The bus rolled through the city like a metal whale through an urban sea, its passengers oblivious to the drama unfurling in their midst. The hum of conversation, the rustle of newspapers, and the murmur of headphones provided a cloak of normalcy that Tim was determined to use to his advantage.
Tim glanced at his watch, calculating the minutes to the next stop. He needed to alert the authorities without arousing the suspicion of the man who sat too still, his eyes darting nervously around as if searching for threats. Tim’s mind raced, brainstorming diversions and strategies that might allow him to contact the police discreetly.
