CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED AND TWO – A VITAL CONTACT

"Can I help you find something, dear?" The shopkeeper's voice made her jump. Inspiration struck. "Yes, actually," Jasmine said, louder than necessary. "I'm looking for a gift for my niece. She's about yea high, blonde hair?" As she chatted with the shopkeeper, describing a fictional child, she kept glancing at the window. The men were moving on, having not heard anything suspicious. Jasmine thanked the shopkeeper and slipped out the back door, her heart pounding. She continued through the city, taking a winding path to throw off any pursuit. As she passed a group of construction workers on their lunch break, she noticed one of them watching her too intently. Without breaking stride, Jasmine ducked into an alley, then another, doubling back on her path. She emerged onto a different street, blending into a group of office workers heading back from lunch. Time ticked by as Jasmine made her way across the city. She avoided main streets, sticking to back alleys and less traveled route