Page 15 of Close Protection

She took a sharp left, accelerating smoothly. "Call Detective Rivers," she instructed, handing Ivy her phone. "Tell her we have a tail, black SUV, no plates visible. We're heading east on Granada."

As Ivy made the call, Julia focused on putting distance between them and their pursuer without being obvious. A car chase through morning traffic would endanger bystanders and draw attention they couldn't afford.

"Morgan's sending backup," Ivy reported as she ended the call. Her voice was remarkably steady. "Says to head toward downtown if possible."

Julia nodded, impressed by Ivy's composure despite the circumstances. For someonewith no field experience, she was handling the situation with surprising calm.

The SUV had closed the distance between them, now just one car back. Julia could see the driver's silhouette—male, broad-shouldered—but the passenger side was obscured by the tinted window.

"When I turn at the next light, get down in your seat," Julia instructed. "Stay low until I say otherwise."

"They already know it's me," Ivy pointed out. "What good will hiding do?"

"It limits their target opportunities."

Ivy complied without further argument, sliding down until only the top of her head was visible.

The light ahead turned yellow. Julia accelerated through it, then made a sharp right, cutting off a delivery truck. In the rearview mirror, she saw the SUV attempt to follow but get blocked by the truck. A momentary advantage, but not enough.

"They knew where to find us," Julia said, her mind racing through implications even as she navigated through traffic. "That safe house location was department classified."

"Your leak theory just got stronger," Ivy responded, still hunched in her seat.

"Yeah." Julia took another turn, creating an unpredictable pattern as she worked their way toward downtown where backup waited. "Which means we trust no one until we know who."

"Except Morgan?"

Julia hesitated only briefly. "Except Morgan."

The SUV reappeared in her mirror, having somehow cut through side streets to intercept their path. Whoever was driving knew the city well—possibly local law enforcement or former military with tactical training.

"They're back," Ivy noted, having twisted to check the mirror despite her low position.

"I see them." Julia's voice remained even. "We're three minutes from backup, if we can maintain this distance."

The SUV accelerated suddenly, closing the gap between them with alarming speed. Julia swerved to avoid the impact as it clipped their rear bumper, sending their car fishtailing across the lane. She correctedsmoothly, muscles operating on training and instinct.

"Hold on," she warned, then executed a rapid turn down a narrow one-way street—driving against traffic. Horns blared as oncoming cars swerved to avoid them. The SUV attempted to follow but couldn't maneuver as efficiently through the tight space.

Julia used the advantage to cut across a parking lot, emerging onto a parallel street. For a moment, the SUV disappeared from their mirrors.

"Did we lose them?" Ivy asked, her composure finally showing cracks.

"Temporarily." Julia didn't slow down. "Stay down."

The radio crackled to life as they approached the downtown precinct. Morgan's voice came through, tense but controlled: "Scott, we've got units at the south entrance. Bring her in through the underground access."

"Copy that," Julia confirmed, already adjusting their route.

The precinct appeared ahead, a welcome sight. Julia took the service entrance that led to the secure underground garage, slowingonly enough to badge in at the gate. As they descended the ramp, she finally allowed herself to release a breath.

"We're clear," she told Ivy. "You can sit up now."

Ivy straightened, her movements stiff from being hunched over. Her face was pale but composed, eyes alert and assessing as they pulled into a space near the elevator.

"That wasn't a random tail," she said as Julia cut the engine.

"No, it wasn't." Julia turned to face her directly. "Someone knew exactly where to find you and when we'd be moving. Someone with inside information."

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