The Cold Case
Detective Emma Stone had always been drawn to the unsolved cases that cluttered the precinct’s archives. There was something about the unfinished stories, the unanswered questions, that compelled her to dig deeper. On a rainy afternoon, as the sound of droplets hitting the window created a rhythmic distraction, Emma found herself sifting through old files once again.
Among the yellowed papers and faded photographs, one case caught her eye: the mysterious disappearance of Daniel Hawthorne, a local journalist, ten years ago. The case had gone cold, with no leads and no closure for the family. Emma, intrigued by the scant details, decided to take another look.
The initial investigation had been thorough but yielded little. Daniel had vanished without a trace after working late one night at the Gazette. His car was found parked a few blocks away, but there were no signs of struggle or clues to his whereabouts. Emma noted the desperation in the eyes of Daniel’s parents in the old interview transcripts. They had never given up hope, despite the lack of progress.
Determined to bring some semblance of resolution, Emma began her own investigation. She visited the Gazette, hoping to uncover something the original detectives might have missed. The office had changed over the years, but a few of Daniel’s old colleagues were still around. She spoke to Mary, the secretary, who remembered Daniel as a dedicated journalist with a nose for trouble.
“He was working on something big before he disappeared,” Mary recalled, her eyes distant as she tried to remember. “He didn’t talk much about it, but I could tell it was important. He was always on edge, looking over his shoulder.”
Emma’s curiosity was piqued. What could Daniel have been working on that was so dangerous? She requested access to Daniel’s old desk, now a dusty relic in the Gazette’s storage room. As she rummaged through the drawers, she found notebooks filled with cryptic notes and half-written articles. One word kept appearing: “Horizon.”
The First Lead
“Horizon?” Emma mused aloud. “What could that mean?”
With no clear answer, she decided to dig deeper into Daniel’s last days. She visited his favorite haunts, talked to people who knew him, and pored over his published articles. A pattern began to emerge. Daniel had been investigating a series of seemingly unrelated incidents: small-time crimes, disappearances, and unexplained deaths. Each incident, on its own, seemed insignificant. But together, they painted a picture of something larger, something sinister.
Emma’s breakthrough came when she discovered an old photograph tucked away in one of Daniel’s notebooks. It was a group photo taken at a charity event, with Daniel standing next to a man Emma recognized: Victor Drake, a powerful businessman with a spotless public image but rumored ties to the criminal underworld.
Victor Drake’s name had come up in several of Daniel’s articles, always in connection to shady dealings and corruption. Emma realized that Daniel had been on the verge of exposing something monumental, and that revelation might have cost him his life.
Uncovering Secrets
Emma’s investigation took her to the seedy underbelly of the city, where Drake’s influence was strongest. She knew she had to tread carefully; Drake was not a man to be trifled with. She began by interviewing people on the fringes of his empire: former employees, competitors, and victims of his schemes. Slowly, a clearer picture began to form. Drake’s business ventures were a front for a vast network of illegal activities, from money laundering to human trafficking.
One night, while reviewing her notes at a dimly lit café, Emma was approached by a nervous young man. He introduced himself as Sam, a former employee of Drake’s who had fled after witnessing something he shouldn’t have.
“They’re always watching,” Sam whispered, his eyes darting around the room. “But I can’t stay silent anymore. Daniel came to me before he disappeared. He was close to finding out the truth about Horizon.”
Emma leaned in, her heart pounding. “What is Horizon?”
“It’s a code name,” Sam explained. “For a project Drake’s been working on for years. It’s massive, and if the public knew about it, it would bring down his entire empire. Daniel had proof, but he hid it before they got to him.”
Emma’s mind raced. If she could find this proof, she could not only solve Daniel’s disappearance but also dismantle Drake’s criminal operations. Sam provided her with a lead: a storage unit Daniel had rented under an alias. It was a risky move, but Emma knew she had to take it.
The next day, she visited the storage facility and located the unit. Inside, she found boxes of documents, photographs, and a flash drive. As she sifted through the evidence, the full scope of Horizon became clear. It was a clandestine operation involving high-level officials, police officers, and businessmen, all working together to exploit the city’s resources for their gain.
