As Vaughn and Eliza drove away from the Monroe mansion, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the city of Baltimore in a twilight glow.
Just as they merged onto the highway, Vaughn's phone buzzed in the cup holder, disrupting the peace of the moment. He glanced at the screen, and Eliza noticed a sudden tension in his jaw. Vaughn's usual calm demeanor shifted, his grip on the steering wheel tightening ever so slightly.
"What's wrong?" Eliza asked, concern lacing her voice.
Vaughn didn't answer immediately. Instead, he tapped the screen to open the message, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the contents. His entire posture changed, becoming alert and focused.
"We need to make a detour," he finally said, his tone clipped and serious.
Eliza's heart skipped a beat. She knew Vaughn well enough to recognize that something was off. "What's going on, Vaughn?"
