Page 132 of What We Don't Say: Part Two

“What part?” he asks.

“The commands, the heat decisions, and the statements Garrett made about Callie’s place in the pack.” Zana’s tone remains direct without becoming harsh. “You can provide a written statement, speak to the investigator, or do both. I will prepare you before any interview, and you may stop at any time.”

Theo looks at Callie. She does not answer for him or tell him what would help the case.

“He used commands when I asked for her,” Theo says, his voice soft but clear. “He told me I was confused because I was close to heat. He said she was making me unstable.”

Zana writes something down. “Are you willing to include that in a formal statement?”

“Yes.” Theo’s hand closes around mine while his other remains beneath Callie’s. “I want them to know he spoke for me when I was trying to speak.”

Pride moves through Callie so strongly that the bond warms across my chest. Sloane feels it too, his affection pressing against all of us as he leans close enough to kiss Theo’s hair.

Zana does not praise Theo or turn his choice into a lesson. She gives him the next practical step and promises to send a draft that uses his own words.

Kade moves to the security portion of the call. The house network has already been isolated from the system Garrett accessed, but the filing will alert him that the case has advanced. Exterior coverage needs to be extended along the rear entrance and the older service door near the lockoff.

Dash shifts toward the laptop. “I can install another camera at the service door tonight.”

“I will review the placement first,” Kade says. “There is a blind angle from the eastern fence that needs to be covered without pointing into the neighbor’s property.”

Sloane looks at me. The urge to handle every detail ourselves passes between us, but Callie is already leaning forward.

“Will any of the new cameras record inside the house?” she asks.

“No,” Kade says. “Exterior approaches only. Nothing in the living spaces, and nothing added without everyone here agreeing to it.”

Callie relaxes, and I feel the change immediately. Theo does too, his shoulder settling beneath my hand.

Dash’s section on Callie’s bracelet lights while he remains beside the coffee table. She looks down at it, then toward him.

He has one hand in his pocket, touching his paired piece while he listens to Kade describe the rear coverage. When he realizes she has noticed, he does not pull his hand away or pretend the contact was accidental.

Callie smiles at him. The warmth that moves through her has no bond to carry into Dash, but his expression softens as though he feels it anyway.

Zana finishes by confirming the next morning’s filing time. Callie will receive the final packet tonight, Theo’s draft statement will follow, and the investigator has agreed to preserve the assistant’s device before Garrett can reach it.

“There is one more point,” Zana says. “Once the filing is accepted, Garrett may become less predictable. He has already lost access to Bellwether, and Crane and Vale placed him on administrative leave this afternoon.”

Sloane’s anger flares again. “He still has a license.”

“For the moment,” Zana says. “The bar complaint is separate, but the access logs will be included. Do not contact him,don't respond if he contacts you, and don't assume professional consequences will make him less dangerous.”

The call ends with plans rather than promises. Kade will send the camera layout within the hour, Zana will transmit the records packet, and Dash will coordinate the installation after everyone reviews it.

When the screen goes dark, the room remains quiet for several breaths. Theo leans into my side, and Callie’s concern for him moves through the bond before she turns and kisses his temple.

Sloane reaches for her hand. “Do you want to look at the records tonight?”

Callie considers the question instead of answering quickly. “I want to read them once, mark anything that is wrong, and send them back. Then I don't want Garrett in the rest of the evening.”

“That is what we will do,” I say.

She looks toward me, and the new bond warms between us. There is trust in the feeling, but there is also expectation. She isn't handing the decision over to me; she is waiting to see whether I will honor the one she has made.

I lift her hand and kiss her knuckles. “You choose the documents. We handle the security after.”

The oven timer sounds from the kitchen. Theo raises his head immediately, and Callie’s mouth curves as she pulls her legs from Sloane’s lap. “They need another minute before anyone touches them.”