chapter905

"Stop right there!"

"We'll shoot if you don't!"

Suddenly, the roar of a boat engine cut through the night. Lydia spotted a shadowy figure speeding away on a single-person speedboat, heading fast for open water.

"Damn, he's getting away!" Garrett, usually the picture of calm, let the curse slip out before he could even think.

Bang! Bang!

The police fired off two shots, but it was too dark, and the boat was just too fast. The bullets only splashed uselessly into the water.

Without missing a beat, Lydia sprinted to the dock, spotted another speedboat, and jumped aboard. She fired up the engine, and in a split second, she was after him, water churning in her wake.

"Lydia!"

"Lydia!"

Connor and Garrett both shouted, stunned by her sudden move.

They exchanged a look, then darted for the remaining boats. Connor didn't even pause to think about how well he could see in the dark. He just jumped in and took off. Garrett was right behind him.

Within moments, three boats were racing across the water, chasing the one in front.

Vincent really believed he'd left everyone behind. But now that girl, the one who somehow managed to impress and terrify him at the same time, was closing in fast.

"Vincent! You've got nowhere to run!"

Lydia's speedboat cut through the waves like an arrow, the bow lifted high, a long white trail stretching behind her. She was gaining on him with every second.

Vincent gritted his teeth and slammed the throttle, trying to get away.

"Dr. Norwood! I respect you, really! Go back! I don't want to hurt you!" he shouted over the roar of the engines.

"Save it. Surrender while you can!"

Vincent realized there was no shaking her. He yanked out a gun and fired a shot in her direction.

"You made me do this!"

Lydia didn't have a weapon herself. If she had, Vincent wouldn't have lasted this long. She watched for her opening, then launched herself off her boat, sailing through the air and landing hard on Vincent's.

"Are you out of your mind?" Vincent yelled, but Lydia didn't waste a second. She punched him square in the face and for a moment, his

world went black.

fo

She took control of the boat in that split second, grabbing his gun and pressing it right to his forehead.

When Vincent blinked back to awareness, he looked like he might rather throw himself overboard than face what came next.

"Dr. Norwood, please, I'm begging you. I have a family, parents and kids. If you take me in, I'm done for."

Lydia pinned him with her foot, steering the boat with one hand. With the other, she clicked the safety off the gun and pressed it against his temple.

"Try anything, and you'll regret it."

The move was so smooth, so downright badass, that Garrett was left speechless. Connor nearly tumbled into the water in shock.

Lydia glanced back at them and called out a single word. "Head back!"

When the police saw Lydia return, driving the boat with one hand and holding a gun to Vincent's head with the other, their jaws dropped.

Was this girl really just eighteen?

Some of them honestly wondered if she was secretly some kind of ageless legend. Soaked through, Lydia hauled Vincent onto the dock and dumped him right onto the wooden boards. She followed up with a swift, punishing kick.

Vincent yelped in pain.

"Try to run again, and I'll break your legs," she warned.

The police hurried over and slapped the cuffs on him.

Captain Wesley came forward in person. "Dr. Norwood, thank you. If it weren't for you, this guy would've slipped away."

"Just doing my job. He's slippery, so don't let your guard down," Lydia replied.

Vincent glared at her, face pale and defeated. "Even if you caught me, you're not getting any info. And did you really think I didn't know

Spencer was feeding you tips?.ne

pointless Even if you go after them now, it's already too late."