Page 57 of Taken from Her
Her phone buzzed with a text from Lavender: Community meeting went well. Everyone feels safer knowing you're handling this.
Diana stared at the message, feeling the weight of trust and expectation. Lavender's complete faith in her professional competence, the community's confidence in her protection, and her team's loyalty and readiness to follow her into high-risk operations.
All of it was dependent on decisions she would make alone, with her badge reflecting afternoon light and her heart carrying more weight than she'd ever thought possible.
Diana's entire team assembled around the rectangular table in the briefing room. Fluorescent lights illuminated tactical maps and surveillance photos while the scent of coffee mixed with nervous anticipation. Diana stood at the front, ready to address her team.
"We have forty-eight hours to neutralize this coordinated threat," Diana began. "Lieutenant Hodges has identified the staging area: warehouse district, minimum six armed suspects. They're prepared for a law enforcement response."
Angela pulled up the building schematics on the wall display. "I’ve identified multiple escape routes and sophisticated communication equipment. They can monitor our approach and will definitely have backup plans."
"What's our entry strategy?" Julia asked, studying the layout.
"We’ll have a coordinated approach from these three directions," Angela replied. "But we need to account for civilian safety protocols if this escalates."
Julia nodded, making notes. "I can coordinate evacuation procedures for the surrounding area and safe house arrangements for any community members at risk."
Morgan opened her laptop. "The federal task force is providing real-time intelligence and communication intercepts. They've confirmed this connects to operations in four other states."
"What kind of technical support can they provide?" Diana asked.
"Surveillance drones, communication jamming capabilities, and evidence collection teams," Morgan replied. "They want detailed documentation for prosecution across multiple jurisdictions."
Michelle consulted her resource charts. "For a full tactical response, we're looking at every available officer, overtime authorization for twelve-hour shifts, and regional backup units."
"What’s the budget impact?" Diana asked.
"Significant, but federal reimbursement covers specialized equipment and overtime costs," Michelle said. "We can sustain operations for seventy-two hours without compromising other duties or operations."
Diana studied the tactical display, seeing how each team member's expertise was shaping a comprehensive response. "Risk assessment for personnel?"
"This is a high-risk operation," Angela said. "Full tactical gear, communication redundancy, and medical teams on standby. But with federal backup and coordinated timing, we can minimize our exposure."
"What are our priorities for community protection?" Diana asked Julia.
"We’re doubling patrols for vulnerable locations, temporarily relocating high-risk people, and establishing communication protocols with community leadership," Julia replied. "We keep them informed without causing panic, and they keep us informed with information gathered through their channels."
Morgan looked up from her technical analysis. "Chief, timing is critical. Intelligence suggests they're planning to relocate tomorrow night. This is our only window."
Diana felt the weight of decision settling around her shoulders. Her team had built a comprehensive operation that balanced tactical necessity with community protection.
"Any questions about the operational scope?" Diana asked.
The room remained silent, confidence in their collaborative planning evident.
"Authorized," Diana said. "Full department commitment and federal coordination. Implementation begins at midnight."
Angela stood, gathering the tactical materials. "Yes, ma'am. All units, detailed briefing in one hour."
Her phone buzzed with another text from Lavender: Café is secured for the evening. Everyone's following safety protocols. We trust you completely.
Diana gathered the operational materials to get ready to go home, feeling the weight of that trust alongside command responsibility. The upcoming operation would test everything:her leadership, her team's competence, her department's innovative approach, and her ability to protect what mattered most.
Diana's apartment felt different at nine o'clock than it ever had before. Tactical gear lay spread across her dining table with precision: Kevlar vest, communication devices, emergency protocols, and maps marked with approach and exit routes. Evening light had been replaced by overhead lighting that turned her usually sterile space into an operational staging area.
Her phone rang as she checked equipment connections for the third time.
"How are you feeling about the operation?" Lavender's voice carried warmth that immediately cut through Diana's focus.
