5:15 PM – Boston PD Headquarters
The fluorescent lights of the precinct buzzed overhead as Rebecca slammed the traffic cam footage onto Detective Donahue's desk. The screen showed Maria Santiago in crisp detail—her dark hair pulled back, the scar on her chin visible as she handed Henry Caldwell the bottle.
"That's our suspect," Rebecca said, tapping the screen. "Enough to bring her in."
Across the room, Officer Grayson, a heavyset man with a perpetual frown, shook his head. "It's after five, Barker. Judge Calloway won't sign a warrant until morning."
Rebecca didn't blink. "Then we pick her up on suspicion. Hold her overnight. Warrant comes through at nine AM, and we've got her locked down before she can run."
Benjamin, leaning against a filing cabinet, let out a low whistle. "Bold. I like it." He smirked. "Reminds me of Julius Caesar crossing the Rubicon—sometimes you just have to move and ask forgiveness later."
Rebecca shot him a look. "This isn't a history lesson, Moore."
"Everything's a history lesson, Detective. You're just not paying attention."
Grayson rubbed his temples. "Even if we wanted to, we don't know where she is."
Rebecca opened her mouth to reply when her phone buzzed. She snatched it up. "Barker."
A pause. Then her grip tightened. "You're sure? Alright. Text me the address."
She hung up, already moving. "My informant just spotted her near the McDonald's on 5th. She's holed up in the Redwood Motel."
Grayson groaned. "That dump? Perfect place for a fugitive."
Rebecca ignored him, grabbing her vest. "Assemble a team. Seven officers. We move in ten."
Benjamin straightened. "I'm coming."
"Like hell—"
"You'll need a medical opinion if she's got more of those bottles lying around," he said smoothly. "Chloroform and aconite? Nasty combo. Could kill someone if inhaled wrong."
Rebecca's jaw clenched. "Fine. But you stay in the van with Jenkins. No heroics."
Benjamin mimed zipping his lips. "Cross my heart."
6:45 PM – Redwood Motel
The Redwood was the kind of place that charged by the hour and didn't ask questions. Peeling paint, flickering neon, and the faint stench of mildew.
Rebecca's team fanned out, surrounding Room 214. She took point, her Glock drawn, while Benjamin watched from the van, his fingers drumming against his thigh.
"Boston PD!" Rebecca barked, hammering on the door. "Open up!"
Silence.
Then—
Glass shattered.
Rebecca kicked the door in just in time to see Maria Santiago leap through the window, her red coat flaring behind her.
"She's running!" Rebecca shouted, bolting after her.
Benjamin lunged for the van door, but Jenkins grabbed his arm. "Uh-uh, Doc. Orders are orders."
Benjamin glared. "She's getting away!"
"Not my problem."
Outside, Maria hit the pavement and sprinted toward a narrow alley. Rebecca and her team gave chase, their boots pounding against the wet asphalt.
The Chase
The alley was a maze of dumpsters and fire escapes, the air thick with the smell of rotting garbage. Maria moved like a shadow, ducking under pipes, her breaths coming in sharp bursts.
Rebecca rounded a corner—
And skidded to a halt.
A man stood at the end of the alley, his face hidden beneath a blue hoodie.
Maria didn't slow. "Rahul! What the hell are you doing here?"
The man—Rahul Varma—tilted his head. "Saving my companion."
Rebecca's finger hovered over her trigger. "Boston PD! Freeze!"
Then—
"Ah, shit!"
Behind her, Officer Cole tripped over a loose cobblestone, crashing into Officer Diaz. Diaz laughed, brushing himself off. "Nice one, Cole. Real smooth."
Cole's face darkened. "You think that's funny?"
Diaz smirked. "Kinda, yeah."
Cole swung.
The punch connected with Diaz's jaw, sending him sprawling. Another officer lunged to pull them apart—only to get elbowed in the ribs.
"What the hell—" Rebecca started.
Then the brawl erupted.
Officers turned on each other, fists flying, shouts devolving into snarls. Their eyes—
Benjamin, watching from the van, saw it first.
Blue haze.
Thin tendrils curled around their faces, their pupils dilated with unnatural rage.
"Rebecca!" Benjamin shouted, throwing the van door open. "Knock them out! Now!"
Rebecca didn't hesitate. She grabbed her baton and swung—
Crack.
Officer Cole dropped like a stone. She moved to the next, striking pressure points with brutal efficiency.
But Maria and Rahul were already gone.
Vanished into the labyrinth of alleys, leaving behind only the echoes of chaos.