Two Weeks Later

Redwood moved on surprisingly fast.

The Blackthorne investigation dominated the news. Federal agents flooded the city. And this time, Daniel Mercer didn’t escape.

He was arrested outside Redwood Harbor in front of cameras, FBI agents, and one reporter who shouted:

“HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE THE CITY’S MOST EXPENSIVE CRIMINAL?”

Honestly? Iconic.

Jake called Mercer’s arrest “cinematically satisfying.”

Mia said Jake needed therapy.

Aria said both statements were scientifically valid.

Two weeks later, the trio sat in their usual booth at Redwood Café, drinking hot coffee and eating cinnamon rolls.

Same booth. Same friends. Significantly less attempted murder.

“You know what bothers me?” Mia asked.

“The fact that I nearly died six times?” Jake guessed.

“No. The fact that you enjoyed it.”

“That feels unfairly accurate.”

“You smiled during the crane collapse,” Aria added.

“In my defense, adrenaline is confusing.”

Then the café door opened.

Detective Lane walked in, followed by Ethan and Zoe.

Alive. Safe. Finally free.

“We came to say goodbye,” Ethan said.

“Witness relocation cleared,” Lane explained. “Federal protection too.”

Jake nodded.

“That’s probably smart.”

Even Aria looked surprised by the mature response.

Zoe smiled.

“You’re way less annoying when you’re sincere.”

“Might be the meanest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”

Mia immediately noticed Zoe looking at Jake a little longer than necessary.

“Oh no,” she thought.

“So,” Mia said casually, “Jake nearly died saving you twice.”

“MIA.”

Zoe laughed.

“I noticed.”

For once, Jake looked genuinely embarrassed.

A few minutes later, everyone was laughing about Jake’s latest idea.

“We should all become bungalow housemates.”

“Absolutely not,” Aria replied.

“You’d build a detective wall,” Mia added.

“…okay, now I want a basement.”

Even Ethan laughed.

Then Mia narrowed her eyes.

“Wait.”

Jake blinked.

“What?”

“You’re doing the face.”

“What face?”

“The ‘I’m hiding something catastrophic’ face.”

Jake sighed and pulled a small silver key from his pocket.

The table went silent.

“Why do you STILL have that?” Zoe asked.

“It felt important.”

Aria turned it over.

Engraved on the back were the words:

WHITMORE STORAGE — UNIT 27

Silence.

Mia closed her eyes.

“I hate this.”

“You love this.”

“I hate that you’re right.”

Outside, thunder rolled softly over Redwood.

Jake smiled.

Because somewhere out there...

another mystery had just begun.