Jacob Sterling's Arc

Chapter 2 of 2

Jacob stepped through the doorway of the secure building. The lock clicked behind him—solid and reassuring. He needed to learn the layout fast. Every exit, every window, every weak point mattered. His paws moved quickly across the polished floor as he checked each room. The walls were thick. The windows had metal reinforcements. This place could keep Eva safe, but only if he understood it completely. He pulled out his notebook and began sketching a rough map. Each hallway got marked. Each door got labeled. Protection started with preparation. The notebook page turned. Jacob wrote down his next task: research the forger. He needed facts, not rumors. The Law Enforcement Department would have criminal records and case files. Jacob grabbed his coat and headed out into the morning streets. The stone and steel building stood three blocks away. Inside, files lined metal shelves in neat rows. Jacob explained his situation to the clerk at the desk. She led him to a reading room and returned with a thick folder. His eyes scanned page after page. Methods, patterns, past victims—it all went into his notebook. Back at the safe house, Jacob studied the exterior walls. The forger could strike at night when visibility dropped. He spotted a pole light near the entrance and tested it. He walked toward it slowly. The light flicked on automatically as he approached. Good. Anyone coming close after dark would trigger it. Jacob would hear the click and see the glow from inside. Early warning could save Eva's life. Water would be critical if they had to stay inside for days. Jacob examined two small tanks sitting in the yard—one blue, one yellow. He filled them both from the outdoor tap and checked the seals. Clean water meant they could survive a lockdown without leaving. Jacob locked the notebook in his desk drawer and checked the windows one more time. The forger was out there somewhere, but this place was ready. Eva would arrive tomorrow, and Jacob would be waiting.