The Hidden Clue
Among the files, Emma found a hidden compartment containing Daniel’s journal. It detailed his investigation, his fears, and his determination to expose the truth. One entry stood out: “Meeting a source tonight. If anything happens to me, follow the clues in the journal. The truth must come out.”
Emma felt a chill run down her spine. She was close, but she knew she was also in danger. As she prepared to leave, she heard footsteps outside the unit. Heart pounding, she quickly hid the flash drive and journal in her bag.
The door creaked open, and two men entered, their faces obscured by shadows. Emma recognized them as Drake’s enforcers. She had to act fast.
With a swift movement, she knocked over a stack of boxes, creating a diversion. As the men stumbled, she slipped out of the unit and ran. She could hear them shouting behind her, but she didn’t look back. She had the evidence she needed, and now it was a race against time to bring it to light.
The Chase
Emma’s heart raced as she bolted down the narrow alleyways, her mind sharp despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins. She needed to lose Drake’s enforcers and get to a safe place where she could examine the evidence. The streets were a labyrinth, but Emma knew the city well. She ducked into a side street, leaped over a fence, and slipped through the back entrance of an old bakery.
Inside, the smell of freshly baked bread mingled with the dampness of the rain-soaked alley. The elderly baker, Mr. Rosso, looked up from his work, surprise flickering in his eyes.
“Detective Stone, what are you doing here?” he asked, his voice a low whisper.
“I need a place to hide, Mr. Rosso,” Emma replied, glancing nervously at the door.
Mr. Rosso nodded, motioning her towards a back room. “Stay here. I’ll handle anyone who comes looking.”
Emma thanked him and settled into the small room, her back against the wall. She took a deep breath and pulled out the flash drive and journal. The room’s single lightbulb cast a yellowish glow on the pages as she started reading through Daniel’s meticulous notes.
The Deeper Conspiracy
The journal entries painted a chilling picture. Daniel had uncovered a series of connections that led him to believe Horizon was more than just a code name. It was a multi-layered conspiracy involving human trafficking, political corruption, and industrial espionage. The flash drive contained encrypted files that Daniel had managed to download from Drake’s servers, but he hadn’t cracked the code before he disappeared.
Emma knew she needed help to decrypt the files. She called her trusted friend, Alex Turner, a cybersecurity expert who had helped her on previous cases. Alex agreed to meet her at a secure location. Emma made her way to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city, a place they had used before for clandestine meetings.
When she arrived, Alex was already there, setting up his laptop. He was a tall, wiry man with a sharp mind and a knack for solving complex puzzles.
“Emma, you look like you’ve been through hell,” Alex remarked, concern in his eyes.
“I’ve got something big, Alex. Daniel’s notes and this flash drive. Can you decrypt it?” Emma handed him the drive.
Alex plugged it in and began working his magic. Minutes felt like hours as Emma paced the room, her thoughts racing. She had a feeling that whatever was on that drive could blow the case wide open.
Finally, Alex looked up, his face pale. “Emma, you need to see this.”
The Evidence Unveiled
The decrypted files revealed detailed plans for Horizon. It was a large-scale human trafficking operation disguised as a humanitarian aid organization. Drake and his associates were using their influence to smuggle people in and out of the country, exploiting them for labor and other nefarious purposes. The documents included names, locations, and transactions, implicating several high-profile individuals.
Emma’s hands trembled as she scrolled through the evidence. This was it. This was what Daniel had died for. But bringing this information to light would not be easy. Drake had powerful allies, and if they sensed a threat, they would stop at nothing to protect themselves.
“We need to get this to the authorities,” Emma said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.
“Not so fast,” Alex cautioned. “We need to ensure this information gets to someone we can trust. If we hand it over to the wrong person, it could disappear, and we’d be next on their list.”
Emma nodded. “I know just the person. Lieutenant Sarah Blake. She’s clean and has been itching to bring down people like Drake for years.”
A Plan in Motion
With a plan in mind, Emma and Alex set out to meet Lieutenant Blake. They arranged a secret meeting at a secure location, a small cabin in the woods outside the city. As they drove, Emma couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. She constantly checked the rearview mirror, but there were no signs of pursuit.
When they arrived at the cabin, Blake was already there, a stern look on her face. She was a seasoned officer with a reputation for integrity and a deep-seated hatred for corruption.
