The night air outside RenTech carried a faint chemical chill, the kind that always lingered around the building after late‑night lab work. Streetlights buzzed overhead, casting pale halos across the sidewalk where Cory stood with her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her stance alone said she wasn't letting this go.
"I really do believe you should have some sort of security detail," Cory said, her voice firm but threaded with worry. She kept glancing toward the dark edges of the street, as if danger might step out at any moment.
Davina gave a small, tired smile, the kind she used when she didn't have the energy to argue. "I'll be fine."
Cory shook her head, blonde curls bouncing with the motion. "Whoever killed Lisa is going to realize she wasn't you sooner or later. And when they do, you'll be in danger." Her voice cracked just slightly on the last word.
Davina's expression softened, but only for a heartbeat. "I promise you don't need to worry about me. I'm sure whatever is going on will wrap up quickly."
She didn't believe that. Cory didn't believe that. The street felt too quiet, too hollow, as if the city itself was listening.
"I have to get going," Davina added, forcing a smile. "Gotta be up early."
Cory didn't move until Davina did, watching her walk toward her car parked along the curb, watching the way Davina's shoulders sagged once she thought no one was looking.
Davina slid into the driver's seat, shut the door, and let out a slow breath. The glow from RenTech's glass lobby reflected faintly in her windshield as she pulled out her phone and dialed Sebastian.
He answered immediately.
"How's Ian adjusting?" she asked, starting the engine. The dashboard lights illuminated the exhaustion etched into her face.
"He is currently sitting in his room quietly. I gave him dinner a few minutes ago," Sebastian replied.
Davina sighed, rubbing her forehead. "That's a plus, I guess."
She pulled away from the curb, RenTech shrinking in her rearview mirror. "Turns out the serum gun I asked Lab A23 to work on was stolen tonight. And my assistant, the one who looked a bit like me, was killed in my office."
Sebastian went silent for a moment. When he spoke again, his voice was lower. "You believe someone has put a target on your back?"
"For what reason, I don't know. But yes."
She turned onto the main road, the city lights thinning as she drove. "I'm gonna have Lizzy and Theo focus on the normal patrols for now. I don't want to risk Ian being put at risk."
"Understood. I'll let them know."
Davina opened her mouth to respond but bright headlights suddenly flared behind her, far too close. Her grip tightened on the wheel.
"Shit," she whispered.
"What's wrong?" Sebastian asked.
"Looks like I may be being followed." She turned left at the next intersection. The car behind her mirrored the turn perfectly.
Her pulse spiked. "I gotta go. I'll call you back." She hung up before he could argue.
She pressed her foot harder on the gas. The car behind her sped up too, closing the distance like a predator locking onto prey. The city blurred around her as she weaved through traffic, adrenaline burning away her exhaustion.
She hit sixty in a twenty‑five zone, the other car still glued to her tail.
Davina veered toward the outskirts of Welson, where the streetlights thinned and the road stretched into darkness. If they wanted her, she'd rather keep civilians out of it.
The car behind her surged forward and slammed into her bumper.
The impact jolted her forward. "Fuck!"
She gripped the wheel tighter, pushing the accelerator to the floor. The speedometer climbed... seventy, seventy‑five, eighty. The road ahead was a black ribbon, barely visible.
Another hit. Harder. Her car fishtailed, tires screeching.
Were they trying to kill her? Probably. They killed Lisa for looking like her. Killing the real thing would be even easier.
Davina glanced into the rearview mirror. The headlights behind her flared, blinding her for a split second.
She looked back to the road just in time to see a deer leap out of the darkness.
Her eyes widened. Instinct took over.
She jerked the wheel.
The world flipped.
Metal screamed. Glass shattered. Her body slammed against the restraints as the car rolled... once, twice, three times... before crashing onto its roof with a violent final thud.
Silence.
The pursuing car skidded to a stop. Its headlights illuminated the wreckage. They waited. Watching. When no movement came, they turned around and sped off into the night.
Inside the overturned car, Davina's eyes fluttered open. A high‑pitched ringing filled her ears. Her vision swam, shapes blurring and reforming.
She spotted her phone on the ceiling, now the floor, cracked but intact. She reached for it with shaking fingers.
Her seatbelt dug into her ribs as she unlatched it. She dropped onto the roof with a grunt of pain.
She kicked at the window. Nothing. Again. Still nothing.
Finally, she ripped the headrest free, gripping the metal bars and smashing them against the glass until it shattered. Cold air rushed in.
She crawled out, cuts stinging, breath ragged. The only light came from her flickering taillights and one surviving headlight.
There was no time to hesitate. No time to think.
She dialed 911.
"911, where is your emergency?"
"I'm about five miles outside of Welson," she said, breath shaking. "I rolled my car."
"I have an ambulance on the way, ma'am. What is your name?"
Davina was silent for a moment as she looked at her car. It was completely totaled.
She felt a little sad. She loved that car. She had it for 4 year and never once allowed a single scratch on it.
"Ma'am are you still there?" The 911 operator asked with concern in her voice.
"Yes I'm sorry the service is sketchy out here what did you say?" Davina asked emotionless.
"What is your name?" The 911 operator asked again.
"Davina Wayne."
TO BE CONTINUED