The woman marched directly to Timmy and flipped open her ID case, showing that she worked for Homeland Security. As if to emphasize her position of power, six men and two women climbed out of the other vehicles, each armed with a different type of automatic weapon. I immediately recognized the unique silhouettes of M16s and saw some more exotic weapons, like a Heckler & Koch, as well as a tricked-out Winchester sniper rifle. None of the agents wore fatigues. Instead, they had on mismatched ski vests and jeans, creating the illusion that they were just like everyone else. But they weren’t. They were all in their mid-thirties and in good shape, and each knew to keep watch on a different area. It was clear they’d had military training.

Timmy was shaken by the show of force and waved the fire rescue people back to their jobs. He even called out, “Let’s make sure we have all of these men transported in the next twenty minutes.” He turned his attention back to the woman and said, “How can I help you Ms.—?”

“Kravitz, Cheryl Kravitz. I’m here to take charge of this scene.”

Timmy Jones showed no sign of backing down. He said, “This is our scene. We have it in hand. Thank you.”

I was impressed with Timmy’s spine. He was a good friend, but not someone you’d usually think of as standing up to the US government.

Agent Kravitz said, “I misspoke. I’m here to take charge of several of the people you have in custody. This is a matter of national security and I do have the authority.” This was a woman who was used to getting what she wanted.

Timmy said, “Who do you want to take?”

Agent Kravitz leaned in the door and surveyed the room. Then she faced him again. “The three men in the kitchen and the injured woman for now.” She looked back inside and added, “We’ll decide how to handle the others after we take the ones in the kitchen.”

“We’re about to transport the woman to the hospital.”

“We’ll take care of any medical needs.” The woman turned and signaled to a man in the closest SUV, who started to walk toward the cabin.

Timmy raised his hands, and I stepped closer to back him up. He said, “One of the men you want to take right now is suspected in a double homicide. The bald guy in the kitchen will be charged with assault. We can take care of both of those matters.”

Agent Kravitz said, “Who did he assault?”

Now I spoke up. “Me.” I reached up and touched my ear, which was still leaking a little blood.

“You call that an assault?”

“He did it with a KA-BAR knife. Maybe that’s attempted murder.”

She gave me a cold stare and said, “And you are . . . ?”

“Mitchum. I came for Bailey Mae.”