The taxi pulled up outside a car rental ce on the edge of town. Sofia paid, got out, and headed straight for the front desk.


    "I need to rent a car with a driver. As soon as possible."


    The guy at the counter nced up, saw how urgent she looked, and didn''t waste a second. "Sure, what kind of car do you want? And how long will you need it?"


    "Anything that can carry people. Three days," Sofia replied. She waved him off, her eyes already scanning the lobby.


    "Alright, just a moment. I''ll set it up for you." The clerk grabbed the phone and started making calls right away.


    A few minutester, a ck van rolled up from the back of the lot. The driver was a man in his forties, sturdy-looking, dressed in thepany uniform.


    Sofia hurried over, opened the passenger door, and slid into the front seat. She kept her voice low as she gave the address. "Take me to the alley behind the city hospital. We''re picking someone up."


    The driver nodded. "Okay."


    “Oh, right.” Sofia paused, pulled out her phone, and snapped a picture of the license te. "Give me your phone number," she said.


    He recited it, and Sofia saved it quickly. She tapped out a text, sending the te number and the driver''s contact straight to Nathaniel.


    Everything felt airtight. She''d used a fake name for the rental, paid with an anonymous ount, and hadn''t left a single clue behind. In her mind, the n was already working. Nathaniel would get what he needed from the warehouse, use it to fight his way back, and help her finally get a solid footing at Meyer Group.


    She had no idea she was being watched. Not far away, a in ck sedan sat quietly at the curb. Inside, a inclothes cop kept close track of her every move.


    Mr. Marsh, sitting in the driver''s seat, spoke quietly into his radio.


    "Target is renting a car, driver included. Looks like she''s going to pick someone up. Should we move in and arrest now?"


    The radio crackled for a few


    seconds before his boss replied, calm and steady. "Not yet. We just got word Nathaniel is probably heading to Pier 3 west side of Brookfield. Don''t do anything to tip her off. Follow her, see if she picks up Nathaniel, and confirm if they''re headed for Brookfield."


    "Yes, sir." Mr. Marsh answered.


    Sofia watched the driver calmly steer the van through traffic. Her confidence grew. She was sure this time she''d pull it off.


    As the van pulled away from the rental ce, Mr. Marsh shot a nce at his partner in the passenger seat.


    "Go in and see what you can find out. I''ll keep tailing her."


    His partner nodded, got out, and walked inside the agency like just another customer. He headed- straight for the counter and smiled at the same guy who had helped Sofia.


    "Hi, I''m looking to rent a car, preferably with a driver. Something that can handle a


    long trip. Do you have anything like that?"


    "Absolutely, the clerk said, eager to


    help. "Thedy just before you


    dour


    rented our seven-seater van. Lots of


    space veryfortable. If youre


    interested, I can set you up right now."


    "No rush," the officer replied, waving him off, making it look casual. "Just asking around for now."


    "I''m thinking about taking my family on a trip. It''s a long way. Are your drivers okay with going that far?"


    "Of course. We cover the driver''s expenses for the trip."