Page 86 of Cole

"What happens now?" Janice finally asked.

"Now the federal government compiles evidence to bring charges against Penson and his company. The contaminated sites get cleaned up. Your research gets used as evidence." Cole pulled back to look at her. "And you get to move on."

“Yeah… I certainly won’t be finishing any work here. I have no idea what the university will use the data for, but hopefully someone in the environmental science department will care.”

“We will definitely use it, Dr. Lynch.” A man walked over and nodded at her. “I’m Agent McClasky from the EPA. We will be gathering all the evidence and will use it to continue the studies here on the effects of climate change and mining on wildlife.”

The air rushed from her lungs as a smile spread across her face. “That’s wonderful. Thank you!”

He dipped his head again and moved over to some of the other agents. She leaned into Cole, and his last words came rushing back to her. “You get to move on.”

Move on used to mean just going back to the vet clinic outside of Seattle and continuing to work with her parents. But her future had appeared to possibly include Cole, but now she wasn’t sure. Something in his voice made her chest tighten. Like he was already preparing to let her go.

"Cole—"

"Dr. Lynch?" Another agent approached. "We're ready for your statement."

Janice wanted to refuse, wanted to finish this conversation, but she knew her statement was important. "I'll be right back."

"I'll be here," Cole promised.

The statement took two hours. Janice walked them through everything, including the water quality issues, the tampered cameras, being taken from the hotel, the terrifying ride to the camp, Cheryl's help, and running through the forest while men shot at them.

By the time she finished, her voice was hoarse, and her hands shook with remembered fear and a healthy dose of anger.

When she emerged, Cole was exactly where he'd promised. But Timothy, Dalton, and Frazier had joined him, all looking cleaner and less like they'd just been in a fight. She walked directly to them, allowing Cole’s arms to encircle her as she looked at the other two Keepers.

“Thank you. I’m afraid I was remiss in my gratitude.”

"No thanks needed, Doc," Frazier called with a grin. "Heard you're quite the shot."

Janice felt her face heat. "I got lucky."

"That wasn't luck," Timothy said seriously. "You saw a threat and took action. That takes courage."

"You all are the heroes. I'm a veterinarian, not a soldier. ”

"Doesn't matter." Frazier's grin widened. "You've got heart. That's what counts."

Cole's expression softened as he looked at her. "They're right. What you did out there... most people would've frozen."

Timothy cleared his throat. "The feds are releasing the scene tomorrow. You'll be able to go back to your cabin, finish packing up."

Janice blinked. In all the chaos, she'd almost forgotten about her cabin. Her cameras. Her research. The job she'd come here to do. "Good. I want to go back. Check the cameras, download everything, make sure it's all documented."

"We'll take you," Cole said immediately. "Tomorrow, once the scene is clear."

Timothy and Frazier exchanged a look. Then Frazier said, "Actually, we should head back to Montana. Lots of paperwork. Cole, why don't you stay with Dr. Lynch? Make sure she gets everything sorted out."

"You don't have to—" Janice started, but Cole was already nodding.

"Makes sense. You three go ahead. I'll fly back once Janice's done here."

They were grinning as they left. Janice turned to Cole. "They set that up."

"Yep."

"Not subtle."