Victoria stepped closer.
“You think someone inside my company has access.”
“I think someone had information.”
“That's different.”
“Yes.”
“Do you always answer like a lawyer?”
“No.”
Marcus almost smiled.
A distant engine appeared.
Not one of theirs.
Everyone shifted.
Elias looked toward the approaching headlights.
For a moment, they appeared to belong to one vehicle.
Then the road curved.
White body.
High roof.
Cargo van.
Marcus went very still.
One of the guards said, “That's consistent with the vehicle from the gas station.”
The van slowed.
Not dramatically.
Enough.
It passed the disabled SUV on the opposite side of the highway.
Elias watched through the rain.
The driver never turned obviously.
That was what bothered him.
Anyone encountering a cluster of black SUVs, flashing hazards, private security, and a disabled luxury vehicle on a dark highway would look.
Human curiosity was nearly automatic.
The driver stared forward.
The van continued.
Marcus said into his radio, “Get the plate.”
A guard farther down called it out.
The van accelerated.
Marcus's expression changed.
“Local units notified?”
“Yes.”
“Do not pursue. Get it to police.”
Victoria looked at Elias.
“That was them?”
“Maybe.”
“You don't sound convinced.”
“Because seeing a van doesn't prove who is inside it.”
Marcus nodded reluctantly.
“But someone speeding away after our people read the plate matters.”
“Yes.”
Minutes later the plate returned.
Stolen.
Marcus swore softly.
Victoria closed her eyes.
The rain was beginning to weaken.
What had seemed like a bad night was becoming an organized attempt.
Elias looked toward his truck again.
This time Marcus noticed the phone mounted inside.
“You need to call your daughter.”
Elias looked at him.
“What?”
“You've looked at that truck six times.”
Victoria turned.
“You have children?”
“One.”
“How old?”
“Nine.”
“And she's alone?”
“With our neighbor.”
“But waiting.”
“Yes.”
Marcus nodded toward the truck.
“Go.”
Elias hesitated.
“Go.”
For the first time, the command sounded human.
Elias retrieved his phone.
Seven missed calls.
Four from Lena.
Three from Mrs. Alvarez.
His stomach tightened.
He called immediately.
Lena answered on the first ring.
“Dad.”
Her voice was controlled.
Too controlled.
“Hey, bug.”
“You said before dinner.”
“I know.”
“It's almost ten.”
“I know.”
“Mrs. Alvarez made soup.”
“Was it good?”
“No.”
From the background Mrs. Alvarez shouted, “I heard that.”
Elias smiled despite himself.
“I'm sorry.”
“What happened?”
“Roadside job got complicated.”
“A car?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
Lena was quiet.
“When are you coming home?”
Elias looked through the rain at Victoria, Marcus, the damaged SUV, and the security team.
“I don't know yet.”
The silence on the phone hurt more than accusation.
“Lena.”
“Okay.”
“Bug.”
“You said you're okay.”