Chapter Forty

The further out they drove, the more rural the scenery became. Highrises and expansive freeways merged into suburban communities and shopping centers. Past the county line, they reached widespread farmland and tall groves that stretched out further than the eye could see. The plowed snow continuously thickened along the narrow roadway as Jade listened to the hum of the tires beneath them. Occasionally, she would peer through a break in the forest and catch a glimpse of ridged mountaintops in the distance. It was now miles between driveways, each defended by rod iron gates and fences.

A road-marker indicated that they were nearing Gladwyne. She glanced over at Miguel, who was still occupied by his tablet. She had occasionally caught a glimpse of the screen: twelve boxes of real-time, black and white surveillance footage of his apartment, always appearing unchanged. What was he looking for? She could only think of one thing, Nadia. The shor