Chapter 6 - Chapter 6: The Unlikely Ally

The shadow stepped forward, and Ethan's finger tightened on the trigger. A woman emerged, her hands raised, a pistol aimed at his chest. She was lean, with dark hair and a scar cutting across her cheek. "Don't shoot," she said, her voice steady. "I'm not with Moretti.""Then who are you?" Ethan snapped, his aim unwavering."Sarah Kane," she replied, lowering her gun slightly. "Detective. Ex-detective, technically. Moretti had my husband, David, killed. I've been hunting him ever since." She glanced at Sarah beside him, confusion flickering in her eyes. "You're not the only one after him."Ethan lowered his weapon, but only just. "You're late to the party. She's already with me." He nodded toward Sarah, who stepped forward."We're on the same side," Sarah said. "Ethan's sister was just murdered by Moretti's men. We're taking him down. You in?"The new Sarah hesitated, then holstered her gun. "Yeah. I'm in. David left a file on Moretti, evidence that could bury him. Problem is, I don't know where it is. He hid it before they got him."Ethan exchanged a look with his Sarah. "Then we find it," he said. "Anything that hurts Moretti, I'm game."The three of them stood in the wrecked safehouse, an uneasy alliance forming. Sarah Kane spoke up again. "If we get that file, we can end him for good. But we need to move fast. He'll know we're coming."As they planned their next step, a shadow moved outside the broken window. Ethan caught it out of the corner of his eye, his instincts screaming. "We've got company," he muttered, raising his gun again. Someone was closing in.