CH.20

~Meanwhile~

Serena's body jerked forward as the sleek town car suddenly came to a halt. Red and blue lights were flashing behind the tinted windows.

The Police! Serena gasped inwardly. Why were they here again?

Jenkins put a reassuring hand on her trembling fingers. "Stay inside, Miss Bolting. I'll handle this."

His authoritative tone did little to calm Serena's frayed nerves. He stepped out onto the desolate road, the door clicking shut behind him.

She strained to make out his muffled words as he approached the blockade of patrol cars. Though she couldn't hear the exchange, Jenkins' rigid posture and terse gestures made it clear he was pissed off.

Serena's stomach twisted into knots. They were so close to whisking her away from this nightmare. But now the flashing lights seemed to mock her, trapping her like an animal caught in their sights.

Her throat burned with unshed tears as she watched Jenkins run an agitated hand through his dirty blond hair.

A heated argument was ongoing