Page 30 of The Advocate’s Ultimatum

“Read it.”

“Just one day left.”

“That timeframe lines up with your hearing, right?”

“Yes,” she said. “Tomorrow I have to tell Judge Hammouri if I’m taking the case.” Sabre changed lanes, eyes on the road. “They’re counting it down.”

“Yeah,” DuBois said. “Which means they’re tracking your schedule, and they’re confident enough to lock it in.”

“What do you want me to do?” she asked.

DuBois’ voice shifted, more directive now. “First, don’t respond. Not to anything.”

“I won’t.”

“Second, screenshot every message. Send them to me.”

“I will, but I saw Detective Nelson earlier and he’s already working on the first message. I’ll call him as soon as I hang up here, and I’ll send this to both of you as soon as I stop.”

“Good.”

Sabre tightened her grip on the wheel. “Is there a third thing for me to do?”

DuBois didn’t answer right away. When he did, his voice was softer. “You need to assume they’re watching you.”

Sabre glanced at the rearview mirror. Traffic. Nothing unusual.

“Physically?” she asked.

“Maybe,” he said. “Or just your movements. Either way, don’t make yourself predictable.”

“All right.”

“If they’re counting down like this, they don’t think you have a choice.”

Sabre stared straight ahead. “They might be right.”

“Then prove them wrong.”

“How?”

“By making your decision based on facts,” he said. “Not fear.”

Sabre swallowed. “I’m working on the facts.”

“Then work faster,” DuBois said.

Sabre ended the call. Her phone sat in the console, the message still glowing on the screen. Just one day left.

Sabre tightened her hands on the wheel. They weren’t just watching her, now they were timing her. And tomorrow, she would have to choose.

She pulled over the first opportunity she had and sent both DuBois and Nelson a screenshot of the text.

She was almost to her destination when her phone rang.

"Hi Greg,” she said. “Did you get the screenshot?”

"I did. And the carrier got back to us faster than I expected."