She printed the report.
Then she noticed something else.
The call had been entered at 9:03.
Nia had arrived at the pharmacy at approximately 9:17.
The caller had described the driver before she reached the location.
Price frowned.
She pulled up the traffic-camera feed.
There it was.
At 9:05, the Lamborghini appeared on Route 8.
At 9:08, it passed a gas station.
At 9:11, it turned toward the pharmacy.
At 9:13, another vehicle followed it.
A black SUV.
Price zoomed in.
The license plate was partially visible.
She saved the frame.
Then she noticed something else.
The SUV never entered the pharmacy lot.
It parked across the street.
Waiting.
Price's pulse quickened.
She walked to Rusk's desk.
"You need to see this."
Rusk looked up.
"What?"
She showed him the photograph.
"Someone followed the Lamborghini."
"So?"
"The anonymous caller knew exactly where she was going."
Rusk stared at the image.
"Maybe coincidence."
"Maybe."
Price looked at him.
"But if someone wanted us to stop her..."
Rusk interrupted.
"You're overthinking it."
"What if the car isn't the target?"
Rusk looked at her.
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying maybe they wanted us to find her."
Neither spoke.
Then a phone rang.
Detective Vale answered from across the room.
"Yes?"
His eyes moved toward Nia's interview room.
"Who is this?"
He listened.
His expression hardened.
"I'll put you through."
He pressed a button.
A man's voice filled the room.
Calm.
Deep.
Controlled.
"Detective Vale?"
"Yes."
"My name is Adrian Carter."
Nia stood immediately.
Her father had finally called.
But Adrian's next words were not what she expected.
"Where is my daughter?"
Vale swallowed.
"She's safe."
"That wasn't my question."
The room became silent.
Adrian continued.
"I know my car was stopped."
A pause.
"I know my daughter was detained."
Another pause.
"And I know the call that caused it did not originate from your department."
Vale looked at Rusk.
"Mr. Carter—"
"Don't explain yet."
Adrian's voice remained calm.
"I'll be there in twenty minutes."
Then the line went dead.
Twenty-three minutes later, a dark sedan pulled into the station parking lot.
Adrian Carter stepped out.
He wasn't wearing a suit.
He wore a dark gray coat over a white shirt.
No tie.
No visible security detail.
He looked like an ordinary businessman.
But the moment he entered the station, Officer Price noticed something unusual.
Everyone in the lobby seemed to recognize him.
Not personally.
Professionally.
A desk officer stood.
"Mr. Carter."
Adrian nodded.
"Where's my daughter?"
"Interview room two."
"Is she under arrest?"
The officer hesitated.
"She's being detained."
"On what charge?"
"Possible possession of stolen property."
Adrian looked toward Detective Vale.
Vale stepped forward.
"The vehicle has been verified as legally registered."
"Then why is she still here?"
Vale had no immediate answer.
Adrian took a breath.
"Before we continue, I want to see my daughter."
Vale nodded.
They walked down the corridor.
Nia heard footsteps.
The door opened.
Her father stood there.
For the first time that night, her composure broke.
"Dad."
Adrian crossed the room and hugged her.
He held her for several seconds.
"Are you hurt?"
"No."
"Did anyone threaten you?"
"No."
"Did anyone search you?"
"No."
"Did anyone make you sign anything?"
"No."
Adrian looked at Vale.
"Good."
Then he turned back to Nia.
"Did you do anything wrong?"
"I drove without a licensed adult."
Adrian nodded.
"That's a mistake. We'll deal with it."
He looked at her.
"Did you steal the car?"
"No."
"Did you know it was stolen?"
"No."
"Good."
He kissed her forehead.
Then he turned toward the detective.
"Now we can talk."
Vale gestured toward the hallway.
Outside, Rusk was waiting.
Adrian looked at him.
"You stopped my daughter."
"Yes."
"You ordered her out of the vehicle."
"Yes."
"You handcuffed her."
"Yes."
"And you detained her after the registration and VIN were verified."
Rusk folded his arms.
"We had reasonable suspicion."
"Based on what?"
"An intelligence report."
"Written by whom?"
"That's not your concern."
Adrian smiled faintly.
"No."
His voice became colder.
"It is exactly my concern."
Rusk stepped closer.
"You think because you have money—"
"I didn't say anything about money."
Adrian's eyes remained fixed on him.
"You did."
Rusk stopped.
Adrian turned toward Vale.
"I want the original dispatch record."
"You'll need to request it formally."
"I will."
He paused.
"And I want the surveillance footage from the pharmacy."
Vale nodded.
"That's reasonable."
Adrian looked back at Rusk.
"One more thing."
"What?"
"My daughter is sixteen."
Rusk said nothing.
"If you ever put your hands on her again without lawful justification, make absolutely certain you can explain every second of it."
Then Adrian walked away.
Rusk watched him go.
For the first time that night, he looked uncertain.
At 11:42 p.m., Detective Vale sat alone in his office.