Chapter 214 Better than life

Chapter 214 Better than life
Agent Naomi Bennett

The city had become a nightmare. Absolute chaos.

Traffic stretched for blocks in every direction thanks to the collapse of Ashcroft Industries. Emergency vehicles flooded intersections. Streets had been shut down. People stood on sidewalks recording videos while smoke still rose into the sky behind us.

And somehow Locke was still driving like a psychopath.

I gripped the handle above the passenger door as our SUV shot between two vehicles with maybe inches to spare.

"Locke."

No response.

"Locke."

Still nothing.

"LOCKE."

"What?" he snapped, eyes never leaving the road.

"You almost hit a Prius."

"I didn't hit a Prius."

"You almost hit a Prius."

"Details."

I stared at him. Actually stared at him. Then looked back out the windshield as another car horn blared at us.

Jesus Christ.

The transit center finally came into view ahead of us and my stomach tightened immediately.

Please. Please don't let us be too late.

Locke practically threw the SUV into a parking spot before both of us were already moving. Running. We flashed badges while pushing through crowds and security checkpoints.

"Federal agents."

"Move."

"Excuse me."

"Move."

I looked around rapidly. Bus terminals. Passengers. Families. Tourists. People everywhere. Too many people. Way too many people.

Locke suddenly stopped beside me. "...No."

My stomach dropped. "No."

He pointed toward one of the departure screens.

Bus 47. Departed. Ten minutes ago.

Ten. Fucking. Minutes.

I closed my eyes. "No no no no no."

Locke looked down at his phone suddenly. Then immediately looked back up. "Oh hell yes."

I turned. "What?"

He was already moving back toward the SUV. "GPS."

I blinked. "...GPS?"

He looked at me like I was stupid. "City buses have GPS tracking."

Oh. Oh thank God. By the time we reached the vehicle again, Locke was already climbing into the passenger seat.

I stared at him. "...Why are you over there?"

He buckled himself in. Then looked at me very calmly. "Drive."

I stared at him. Then slowly smiled.

"Oh no." Locke whispered as I climbed into the driver's seat. A tablet appeared in his hands showing a moving GPS marker. "There."

He pointed. I looked down. Then looked back up. Then immediately slammed the SUV into drive.

The tires screamed. Locke grabbed the handle above the door instantly.

"OH MY GOD."

"Oh shut up."

I swerved around two cars and cut through another lane. Car horns exploded around us. Somebody yelled something. Didn't care. Didn't give a shit. Not even a little.

The GPS moved. I followed it. Fifty over the speed limit. Maybe more. Probably more.

I honestly stopped checking.

Locke looked like he was reconsidering every decision he'd made in his life. "NAOMI."

"What?"

"YOU DRIVE LIKE YOU HAVE ISSUES."

"I HAVE MOTIVATION."

We flew around another curve.

Then suddenly, "There." Locke pointed ahead.

My eyes narrowed.

Bus 47.

"Oh you dumb motherfuckers."

I immediately hit the sirens and lights.

The bus driver noticed almost immediately and slowly pulled toward the shoulder.

Perfect.

Perfect perfect perfect.

I grabbed my radio. "Dispatch this is Agent Bennett. I need immediate backup. Suspects are likely armed and dangerous."

Locke already had his weapon out. "So much for easy arrests."

"Did you really expect easy?"

"No."

The bus doors finally hissed open.

I stepped on first. Gun raised immediately. "FEDERAL AGENTS."

Everything exploded into chaos. People screamed. Hands shot into the air. Some passengers ducked. Others froze completely.

I moved down the aisle slowly.

Scanning. Watching. Looking.

Not there.

No— Wait.

Suddenly movement.

My eyes snapped toward the back and my blood ran cold.

Asher West stood up. That son of a bitch had been crouched low behind the seat. He yanked a little old woman up in front of him and wrapped one arm around her shoulders.

A gun appeared against her temple. People screamed once more. Passengers shoved past each other trying to get away. Some dropped to the floor. Others cried.

The little woman immediately started sobbing. Rapid Spanish spilled from her mouth while tears streamed down her face. "No no no por favor—"

My entire body went rigid. "Asher."

His eyes found mine.

And then the bastard smiled. "Oh good," he said casually. "I was starting to think you weren't coming."

I kept my weapon raised steadily. "Asher."

He smiled wider. "Naomi."

"Let her go."

He sighed dramatically like I had already disappointed him. "Oh come on." He adjusted his grip slightly around the woman. "That's no fun at all."

Locke slowly moved farther down the aisle beside me.

Small movement. Tiny movement. Barely noticeable.

Asher noticed immediately. "Ah ah ah." The gun pressed harder against the woman's head.

Locke stopped instantly.

"I wasn't planning on hurting her," Asher continued casually. "Not until you arrived anyway."

My jaw tightened.

God I wanted to shoot him. I really wanted to shoot him.

But something suddenly clicked in my brain.

I scanned the bus again.

Front. Middle. Back. Passengers. Families. Terrified faces.

No Marcus.

I looked back toward Asher slowly. "Where is he?"

Asher blinked. Then grinned. "Another bus."

My stomach dropped immediately. "He what?"

Asher shifted slightly. "He's probably headed toward Canada by now." Then he looked genuinely confused. "Honestly though?" He tilted his head. "I'm surprised you came after me."

I stared at him. "What?"

His eyebrows lifted. "Marcus is the bigger threat." He smiled again. Cold this time. "He knows FBI protocols."

My chest tightened.

"He knows investigative procedures. He knows things that could destroy careers."

No.

No no no.

"He knows secrets." His eyes sharpened. "And you came after me."

For a split second, doubt hit me. Just a split second. Then I shoved it down.

Because Marcus wasn't standing here with a gun against an innocent woman's head.

Asher was.

I raised my weapon slightly. "Let her go."

He smiled. "I can't."

His grip tightened around the woman.

"She's getting me out of this."

The woman immediately burst into fresh tears.

"Por favor..." she cried. "Tengo hijos... nietos..."

My Spanish wasn't perfect. Not even close.

But I understood enough.

Children. Grandchildren. Vacation. She was supposed to be going on vacation.

Jesus Christ.

I looked directly at her. Then back at Asher. Then slowly lowered my voice. "Asher."

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"If you let her go..." He stared at me. "I'll cut you a deal."

That got his attention. His eyebrows lifted. "Oh?"

I kept my voice steady. "Help us find Marcus."

Silence.

"Give us real information."

I watched his expression carefully. "Help us end this."

The woman's crying filled the silence.

Then I said, "I'll recommend a private prison. 10 years... Better than life."