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Before Elias could process the sight, the mask emitted a blinding flash of strobe light. He stumbled back, shielding his eyes as a high-pitched frequency tore through the air, scrambling his scanner and sending a piercing ache through his skull.

It was the only physical evidence left behind from the digital heist that had crippled the city's power grid. s070_041_lg.jpg

By the time Elias blinked away the white spots and regained his footing, the street was empty. The black sedan was gone, leaving nothing behind but tire tracks filling with rainwater and the smell of ozone. Before Elias could process the sight, the mask

Right on cue, the heavy iron doors of the warehouse groaned open. A figure stepped out into the downpour, wrapped in a dark, high-collared trench coat. The figure didn't look left or right, but walked with absolute purpose toward a black sedan waiting at the curb. By the time Elias blinked away the white

Elias didn't hesitate. He slipped out of his car, keeping low, his boots splashing quietly in the puddles. He needed to get close enough to clone the transmitter signal from the suspect's pocket.

The figure stopped mid-motion. Slowly, they turned around. Under the dim, flickering streetlamp, Elias felt his heart stop.