"Yes, sir, no problem."


    The clerk barely hesitated before answering. "Thatdy who just left, she''s heading to Brookfield."


    He added, "Brookfield''s a long way from Bridger Lake, but we still took the job."


    "Alright, got it."


    The officer nodded, satisfied with the answer. He pulled out his phone, pretending to check his messages. "I''ll go talk it over with my wife."


    He left the rental lot, walked briskly back to the ck sedan, and leaned in to report to Mr. Marsh.


    "It''s confirmed. She rented the car to go to Brookfield. That matches what we heard."


    “Chances are, Nathaniel''s reached out to her. She''s probably nning to drive him to warehouse number three at Brookfield to pick something up.”


    Mr. Marsh''s eyes narrowed as he started the engine.


    “I''ll keep tailing Sofia. You call it in to headquarters."


    "If you can, get a team set up near the warehouse before they arrive."


    At the same time, in an alley behind the city hospital, Nathaniel looked at Sofia''s text and the photo of the car''s license te. Some of the anxiety in his chest finally faded.


    He typed back, "Are you sure it''s safe? Anyone following you?"


    Her reply came almost instantly. "Rx, it''s totally safe. I used a fake name to rent the car. Nobody knows it''s me. The driver''s from the agency, he''s solid. Just get in when you see the license te.”


    Nathaniel read her message over and over before letting himself breathe.


    About fifteen minutester, the rumble of an engine echoed down the alley. Nathaniel stood up fast, watching the alley entrance.


    A ck van rolled in, and the license te matched the one Sofia had sent.


    Nathaniel narrowed his eyes, checking the area onest time. Satisfied, he walked quickly to the van, opened the back door, and climbed into the rear seat.


    "Drive."


    The driver looked startled. He nced in the rearview mirror at Nathaniel''s tense face, then kept quiet and started the engine, pulling out of the alley.


    The van raced toward Brookfield.


    Nathaniel said nothing the Whet


    way only opening his eyes. now and then to watch the scenery and make sure no one was following


    He never noticed the unmarked police car trailing them, keeping just enough distance to stay hidden but never letting them out of sight.


    Brookfield.


    Frank got to the docks early, acting on Matthew''s tip. He brought a big police team; hiding them in spots around the warehouse. Every


    entrance, and exit was covered


    Qu


    Surveince cameras had already been set up, scanning every corner of the area.


    "Keep your eyes open," Frank said in a low voice to the officers beside him. "Nathaniel''s dangerous and probably armed. Your safetyes fyrst. Wart until he inside the warehouse and has what hecame for. Then we move. We have to catch him before he slips away again."


    "Yes, sir!” the officers replied together, their faces serious and focused.


    Minutes crawled by. After hours on the road, Nathaniel''s van finally rolled up to Pier


    3.


    The driver parked in an open lot near warehouse three, just like Nathaniel told him.


    "This is good,” Nathaniel said, opening his eyes. "Wait here for me. I''ll grab what I need, and then we''ll head back to Bridger Lake."


    He pushed the door open, stepped out, and quickly scanned the area around him.