For the first time since Elias Rowan had pulled over to help a stranded driver, the road ahead looked safe. Victoria Hale sat quietly in the backseat watching the quiet mechanic through the rearview mirror. You never answered my question, she said. Elias glanced back slightly. Which one?
How someone with your experience ends up fixing transmissions on the side of a highway? Marcus smirked faintly as he drove. Yeah, he added. That part of the story still feels incomplete. Elias looked out the windshield again.
The city lights reflected off the wet pavement as they approached the first overpass. I used to do a job where people studied ways to destroy vehicles, he said quietly. Marcus nodded. Convoy defense? Something like that.
Victoria leaned forward slightly. And you left? Elias nodded once. Marcus raised an eyebrow. People don't usually walk away from jobs like that.
Elias' voice remained calm. They do when they realize their daughter needs a father more than the country needs another engineer. Victoria fell silent for a moment. The SUV passed beneath the overpass, shadows briefly sweeping across the cabin. Marcus broke the quiet.
So, you traded armored convoys for brake jobs? Elias gave a faint shrug. Turns out engines are easier to deal with than politics. Victoria smiled slightly at that. I imagine so.
The convoy rolled through the southern checkpoint and entered the outskirts of the city. Traffic lights blinked green over empty streets as dawn slowly spread across the sky. Marcus glanced toward the police vehicles ahead. Once we reach the office tower, local authorities will take over the investigation. Victoria nodded.
Good. Elias watched the buildings growing taller around them. Glass towers, corporate headquarters, places he hadn't stepped inside since he'd left his old life behind. Marcus slowed as the convoy turned onto a wide boulevard lined with security gates. The massive Hale Cybernetics building rose at the end of the street like a wall of steel and glass.
Marcus let out a low whistle. Impressive. Elias studied the structure silently. Victoria noticed. You don't seem impressed.
I've seen bigger. Elias replied calmly. Marcus laughed under his breath. Of course you. The convoy rolled into the private entrance of the building where a team of security officers waited.
Police cruisers peeled away as the SUVs stopped in front of the entrance. Marcus parked and turned off the engine. The sudden silence inside the vehicle felt strange after hours of tension. Victoria stepped out first. The security team immediately moved toward her.
Ma'am, we've secured the perimeter, one of them reported. Good, she replied. Marcus stepped out and stretched his shoulders. Then Elias climbed out last, grabbing his worn tool bag from the back seat. The mechanic looked completely out of place standing beside armored vehicles and corporate security, but every person there now knew exactly what he had done.
Marcus leaned against the SUV door. You know, he said to me, tonight was supposed to be routine. Elias smirked faintly. They never are. Victoria walked back toward him.
You should stay, she said. Elias blinked. For what? For the briefing. Marcus crossed his arms.