The Secret Songs of D.C. Silverenn

| 26

Emi and I exit the bathroom. The security guard stands on the opposite side of the foyer between two towering columns. We approach quickly, a light squishing sound underfoot as our shoes tread on tile.

"Hi," I say, "I know this is a lot to ask, but my friend here just broke up with her boyfriend, and he's been really threatening toward her. We're concerned he might even be waiting to attack her outside."

Emi nods along with real tears staining her cheeks.

Concern washes over the security guard's face. "He might be here now?" We nod. "This sounds serious. Have you contacted the police?"

"We're headed over there right now," I say. "We just don't want anything to happen to us when we're walking to our car."

"He might hurt you too?" he asks, even more startled.

"Since I'm friends with his former girlfriend," I say, hoping he buys the explanation. "Would you mind stepping outside with us, just to make sure we make it to our car safely?"

"Not at all." His brow still knit with concern, he follows us outside.

Warmth and sunlight hits my face the moment we exit. The woman and man on the sidewalk turn around, gazes falling on the security guard. Perhaps it's my imagination, but the man's lips appear to tighten slightly. His hands are buried in his pants pockets, and the woman still holds the phone to her ear.

"Do you see him?" the security guard asks, looking up and down the sidewalk.

"No," I say, while Emi slips into the driver seat. "Thanks so much!"

"No problem," the guard replies. "Happy to help."

I slip into the passenger seat while he ducks back inside the museum. The moment the doors close out front, the man draws his hands from his pocket and starts running for the car. Fear flashes through me. He has a gun trained on us.

"Stop!" he commands, though his shout is muffled by the closed windows.

"Emi, drive!" I exclaim.

She puts the car into gear, and we jolt backward in the parallel parking place, then forward as Emi slams her foot on the gas. There's a pop, then glass shatters in the backseat.

We zoom down the street, and thank goodness the traffic light ahead is green. I glance in the side mirror, only to spot a silvery-white sedan trailing behind.

"Emi, speed up a bit," I say.

The engine revs as Emi pushes forty-five. The distance between the silvery car widens slightly, then closes once more. I inhale a breath. When will this end?

I might not know the answer to that question, but I think I know what lies in the end — at least, I hope I know.

Treasure.

We come to an abrupt stop.

"What are you doing? Keep going!" I exclaim. I face the front, then realize why we've stopped.

"You want me to go through a red light?" Emi says.

"No..." I glance behind me. Somehow, another car has cut in, separating us from our pursuers. "It's just that we're being followed."

"I can't believe this. It's like we've been thrust into a spy movie."

"Just try to lose them. Take a few random turns through the city, then they might get lost."

"We'll be lost, too."

"Better than leading them to the hotel."

Green flashes overhead, and Emi takes a left. A darker street carves its way between old, towering brick buildings, casting shadows over the downtown. Emi jerks the wheel to the right, and my shoulder smacks the door. Pain thrums through my arm for a moment before disappearing. I grip the side compartment on the door. Emi accelerates, the car vibrating underneath me. The light at the end of the street grows brighter, and we zoom into the street as an SUV barrels down the other lane.