Elias crouched again beside the wheel.
"At highway speed, not long," he said.
Marcus followed the calculation in his head. That curve is half a mile away.
Exactly. Victoria looked down the dark road again.
Meaning the failure would have happened right in the turn. Marcus ran a hand down his jaw.
Whoever did this knew the route. Elias stood again.
Or studied it. The rain eased slightly, leaving a steady hiss on the pavement.
Marcus's phone buzzed in his pocket. He answered quickly.
Trent. A voice spoke urgently through the speaker.
Marcus's expression changed. Say that again.
Elias watched carefully. Victoria waited.
Marcus listened another few seconds before hanging up. What is it?
Victoria asked. Marcus looked at her.
The fuel crew at the last stop just reported a suspicious vehicle. Victoria's eyes sharpened.
What kind? White cargo van.
Parked across the lot for about 15 minutes. Elias spoke quietly.
Same window of time your car was unattended. Marcus nodded slowly.
Exactly. Victoria frowned.
Did anyone get a plate number? Marcus shook his head.
No cameras facing that direction. Elias exhaled.
That's not sloppy, he said. That's deliberate.
Marcus studied him. You're awfully confident about that.
Elias met his gaze calmly. People who plan something like this don't improvise.
Victoria crossed her arms again. Then the question becomes obvious.
Marcus finished the thought. Who wants you dead?
Victoria's expression hardened slightly. Quite a few people actually.
Elias raised an eyebrow. That's comforting.
Victoria almost smiled despite the tension. Marcus looked down the highway again.
If that van followed the convoy, then the driver knows the plan failed, Elias said. Marcus nodded grimly.
Which means they'll adjust. Another guard jogged toward them.
Sir. Marcus turned.
What is it? The guard pointed down the highway.
Vehicle approaching from the north. Marcus narrowed his eyes.
Headlights appeared in the distance, slowly cresting a hill. Victoria's voice dropped.
That wasn't one of ours. Marcus shook his head.
No. The approaching lights moved slower than normal traffic.
Too slow. Elias stood up fully now, watching the road.
That might be your van. Marcus's hand drifted toward his sidearm.
Everyone hold positions, he ordered quietly. Guards shifted into defensive positions around the convoy.
Victoria remained beside Elias, her expression unreadable. You think they came back to see if the job worked?
She said. Maybe.
The headlights grew brighter as the vehicle approached. Marcus spoke into his radio.
Vehicle incoming. White cargo van, possibly suspect.
The convoy lights reflected off the wet road as the van slowed even further. For a moment, it looked like the driver might stop.
Instead, the van accelerated suddenly. Marcus cursed.