been hidden in one layer.
But the photograph itself had another sealed layer beneath the cardboard.
Miriam used a utility blade to separate it.
A thin strip of microfilm slid onto the desk.
Vince stared. “People still use that?”
“People who don’t trust clouds do,” Miriam said.
She held it under a scanner.
Names filled the laptop screen.
Sheriff Bell.
Two retired deputies.
A state senator’s former chief of staff.
Three shipping executives.
A federal marshal.
And dozens of payment records tied to Cole’s network.
The ledger had never been a bound book.
The photograph was the ledger.
Jax laughed once in disbelief. “Hannah carried it for eight years.”
Miriam copied the file and sent it through three encrypted channels.
“Now killing us won’t erase it.”
Jax looked toward the door.
“Good. Then we go.”
The tactical team was still several minutes away, but Cole expected Jax now. If they waited, Hannah and Aaron might pay for it.
Miriam made the call.
“We approach, we do not breach unless forced. I’ll coordinate the team from outside.”
Jax nodded.
Darla pointed at Eli. “He stays with me.”
Eli started to argue.
Darla leaned close. “Your mom needs you alive. Your dad needs you alive. Jax needs you alive even if he’s too stubborn to say it.”
Eli looked at Jax.
Jax said, “She’s right.”
The boy handed him the brass key.
Then, unexpectedly, he hugged him.
“Bring them back.”
Jax held him tight.
“I will.”
Jax, Vince, and Miriam drove toward River Cold Storage in separate vehicles.
At the north loading dock, Jax stepped out alone with his hands visible.
Cole emerged from the darkness.
He looked older, thinner, and more polished than the brother Jax remembered. No biker vest. No beard. Gray suit. Expensive watch.
A criminal who had learned to look respectable.
“You came,” Cole said.
Jax held up the key.
“Where are they?”
Cole smiled.
A warehouse door rolled upward.
Hannah stood inside with her wrists tied in front of her.
Beside her was Aaron, barely steady on his feet.
Jax took one step forward.
Cole raised a pistol.
“Easy.”
Jax stopped.
“Key first.”
“Hannah first.”
Cole laughed.
Then he looked past Jax toward the road.
His smile vanished.
“Where’s Eli?”
Jax said nothing.
Cole lifted a radio.
May you like
“Plan B.”
Three miles away, Darla’s van exploded into motion as a black SUV rammed it from behind.