“Emma, this better be good,” Blake said as they sat down at the wooden table inside the cabin.
“It is,” Emma replied, handing over the journal and the decrypted files. “This is everything Daniel was working on. Horizon is a human trafficking ring run by Victor Drake. We have proof.”
Blake’s eyes widened as she skimmed through the documents. “This is… this is huge. We need to act fast. But we can’t trust anyone in the department until we have Drake in custody.”
They formulated a plan to raid one of Drake’s main facilities, using the element of surprise to their advantage. Blake would assemble a small, trusted team to carry out the operation, while Emma and Alex continued gathering evidence to ensure an airtight case.
The Raid
The night of the raid, Emma’s nerves were on edge. She and Alex had set up a remote command center in an abandoned building near the target location, monitoring communications and coordinating with Blake’s team. The plan was to hit Drake’s warehouse, where they believed a shipment of trafficked individuals was set to arrive.
Blake’s team moved in swiftly, taking out the guards and securing the perimeter. Emma watched through the surveillance feed as they breached the main entrance, guns drawn. Inside, they found dozens of frightened people, packed into small cages.
“We’ve got them,” Blake’s voice crackled over the radio. “But no sign of Drake.”
Emma’s heart sank. They needed Drake to truly dismantle the operation. Suddenly, Alex’s screen lit up with an alert.
“Emma, I’ve got something. There’s another location, a safe house. Drake’s there.”
Without hesitation, Emma grabbed her gear. “I’m going in.”
“Emma, wait,” Alex called after her, but she was already out the door.
The Confrontation
Emma approached the safe house with caution. It was a secluded mansion on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by tall fences and security cameras. She scaled the fence and slipped through the shadows, her heart pounding. Inside, she could hear voices, and she followed the sound to a dimly lit room.
There he was, Victor Drake, sitting at a desk with a laptop, flanked by two bodyguards. Emma drew her gun and stepped into the light.
“Drake, it’s over,” she said, her voice cold and steady.
Drake looked up, a sneer on his face. “Detective Stone. You’ve been quite the nuisance. But you won’t leave here alive.”
Before Emma could react, the bodyguards lunged at her. She fired, taking one down, but the other tackled her to the ground. They struggled, and Emma managed to disarm him with a swift kick, but Drake was already on the move.
She chased him through the mansion, her footsteps echoing in the empty halls. Finally, she cornered him in a room filled with antique furniture and old paintings.
“It’s over, Drake,” she repeated, her gun trained on him.
Drake laughed, a cold, hollow sound. “You think you’ve won? There are others. They’ll come for you.”
“Maybe,” Emma replied. “But you’re going down first.”
Before she could pull the trigger, Drake lunged at her. They struggled, and Emma felt a sharp pain as he slashed her arm with a hidden knife. She gritted her teeth and fought back, finally overpowering him and knocking him to the ground.
As she stood over him, breathing heavily, she heard sirens in the distance. Blake’s team was on the way. Emma cuffed Drake and waited, the weight of the evidence and the pain in her arm grounding her in the reality of what they’d achieved.
The Aftermath
With Drake in custody and the evidence secured, the news broke the next day. Headlines screamed of the scandal, the arrests, and the bravery of Detective Emma Stone. The city was in shock, but there was also a sense of relief. The conspiracy had been exposed, and justice was finally within reach.
Emma stood in front of Daniel’s grave, a sense of closure washing over her. She placed a single white rose on the headstone, her promise to him fulfilled.
“You did it, Daniel,” she whispered. “We did it.”
As she walked away, her phone buzzed with a message from Alex. “Got a new lead. Another case. Interested?”
Emma smiled. The job was never done, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. She texted back, “Always.”
A New Mystery
A week had passed since the takedown of Victor Drake, and the city was still reeling from the revelations. Detective Emma Stone had become something of a local hero, though she shunned the spotlight, preferring to focus on her work. She knew that Drake’s arrest was only the beginning. His empire was vast, and many of his associates were still at large.
Emma was back at her desk, sorting through the new influx of cases. Despite the chaos, she found a strange sense of normalcy in the routine. Her phone buzzed with a text from Alex: “Meet me at the usual place. Got something interesting.”
Intrigued, Emma grabbed her coat and headed to their favorite café. When she arrived, Alex was already seated, a manila folder in front of him.
