The van’s sliding door slammed shut with a metallic thud, plunging Elena into near-darkness. The smell of damp canvas and gasoline filled her nose. She was thrown sideways onto a padded bench as the vehicle lurched into motion.
Hands grabbed her wrists, snapping a plastic tie around them. Another pair of hands yanked her hood back.
“Got her,” a voice muttered. Male, rough, clipped like a soldier’s.
Elena twisted, heart hammering. Two men in black tactical jackets sat across from her, faces shadowed under caps. A third drove up front. No insignias, no names.
“Let me go!” she demanded, voice trembling but loud. “I don’t have anything!”
One of the men smirked. “You’ve got more than you think.” He pulled a small tablet from his pocket, swiping. “Decoy drive. Cute. You really think we’re s
