"Ben saw the mining equipment," Kari said, making the final connection."They've moved from exploration to preparation.They're getting ready to start extraction, which means they're more dangerous now than ever."
"Exactly," Paul said."Which brings us to the question of what we do with this information.We have evidence—solid evidence of conspiracy and murder.But we also know the conspiracy has protection within federal law enforcement.Going to the wrong person could get us killed, not to mention it would ensure that this evidence disappears forever."
"So what do you think we should do?"Kari asked, glancing between the two of them."Clearly you've put some thought into this.You must have some ideas."
"We need to be strategic," Paul said slowly."Document everything, make multiple copies, distribute them where Devco can't reach them.Then we coordinate public exposure—media, congressional oversight, tribal authorities all at once.Make it too big to bury."
"How long will that take?"
"A week.Maybe less if we move fast."
Kari thought about the exhaustion pulling at her, about how she'd been running on adrenaline and coffee for days.A week felt like an eternity.But it was also sensible—taking time to do this right, to ensure Anna's evidence couldn't be destroyed or dismissed.
"I need to sleep on this," she said."Process everything, figure out my role in whatever we do next.Can we reconvene in the morning?"
They agreed, and Kari left with copies of the key documents secured in her vehicle.The drive back to the reservation passed in a blur, her mind churning through implications.
Her mother had been right.All those years of investigation, all the suspicions people had dismissed as paranoia—Anna had been right about everything.And she'd died for it.
By the time Kari reached her house, it was after midnight.She pulled into her driveway, grabbed the document case, and started toward her front door.
Then stopped.
Her porch light was off.She distinctly remembered leaving it on this morning before heading to Flagstaff.
Her hand moved toward her sidearm as she processed the implications.Someone had been here.Might still be here.
She was still reaching for her weapon when gunfire erupted from inside her house.
EPILOGUE
The first rounds shattered her living room window, glass exploding outward as automatic weapon fire tore through the walls.Kari dove behind her vehicle, hearing bullets punch through metal and shatter the windshield.She drew her sidearm, knowing even as she did that her pistol was completely outmatched against whoever was inside with an automatic rifle.
More gunfire.Sustained bursts that spoke of serious firepower and someone who knew how to use it.Kari returned fire blindly, just trying to make the shooter think twice about charging outside, while her mind raced through options.She was pinned down, outgunned, and whoever was inside had obviously been waiting for her.
They knew.Devco, or the conspiracy, or whoever was protecting the lithium deposit—they knew she'd been briefed, knew she had evidence, knew she was a threat that needed to be eliminated.
A brief pause in the gunfire.Kari used it to crawl around her vehicle, putting the engine block between herself and the house.She pulled out her phone, calling Ben with shaking hands.
"Kari?"Ben answered, alert despite the late hour."What's wrong?"
"Someone's in my house.Automatic weapons.They're trying to kill me."Another burst of gunfire emphasized her words."I need backup, now."
"I'm calling tribal police.Stay on the line, stay down."
Kari heard Ben making calls in the background while more rounds punched through her vehicle.The shooter was working systematically now, trying to hit her through the car's mass.Soon they'd realize that she'd moved positions, and they would adjust their fire.
She made the decision.Staying pinned down meant eventual death.She needed to move.
During the next pause as the shooter reloaded, Kari sprinted toward the window nearest the kitchen.If she could get inside, use her knowledge of the layout against the intruder, she might have a chance.
She dove through the window as gunfire resumed, rolled, came up with her weapon ready.The house was dark except for muzzle flashes from the living room.Kari fired three rounds toward the flashes, then moved, knowing the shooter would track to her position.
Return fire followed her, bullets tearing through drywall and furniture.But Kari was moving, using darkness and cover, finally taking advantage of her familiarity with her own home.She reached the hallway, pressed herself against the wall, and tried to control her breathing enough to hear over the ringing in her ears.
Sirens in the distance.Tribal police responding to Ben's call.The shooter would hear them too, would know time was running out.
Heavy footsteps running toward the back of the house.Kari moved to intercept, but the shooter was faster.She heard the back door slam open, heard an engine start in the darkness behind her property.