“What’s this about?” Emma asked, sitting down.
Alex slid the folder over to her. “Remember the lead I mentioned? It’s connected to Horizon. There’s a bigger network at play here, and I think we only scratched the surface.”
Emma opened the folder and skimmed through the documents. It contained information about a series of recent disappearances, all linked to a shadowy organization known as “The Syndicate.”
“The Syndicate?” Emma raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like something out of a bad spy novel.”
Alex nodded. “I know, but these guys are real, and they’re dangerous. They’re involved in everything from trafficking to political assassinations. Drake was just a pawn.”
The First Clue
Emma’s determination flared anew. She knew she couldn’t let this rest. “Where do we start?”
Alex pointed to a name on the list of the disappeared: Dr. Evelyn Harper, a renowned geneticist. “She went missing two weeks ago. No ransom, no demands. She was working on something classified, and I think it caught The Syndicate’s attention.”
Emma recognized the name. Dr. Harper was a pioneer in genetic research, often in the news for her breakthroughs. If The Syndicate had her, it meant they were after something big.
“We need to find out what she was working on,” Emma said, closing the folder. “Let’s pay a visit to her lab.”
The Lab Break-in
That night, Emma and Alex made their way to the state-of-the-art research facility where Dr. Harper worked. They knew it wouldn’t be easy to get in, but Alex’s hacking skills proved invaluable. He disabled the security systems, and they slipped inside unnoticed.
The lab was eerily quiet, the hum of machinery the only sound. They found Dr. Harper’s office and began searching for clues. Her desk was meticulously organized, but a locked drawer caught Emma’s attention. Using a set of lockpicks, she quickly had it open.
Inside, they found a notebook filled with complex equations and diagrams. Emma couldn’t make sense of it, but she knew someone who could.
“We need to get this to Professor Langford,” Emma said, referring to a former mentor and expert in genetic engineering.
As they left the lab, they heard footsteps approaching. Ducking behind a row of lab benches, they watched as two men in dark suits entered, their expressions tense.
“Search the place,” one of them ordered. “We need to find Harper’s research.”
Emma and Alex exchanged a glance. They had to move quickly. Silently, they made their way to the exit, narrowly avoiding detection.
The Professor’s Insight
The next morning, Emma and Alex met Professor Langford at his university office. The elderly professor greeted them warmly, his eyes twinkling with curiosity.
“Emma, it’s been too long,” he said, shaking her hand. “What brings you here?”
“We need your help, Professor,” Emma replied, handing him Dr. Harper’s notebook. “Can you make sense of this?”
Langford adjusted his glasses and began to examine the pages. After a few minutes, he looked up, his expression serious.
“This is groundbreaking work,” he said. “Dr. Harper was on the verge of a major breakthrough in genetic modification. If The Syndicate has her, they could use this research for something catastrophic.”
Emma felt a chill. “What exactly was she working on?”
Langford sighed. “It’s a formula for altering human DNA, potentially creating individuals with enhanced abilities. In the wrong hands, it could be weaponized.”
The Hidden Laboratory
Armed with this new information, Emma and Alex knew they had to find Dr. Harper before it was too late. They traced her last known movements to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city, a place rumored to be a front for The Syndicate’s operations.
They approached the warehouse under the cover of darkness, slipping inside through a broken window. The interior was a maze of crates and machinery, and they moved cautiously, aware of the danger lurking around every corner.
In the center of the warehouse, they found a hidden staircase leading to an underground facility. The air was cold and damp as they descended, their footsteps echoing in the narrow stairwell. At the bottom, they encountered a high-tech laboratory, its walls lined with monitors and scientific equipment.
Dr. Harper was there, her face pale and drawn. She was working under duress, guarded by several armed men. Emma and Alex exchanged a look, knowing they had to act quickly.
The Rescue
Emma formulated a plan. Alex would create a distraction by hacking into the facility’s security system, causing a blackout. Meanwhile, Emma would move in and rescue Dr. Harper. It was risky, but they had no other choice.
Alex found a terminal and went to work. Within minutes, the lights flickered and went out, plunging the lab into darkness. Alarms blared, and the guards scrambled to restore order.
Emma moved swiftly, taking out the guards one by one. She reached Dr. Harper, who looked up in surprise.
