The investigation would continue through the records they had recovered and the information still being gathered from the surrounding villages, but Blackwood itself no longer required his immediate presence.
Ryker climbed into the waiting helicopter with Kael following behind him. Below them, the Shadow Guards completed their final checks before boarding the remaining aircraft.
A few minutes later, the helicopters lifted from the clearing one after another, rising above the trees as the last of the afternoon light stretched across Blackwood Village.
Ryker looked down through the window as the village gradually disappeared beneath them.
The work here was finished for the day.
*****************
VICTOR'S POV
Victor was still seated in the hotel suite, working through the files on his laptop, when his phone suddenly rang. He glanced at the screen before answering the call and bringing it to his ear.
"Hello?"
