off the Pacific Coast Highway and started up a winding road overlooking the Pacific Ocean. “I think they want to look you in the eye and see if you’re really serious.”
They were nearing the top of the hill, where the road dead-ended at a massive gated mansion. Hannah wanted to look in the side view mirror to see if the undercover vehicles were behind her. But she knew that would draw Rico’s suspicion. Besides, if they were any good, she wouldn’t see a thing.
“Is this it?” she asked as the car started to slow.
He nodded. Hannah realized that once they entered the property, she’d be stuck. The gate walls were easily ten feet high. Even if the cops were right behind her, by the time they got in, Rico’s bosses would have enough time to do her all kinds of harm.
This was her only chance to bail. The car would have to stop while the gate opened. She looked over at Rico, whose hands were clenching the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles were white. He was terrified. This was bad. She undid her seatbelt before reaching over and grabbing the passenger door handle. Nothing happened. It was locked.
“What the hell?” Rico said, looking over at her with confused anger.
If he pulled out a gun, she was trapped. She felt as close to scared as she had since Jessie’s ex-husband tried to kill her. It was a rare and almost welcome emotion.
“I’m so nervous,” she said, trying to salvage the situation. “I think I’m gonna throw up. You’ve got to let me out for a second.”
“We’re here,” he protested. “Just wait a minute until we get inside.”
“If you make me wait, there’s gonna be puke all over your car,” she told him, lifting her hand to her closed mouth as if she was trying to hold it in.
“Jeez, okay. Hold on!”
He popped the lock. She opened the door and got out, facing back down the hill and doubling over. For a second she thought she might actually vomit. Her whole body pulsed with excitement. Her heart was beating fast. She had goose bumps. There was perspiration on her forehead. She was nauseated and exhilarated all at once. It was amazing.
After a moment she sensed she wasn’t going to throw up after all. But she had to make it convincing so she made retching sounds as she looked back down the hill. A hundred yards away, she saw an unremarkable sedan idling. Behind her, she heard the sound of the mansion gates creaking open. Glancing over to make sure Rico couldn’t see her, she waved frantically for the car to come.
That’s all it took. The car peeled out, its tires squealing as it sped up the road. She saw that Brian, the undercover cop, was at the wheel. He sped past the passenger side of the BMW, only feet from where she was crouched, and came to a sudden stop next to the right gate door, making it impossible for it to close. He hopped out and pointed his gun at the driver’s side of the car.
“Hands in the air,” he shouted, before adding, “You by the passenger side door, lie on the ground.”
She didn’t know if he was saying that for her protection or to maintain the illusion that she wasn’t a part of this. Either way, she complied.
“What’s going on?” she heard Rico demand.
“Step out of the car,” Brian ordered.
Seconds later, four more cars came tearing up the hill. Two were unmarked. The other two were squad cars. As they approached, the sirens started blaring. One unmarked car and the two squad vehicles shot up the driveway without slowing down. The other unmarked car came to a stop right behind the BMW. Marie stepped out with her weapon drawn.
Hannah couldn’t see what was happening but could clearly hear more orders, including “lie down,” “spread your hands,” and “don’t move.” Three more squad cars, all with sirens echoing through the canyon, zipped by. Eventually Marie came over and knelt down next to her.
“Are you really going to be sick?” she asked.
“No,” Hannah said.
“Then you can get up,” Marie said. “I’d like to get you out of the road so you’re not accidentally run over.”
Hannah sat up and looked around, taking in the scene.
“Are we sure this is the place?” she asked. “Did we get them?”
Marie took a moment to take in everything as well.
“Let’s hope so,” she said. “Otherwise we just ruined a perfectly good pool party.”