“Detective Stone?” Harper whispered. “How did you—”
“No time to explain,” Emma replied, helping her to her feet. “We need to get you out of here.”
As they made their way to the exit, more guards appeared. Emma fought them off, her determination fueling her strength. They reached the staircase, and Alex joined them, his face lit by the glow of his laptop.
“Come on, let’s go!” he urged.
They ascended the stairs and emerged into the night, the warehouse behind them alive with chaos. Emma felt a surge of relief as they reached their car, but she knew the danger was far from over.
The Aftermath
Back at a safe house, Dr. Harper explained the full scope of her research. The Syndicate had been planning to use her formula to create a new breed of super-soldiers, individuals with enhanced strength, speed, and intelligence. It was a terrifying prospect, and they needed to stop it.
With the information Dr. Harper provided, Emma and Alex began to dismantle The Syndicate’s operations. They worked tirelessly, uncovering safe houses, laboratories, and hidden caches of weapons. Each victory brought them closer to taking down the entire organization.
But The Syndicate was vast and deeply entrenched. Emma knew they would need more than just a few successful raids to bring it down completely. They needed to find the leader, the person orchestrating everything from the shadows.
The New Target
Their investigation led them to a name: Marcus Voss, a reclusive billionaire with a reputation for philanthropy. On the surface, he appeared to be a legitimate businessman, but Emma knew better. She had seen the same pattern with Drake.
Voss was hosting a gala in a week’s time, a perfect opportunity to gather intelligence and possibly confront him. Emma and Alex began preparing for the event, knowing it would be their most dangerous mission yet.
Emma donned a sleek evening gown, her gun concealed beneath the flowing fabric. Alex posed as her date, a hidden earpiece allowing them to communicate discreetly. As they entered the opulent ballroom, the scale of the challenge ahead became clear.
The room was filled with the city’s elite, politicians, businessmen, and celebrities, all mingling under the glittering chandeliers. Voss stood at the center, a picture of charm and sophistication. But behind his smile, Emma could sense the darkness.
They mingled with the crowd, gathering snippets of conversation and observing the interactions. Emma’s heart pounded as she moved closer to Voss, her mind racing with the possibilities.
Finally, she saw her chance. Voss stepped away from the crowd, heading towards a private room. Emma followed, her nerves taut. This was it—the moment of truth.
She slipped into the room behind him, closing the door quietly. Voss turned, his eyes narrowing as he recognized her.
“Detective Stone,” he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. “I must say, I’m impressed. But you’re in over your head.”
“We’ll see about that,” Emma replied, her voice steady. “It’s over, Voss. We have enough evidence to bring you down.”
Voss laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. “Do you really think it’s that simple? I have connections, power. You can’t touch me.”
Emma felt a surge of anger, but she kept her composure. “Maybe not alone. But I’m not alone. And we’ve taken down bigger fish than you.”
Before Voss could react, the door burst open, and Blake’s team stormed in, weapons drawn. Voss’s face twisted in rage as they cuffed him, but Emma felt a sense of triumph. They had done it. They had brought down The Syndicate’s leader.
The Climax
The aftermath was a whirlwind of activity. Voss’s arrest sent shockwaves through the city, and the authorities moved quickly to dismantle the remnants of The Syndicate. Emma and Alex provided crucial evidence, ensuring that the network was thoroughly exposed.
Dr. Harper resumed her research, this time with the protection and support of the government. Her work would be used for good, advancing medical science rather than fueling a criminal empire.
As the dust settled, Emma took a moment to reflect. The journey had been long and fraught with danger, but they had prevailed. She felt a deep sense of satisfaction, knowing they had made a real difference.
One evening, as the city skyline glowed in the sunset, Emma met Alex at their favorite café. They sat in companionable silence, sipping their drinks and savoring the victory.
“What’s next?” Alex asked, a hint of a smile on his lips.
Emma grinned. “I don’t know. But whatever it is, we’ll face it together.”
Alex raised his glass. “To justice. And to us.”
Emma clinked her glass against his, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. The fight against corruption and crime would never truly be over, but with allies like Alex and Blake, she knew they could handle whatever came their way.
And as the night drew on, they sat together, ready for the next challenge, the next mystery, and the next adventure.
