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“You stay beside me.”

This time, neither of us argues.

“We will.”

Less than fifteen minutes later, all seven Iron Ridge Protectors board the plane.

Sage and I sit beside Sean.

Will takes the seat across from us.

The real key rests inside a secured pouch against Sean’s chest.

The ledger remains with Sheriff Cruz.

As the plane rises over the mountains, Taylor receives the first images from the bomb squad’s drone.

The old depot appears on his screen.

The office wing is empty.

The parking lot is deserted.

Every door is closed.

Then the drone turns toward the boarded windows of the baggage room.

One board has been removed.

Through the narrow opening, we see a chair.

Sally is tied to it.

Wires run from beneath the chair to the security locker across the room.

A red timer glows above the locker door.

Forty-three minutes.

Sage grips my hand.

Sean leans toward the screen.

“Can the bomb squad enter from the rear?”

Taylor speaks to the team in Pueblo.

“They say the floor may be pressure-sensitive. The wiring disappears beneath it.”

“Roof?”

“Possible entry, but they need time to inspect it.”

“We don’t have time.”

The drone image shifts.

Sally lifts her head.