Chapter 6 - THE AMBUSH
Maria did not take the bus back to the hospital because she knew she was being followed.
A black SUV had been trailing her taxi ever since she left the estate gates.
She told the driver to pull over at a crowded shopping mall in the center of the city.
Grabbing Sophia's hand tightly, she rushed into the chaotic sea of shoppers.
"Mama, where are we going?" Sophia asked, struggling to keep up with the fast pace.
"We are playing a game of hide and seek, baby," Maria lied, scanning the crowd anxiously.
Two men in dark suits entered the mall behind them, aggressively pushing through the crowd.
Maria ducked into a large department store, weaving through the racks of winter coats.
She pulled out her cheap prepaid phone and dialed the number Dr. Park had given her.
"They are following me, I can't make it to the hospital," Maria whispered in a panic.
"Go to the loading dock at the back of the mall," a deep, unfamiliar voice replied on the other end.
Maria didn't have time to question it, so she bolted toward the service exit.
She pushed open the heavy metal doors and burst out into the cold, damp alleyway.
The two suited men emerged right behind her, blocking her only path of escape.
"Hand over the drive, Maria, and you get to walk away," the taller man threatened, reaching into his jacket.
Before Maria could scream, an unmarked black van suddenly swerved into the alley with screeching tires.
The side door slid open, revealing Daniel Whitfield’s loyal head of security, armed and ready.
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"Get in!" the security chief yelled over the roaring engine.
Maria scooped up Sophia and dove into the van just as Voss's men drew their weapons.
