Yeah. Marcus tapped the steering wheel thoughtfully. That kind of planning takes resources. Victoria nodded slowly. And motive.
The SUV continued down the highway as the trees thinned ahead. Marcus pointed forward. There. The intersection appeared under a blinking yellow light. Their alternate road.
Elias studied it carefully. Then his expression hardened. Marcus noticed immediately. What now? Elias pointed toward the intersection.
See that? Marcus squinted. At first it looked like nothing. Then he noticed it. A dark vehicle parked just beyond the junction.
Engine running. Lights off. Victoria's voice lowered. That wasn't there earlier. Marcus slowed the SUV.
Someone's waiting. Elias nodded. Yeah. Marcus's hand tightened slightly on the wheel. Ambush?
Maybe. Victoria's voice remained steady. A confirmation. Elias watched the silhouette of the parked vehicle. If it's the same people who set the traps, Marcus finished the thought.
"They're not done." Victoria leaned forward again. Marcus. "Yes, ma'am." "Don't stop."
Marcus nodded slowly. The SUV continued rolling toward the intersection. The dark vehicle ahead remained motionless. Watching. The next few moments are where the real plan behind this attack finally starts to reveal itself.
Inside the SUV, Elias kept his eyes locked on the shadowed car ahead. Because something about the way it waited there told him one thing. The traps on the road were never the final move. They were only meant to slow the convoy down. The SUV rolled closer to the intersection.
Its headlights cutting through the mist that still hung low over the road. The dark vehicle ahead remained parked just beyond the blinking yellow light, engine idling softly, headlights still off. Marcus Trent slowed the SUV, but did not stop. "Distance?" he asked quietly. Elias leaned forward slightly, studying the silhouette of the car.
"Maybe 50 yards." Victoria Hale remained calm in the back seat, though her eyes never left the vehicle waiting at the junction. "That car's been sitting there long enough to know we're coming," she said. Marcus nodded. "Yeah."
The convoy behind them tightened formation instinctively, black SUVs spreading slightly across the road to shield the vehicle carrying Victoria. Marcus spoke into the radio. "Unknown vehicle at intersection. Possible contact." A voice crackled back.
"Do we engage?" Marcus glanced at Elias. "What do you think?" Elias watched the vehicle carefully. Driver hasn't moved yet, Marcus added.
Victoria leaned forward again. If it's the same group who set the traps, they already know the convoy survived. Elias nodded. Which means this part of the plan doesn't rely on surprise. Marcus frowned slightly.