I stepped to the door and heard Agent Kravitz say to Timmy, “We will look into the need for filing any charges for assault on any of the men or women working here.”

I couldn’t help the snort that came out as I said, “Good luck with that.” The truth was this woman did scare me a little bit. The whole situation was scary. No one would judge this as normal.

She looked at me and said, “I think you would do well to remain silent, Mr. Mitchum.”

She used the phrase “remain silent” instead of “be quiet.” She knew her shit, and she knew how to intimidate.

Watching the assholes I had tangled with walk freely toward the SUVs, I just couldn’t keep my mouth shut. I leaned out the door, shaking off Natty and Bailey Mae, who tried to stop me. “This is bullshit! He’s a murderer and people are not going to stand for it. We won’t forget this.”

Agent Kravitz didn’t even turn around. She just called over her shoulder, “Neither will we.”

When I turned, Bailey Mae darted into my arms. I squeezed her just to make sure it wasn’t a dream. This was real. She was why I was here. But now I had other responsibilities.

Turning, I looked at the group of men we had rescued. I wasn’t about to leave until I was certain they were safe. Timmy looked completely flummoxed but was starting to organize the stunned emergency workers again after everything had come to a halt when the feds showed up.

Three ambulances had pulled in. The injured woman had already been taken away by Homeland Security.

“Timmy,” I said, “let’s get three men into each ambulance and then a couple with each paramedic. We need to get them checked out.”

“Yeah, good idea, Mitchum.”

I didn’t want to make it look like I was giving orders, but we had to get moving.

Hassan paused before he followed a paramedic out the door. He held out his hand, and when I took it, he said, “We will not forget this, my friend. What you did took great courage. Bailey Mae is lucky to have a cousin like you.”

I gave him a smile and nod as I shook his hand.

Some of the others waved and shouted their thanks until it was just Timmy, Natty, Bailey Mae, and me.

“What do you think will happen to the people the feds took?”

Timmy shrugged. “I never saw anything like that. The sheriff told me they were legit and I had to let them take the prisoners. I hope they take action.”

I slapped Timmy on the back as we walked toward our cars down at the front of the property. “You’re a good man, Timmy.” I thought he was naive, but his heart was in the right place and that was important to me.