Call an ambulance right now, Marcus—my daughter’s water just broke on your mother’s marble floor! I screamed, kneeling over Maya as fluid flooded her silk dress.
The cold night air hit me as I exited the hospital, the encrypted drive warm in my pocket. My old sedan sat in its usual spot, a welcome sight after the clandestine mission. I felt a surge of adrenaline, mixed with exhaustion.
As I reached my car door, a figure detached itself from the shadows. Devon Holloway, Marcus’s younger brother. His eyes, usually clouded with resentment, were now sharp with predatory intent.
“Dr. Washington,” he growled, stepping in front of my car, blocking my path. “Save us both some trouble and hand over what you took from the vault.”
My hand instinctively went to my pocket, clutching the drive. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Devon snorted. “Don’t play dumb. Marcus knows you broke into the server room. He knows you have the data. Give it to me, or this gets ugly.” He took a menacing step closer, his large frame looming over me.
“I’m not giving you anything, Devon,” I said, my voice unwavering despite the fear that chilled me.
He lunged, his hand reaching for my bag. “You think you can ruin my brother? Ruin *our* family? Not tonight, old woman.”
Just as his fingers brushed my shoulder bag, the piercing wail of police sirens echoed through the concrete cavern of the parking garage. Blue and red lights flashed, illuminating the scene.
A black SUV and two patrol cars screeched to a halt behind Devon’s vehicle. Detective Raymond Cross emerged from the SUV, his face grim. Two uniformed officers were right behind him.
“Devon Holloway!” Detective Cross’s voice cut through the tense air. “You’re under arrest for intimidation, attempted assault, and obstruction of justice.”
Devon froze, his face a mask of shock and fury. He turned to flee, but the two officers were on him in an instant, pinning his arms behind his back.
Detective Cross walked directly to me. “Dr. Washington, are you alright?”
“I’m fine, Detective,” I replied, my voice shaky now that the danger had passed. I pulled the encrypted drive from my pocket. “He was trying to get this.”
Cross nodded, taking the drive. “This is what we needed. Thank you, Doctor.”
Devon, now in handcuffs, snarled at me as he was led past. “You’re going to pay for this, Evelyn! All of you!”
But his threats were empty. The records, the final pieces of the puzzle, were finally safe.
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