I stood up, keeping close to the brick wall of the restaurant.

I reached into my pocket to make sure the deed was still there.

It was safe.

I ran down the alley, the cold rain stinging my face.

My car was parked two blocks away.

I needed to get to Denise’s office before Nico realized I was gone.

The streetlights reflected off the wet asphalt, casting long, shivering shadows.

As I reached the end of the alley, a pair of headlights flashed on.

A black sedan pulled out from the curb, blocking my path.

The driver’s side door opened.

A man in a dark suit stepped out into the rain.

He looked directly at me.

“Going somewhere, Harper?” he asked.

I stopped, my heart racing.

I backed up, but the alley behind me was a dead end.

I looked to my left, where a narrow gap between two buildings led toward the main street.

I bolted into the gap, my sneakers splashing in the puddles.

I could hear his heavy footsteps pursuing me.

I burst onto the sidewalk of the main street.