Page 126 of Only the Hunter

No hesitation.

Brie and I exchange a look.

He’s either a generational-level liar…

Or he genuinely isn’t in the operational loop.

I shift tactics.

“Did you speak with Rebecca Hanford in the weeks prior to the DOJ decision?”

He pulls back. Straightens slightly.

But I’m not reading guilt.

It’s familiarity. Possibly surprise that I’d go there.

“I speak with Ms. Hanford periodically,” he says. “She handles sensitive matters for the department.”

“Did she raise Safe Passage?”

“No.”

Immediate.

I study his hands. No tremor. No defensive fidget.

Just age.

“Senator,” I say carefully, “if someone within DHS or DOJ were coordinating transfers to protect a trafficking ring, where would that influence most likely originate?”

He studies me now.

Not like a suspect.

Like a mentee.

“Not here,” he says.

“Then where?”

“Mid-level administrators with enough authority to move paper,” he says. “But not enough visibility to draw scrutiny.”

That hits.

Because it aligns with what Gabe said about Vrell.

He continues.

“Powerful men don’t sign documents they don’t need to sign,” he says. “If someone is protecting criminals, you are looking too high.”

The room quiets.

He stands slowly.

“If you uncover evidence,” he says, “bring it to my office. I will not shield traffickers.”

I believe him.