Chapter 6 - Shadows on the Highway
Julian’s heart hammered against his ribs like a trapped bird. The police cruiser was weaving through the afternoon traffic, closing the distance rapidly.
""Marcus, they’re behind me,"" Julian said quietly, keeping his eyes glued to the mirrors.
""Don't run, Julian! Evading arrest will guarantee you lose custody permanently!"" Marcus pleaded.
""If they take her now, Vance will hide her in a private facility before I can get a hearing,"" Julian replied, his voice chillingly calm. ""I know how the Montgomery family operates. Once Lily enters their system, I’ll never see her again.""
Ahead, the highway split into two directions: the straight interstate leading to city limits and an off-ramp dropping into an industrial warehouse district. Julian didn't signal. He waited until the last possible second, then yanked the wheel to the right, tires squealing as the sedan dove down the narrow exit ramp.
The patrol car hesitated, caught in the flow of traffic, before lurching across two lanes to pursue.
""Hold on, Lily,"" Julian instructed calmly.
""I'm holding, Daddy,"" she replied, gripping her stuffed bear with white knuckles. She wasn't crying anymore; a quiet, resilient determination seemed to have settled into her small frame.
Julian raced through a maze of rusting factories and freight containers. He knew this district intimately; his father's original logistics business had started here thirty years ago. He cut through a narrow loading alley between two brick warehouses, killing his headlights as he rolled beneath a dilapidated metal canopy.
He shifted into park, shut down the engine, and held his breath.
Seconds later, the patrol car screamed past the mouth of the alley, sirens blaring, speeding toward the river bridge without stopping.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Julian let out a ragged breath, turning around to check on Lily. ""You okay, baby?""
May you like
""Yes, Daddy,"" she whispered. Then she held up the crumpled piece of paper Rebecca had given her. ""Daddy... look at the back. There's another name written here.""
Julian took the paper and flipped it over in the dim light. Scrawled hastily in pencil beneath Rebecca’s printed memo was a name and an address: Dr. Teresa Chen – 414 Crestview Lane. Ask about Elena.