A New Beginning
Emma felt a sense of calm as she looked out over the city. The Syndicate had been dismantled, and Victor Drake and Marcus Voss were behind bars. It was a victory, but Emma knew there would always be more work to do. The city had many dark corners, and she was determined to shine a light on them.
One morning, as Emma was getting ready for another day at the precinct, she received a call from Lieutenant Blake.
“Emma, we need you down here,” Blake said, her voice tense. “There’s been another disappearance. It’s… unusual.”
Emma’s heart sank. Just when she thought things were settling down. “I’ll be right there.”
When she arrived at the precinct, Blake filled her in. A prominent scientist, Dr. Leonard Watts, had gone missing. He was known for his work in quantum physics and had recently made headlines with a groundbreaking discovery. The circumstances of his disappearance were eerily similar to those surrounding Dr. Harper.
Emma’s mind raced. Was this connected to The Syndicate, or was it something new? She needed to find out.
The Investigation Begins
Emma and Alex visited Dr. Watts’ home and lab, searching for clues. They spoke to his colleagues and friends, trying to piece together his last movements. It quickly became clear that Dr. Watts had been working on something highly confidential, something that could have far-reaching implications.
At his lab, they discovered encrypted files and a hidden journal. Alex got to work on decrypting the files while Emma read through the journal. Dr. Watts had been experimenting with quantum entanglement, exploring the possibility of instantaneous communication across vast distances. If successful, his work could revolutionize technology and communication.
As Emma delved deeper, she found references to a shadowy organization known as “The Order.” Dr. Watts had become increasingly paranoid, convinced that The Order was after his research. Emma’s instincts told her that this was more than just a simple disappearance.
The Order Revealed
The decrypted files revealed a network of operatives, similar to The Syndicate, but even more secretive and dangerous. The Order had been monitoring Dr. Watts for months, and it seemed they had finally made their move.
Emma and Alex knew they needed to act fast. They traced The Order’s activities to an abandoned mansion outside the city, a place that had been used for secret meetings and experiments. With Blake’s help, they organized a raid.
The mansion was heavily guarded, but Emma and her team moved in with precision and determination. They encountered resistance, but they fought their way through, determined to find Dr. Watts.
In the basement, they found a high-tech laboratory. Dr. Watts was there, strapped to a chair, unconscious but alive. They quickly freed him and secured the area.
As Dr. Watts regained consciousness, he looked at Emma with a mixture of fear and gratitude. “You… you found me.”
“You’re safe now,” Emma reassured him. “But we need to know everything about The Order and what they want with your research.”
The Final Confrontation
Dr. Watts explained that The Order was after his work because it could give them a significant advantage in espionage and covert operations. They wanted to use his technology to create an untraceable communication network, making it nearly impossible for authorities to track their activities.
With this information, Emma and Blake devised a plan to take down The Order. They used the data they had gathered to locate their headquarters and planned a coordinated strike.
The final confrontation was intense. Emma and her team stormed The Order’s headquarters, encountering heavy resistance. The battle was fierce, but they were prepared. They fought their way through, taking down operatives and securing crucial evidence.
In the heart of the headquarters, Emma confronted the leader of The Order, a man known only as “The Architect.” He was a cold, calculating figure, with a mind as sharp as a blade.
“You think you can stop us?” The Architect sneered. “We’re everywhere.”
Emma leveled her gun at him. “Not anymore.”
The Architect lunged at her, and they struggled. Emma’s training and determination gave her the edge, and she managed to overpower him, securing the final piece of the puzzle.
The Aftermath
With The Order dismantled, the city could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Dr. Watts resumed his work, this time with the full support and protection of the government. His research would be used for the betterment of society, not for nefarious purposes.
Emma, Alex, and Blake stood together, knowing they had once again triumphed over darkness. The city was safer, thanks to their efforts, but they knew there would always be more challenges ahead.
One evening, as they sat together in their favorite café, Emma reflected on the journey they had been on. They had faced danger and uncertainty, but they had emerged stronger and more united.
“What’s next?” Alex asked, echoing his earlier question.
Emma smiled, a sense of purpose in her eyes. “Whatever comes our way, we’ll face it together.”
Alex raised his glass. “To justice. And to us.”
They clinked their glasses, ready for whatever the future held.
