"Which residential complex does your relative live in?" the officer asked, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized my face under the harsh beam of her flashlight.
The question caught me off guard for a split second. My mind raced, frantically searching for a believable lie within the geography of the city. I couldn't afford a single stumble; in this game of high-stakes bluffing amidst the neon nightlife, hesitation was a confession.
"It’s just past the third set of traffic lights, take a left," I rambled, waving my hand vaguely toward the north. "I can't recall the specific name of the place, honestly. I just follow the landmarks."
"Is it Creek Estates?" she prompted, her tone shifting toward a professional helpfulness that was even more dangerous than her suspicion.
"Yeah, that sounds r
