I scanned the freeway. Darkness shrouded the cars, but from the pace of traffic I could tell all of the ones around us were automated. He can’t catch us in an automated car.

She squeezed my hand. “And what about you? Are you in danger?”

“I’ll be fine. I’ll…I’ll leave town for a couple of days.”

“Then Pape will give up?”

“Abby, Cleary infected Pape with the nanites.” I paused. “He’ll be dead in another day, I think.”

“Oh.” Abby turned toward the window and remained silent for several moments. “Where’s my flight going?”

“Albuquerque was the next flight. Abby, I’m sorry you’re having to leave this way.” My words came out in a rush. I wanted her to grasp the gravity of the situation. “I just thought—”

Something on the freeway behind us caught my eye. The way the lights were moving through traffic, weaving in and out of the automated cars. A self-operated vehicle. We had been followed.

“Abby—” Panic filled my voice.

She sat up straight. “Creighton, what?”

“Abby, get down!” I shoved her low into her seat. I looked toward the lights. They were half a mile behind us and gaining fast.

I addressed our car’s Grid interface. “Can this vehicle accelerate…emergency accelerate?”

“The emergency override feature can only be activated by the municipal transportation department. I can contact the department if you wish.”

“Yes! Do so!” I yelled. The car had closed to a quarter of a mile. “Is there any other way to…to stop or change course?”

Abby had inched back up in her seat, trying to peer out her window.

“Only the municipal transportation department can authorize traffic deviations on multilane thoroughfares. A representative will be with you—”

“Abby, get on the floor!”

She moved off the seat. “What is going on? Tell me!” I could tell she was anxious, but she didn’t sound as terrified as I felt.

I pressed my hand into her shoulder. “Just stay down.”

The car was within fifty yards. It moved into the lane next to Abby’s side of the car. I unbuckled the seat belt and tried to throw myself toward her, but she was wedged between me and her door.

Suddenly I heard a car pull alongside us. I wrapped my arms tightly around her body.

“Creighton,” I heard Abby’s muffled voice say, “it’ll be all right.”

There was a rapid series of booming sounds. Glass sprayed everywhere. I burrowed my face into her back. The adrenaline raced like a wildfire through my body, and I thought my heart would explode. I gripped Abby tighter, feeling her softness and warmth. The noise seemed to last forever. Finally it stopped.

“Abby!” I lifted my head, shaking off bits of glass. “Abby!”

She moaned. I reached my hand around her and felt a sticky wetness. “Abby!” I lifted her head. It was covered with blood. “Oh, God, no!”