Chapter 9
The dashboard speaker emitted a sharp burst of white noise before settling into a clear, digitized broadcast frequency that bypassed standard commercial radio signals. Julian’s hands tightened on the steering wheel until his knuckles turned completely bloodless.
“Vehicle tracking activated,” a synthesized, automated voice announced flatly through the cabin speakers. “Gray sedan, license plate ending in seven-four-zero-two. You are operating within a restricted security zone. Pull over immediately and await federal transport.”
Elena gasped, clutching baby Leo tighter against her chest as if the physical barrier of her arms could shield him from the invisible signal piercing the car. “Julian, they’re tracking the car. How? You said this model didn't have GPS.”
“It doesn't,” Julian muttered, his voice tight with rising panic as he slammed his foot down on the accelerator, pushing the older engine past its comfortable threshold. The sedan surged forward, kicking up a dense cloud of dust and gravel behind them as they wove between the rows of apple trees. “It’s not the car’s GPS. It’s my phone. It’s still in the console pocket.”
Without taking his eyes off the narrow dirt road, Julian lunged with his right hand toward the center dashboard compartment, his fingers frantically searching inside the dark recess until they brushed against the smooth glass screen of his smartphone. Without hesitation, he yanked the device out and hurled it through the open passenger-side window into the thick brush of the orchard.
The phone disappeared into a dense patch of brambles, but the automated voice on the radio didn't miss a beat.
“Signal lost from primary device. Secondary tracking initiated via onboard toll transponder.”
Julian cursed loudly, ripping his gaze back to the road just in time to avoid a sharp hairpin turn that led out of the orchard and onto the paved perimeter service lane. He jerked the steering wheel hard to the left, tires squealing in protest as the sedan fishtailed momentarily before regaining traction on the asphalt.
“The toll transponder,” Julian breathed heavily, realizing his fatal oversight. “It’s hardwired into the engine block. I forgot the state transit pass was active.”
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“Can you disable it?” Elena asked, her voice surprisingly steady despite the violent sway of the vehicle. She was leaning over the back of the front passenger seat, keeping a firm hand on Leo to ensure the baby didn't bump against the armrest.
“Not without cutting the main ignition harness,” Julian replied grimly. He glanced in the rearview mirror and saw a black SUV rounding the distant corner of the orchard gate, kicking up a massive plume of dust as it accelerated rapidly in pursuit. “And if I cut the ignition while we’re moving at seventy miles per hour on this grade, we’ll go off the embankment.”
