ISAAC MORANO

**17**

Chapter Seventeen- Revealing the Truth

Tony stepped into the headquarters, his military uniform crisp and slightly rumpled from travel. His presence filled the room with an air of authority. "Sorry I'm late, Catherine. Just got back from Iraq," he said, his tone a mix of weariness and determination.

Catherine smiled, relieved to see him. "No worries, Tony. I appreciate you making the time. We've got a lot to discuss."

He nodded, his eyes scanning the room. "I see you've gathered quite the team. What's the situation?"

Catherine gestured for everyone to take a seat. "We've uncovered a corruption scandal involving a high-ranking FBI agent. There are links to organized crime, and we need to gather more evidence before things escalate."

Tony leaned forward, his expression serious. "What do you have so far?"

Catherine pulled out the files she had compiled. "This includes everything from witness statements to financial records. The key is connecting the dots between the agent and the criminal activities."

As they went through the documents, Tony interjected with insights, his military experience giving him a unique perspective on the operations they were up against. "If we can confirm these links, we can approach this strategically. We need to ensure we're not walking into a trap."

Isaac watched the exchange, impressed by their synergy. "What's the next step?" he asked.

Tony leaned back, crossing his arms thoughtfully. "We'll need to surveil the agent, track their movements, and identify any associates. We can set up a tactical team to provide backup if things go sideways."

Catherine's heart raced at the thought of putting their plan into action. "Let's get started. Time is of the essence."

The team sprang into action, the air charged with a sense of purpose and urgency.

The team quickly divided responsibilities, each member slipping into their roles with practiced efficiency.

Catherine and Tony started by mapping out the FBI agent's daily routine, looking for patterns that might reveal vulnerabilities. They accessed surveillance footage from various locations the agent frequented, noting every interaction with known criminals.

"Here," Tony pointed at a clip on the screen. "That's the agent meeting with a suspected drug dealer. If we can trace this back to the transactions, we might have something solid."

Catherine nodded, her mind racing. "Let's enhance the footage and run facial recognition on the other people present. We need every piece of information we can get."

Meanwhile, Isaac coordinated with his men, gathering intel on the agent's known associates. "We'll set up a perimeter around the agent's home and office," he instructed. "I want eyes on them at all times."

As the hours passed, the atmosphere in the headquarters shifted from tension to determination. Everyone understood the stakes; this wasn't just about the case—it was about justice for those affected by corruption.

Catherine stepped out for a moment, needing to clear her head. She walked into the training area, where she found some of Isaac's men practicing. The sounds of punches hitting pads and the clatter of weights filled the air. She picked up a set of gloves and joined in, letting the physical exertion ground her.

"Need to blow off some steam?" Tony asked, leaning against the wall with a grin.

"Just keeping my head clear," she replied, landing a few powerful punches. "This isn't just a job for me anymore. It's personal."