Andrew’s hands were still shaking, but his focus was razor-sharp. He kept the SUV in sight as it rolled through a yellow light and took another left. “I think they’re heading toward the highway,” he said. A flicker of red-blue lights flashed in his rearview mirror.
Relief flooded him—but then the police cruiser behind him veered off at the next light, heading in the wrong direction. “No—no, they just turned away!” Andrew shouted into the phone. “They missed the turn!” “That’s not possible. Can you still see the vehicle?”
“Yes. Barely. They’re picking up speed.” He pressed harder on the gas. His car rattled in protest. The SUV was three car lengths ahead now, slipping through traffic like it had done this before. Andrew clenched his jaw.
The dispatcher’s voice was still in his ear, giving reassurances, but it all blurred. All he could think about was the look the girl gave him. The number. The way she had waited—risked something—to leave him that signal. And how he couldn’t let her down.