Chapter 1
PrologueTwelve Years Earlier – Marbella
The sun was already low in the sky when Richard Bennett parked his car in front of the garage. The mechanics returning from the track were slowly putting away their tools, while the engineers discussed the results of that day’s tests.
Eight-year-old Ava was waiting for her father at the garage entrance. As soon as she saw him get out of the car, she ran toward him.
AVA: Dad! You promised I could try it on!
Richard looked at the helmet in his hands.
RICHARD: I remember. But let me catch my breath first.
AVA: I’ve been waiting all afternoon.
RICHARD: I can see that.
He knelt in front of her and carefully placed the helmet on her head. Ava tried to look around, but the helmet tipped forward, almost completely covering her face.
AVA: I can’t see anything!
Richard laughed as he adjusted it.
RICHARD: It’s still a little too big for you.
AVA: I’ll grow into it.
RICHARD: I’m sure you will.
Ava held the helmet with both hands and turned toward the track.
AVA: Will I get to drive here someday?
RICHARD: When you’re old enough, you’ll learn to drive, and if you get permission, you can.
AVA: And what if I’m faster than you?
RICHARD: Then I’ll be very proud of you.
AVA: Even if I beat you?
RICHARD: Even then. Although I wouldn’t make it easy for you.
Ava laughed, then took off the helmet. Richard took it from her and placed it on the workbench.
The little girl watched the cars for a while.
AVA: Dad, do you ever get scared when you’re driving?
Richard was surprised by the question.
RICHARD: Of course.
AVA: But you’re a really good driver.
RICHARD: That doesn’t mean something can’t go wrong.
AVA: Then why do you race?
RICHARD: Because I love it. But I have to know when it’s not safe to go out on the track.
Ava thought about that for a while.
AVA: I still want to be as good as you someday.
Richard gently stroked her hair.
RICHARD: I’d be happy about that. But I’d be even happier if you were smarter than me.
TYLER: Richard!
Tyler Walk was approaching from the garage. He was holding a folder, and the expression on his face made it clear that he wasn’t simply coming over for a chat.
TYLER: The engineers are already waiting. Can we start?
Richard stood up.
RICHARD: Did you talk to them about yesterday’s report?
TYLER: I did.
RICHARD: And?
Tyler glanced at Ava.
TYLER: We’d better discuss this inside.
Richard looked at him for a moment, then nodded.
RICHARD: Ava, go back to your mother. I’ll be there soon.
AVA: But I still wanted to see the inside of the car.
RICHARD: I’ll show you tomorrow, okay?
AVA: Promise?
RICHARD: I promise I’ll come find you as soon as I’m finished.
Ava hugged him one more time before heading toward the building.
Richard waited until the door closed behind her.
RICHARD: All right. Now you can tell me.
Tyler opened the folder.
TYLER: They reviewed yesterday’s test results again.
RICHARD: I’ve seen the report. That’s why I’m asking you.
TYLER: Then you also saw that they approved the next test.
RICHARD: Yes. And that’s exactly my problem.
Richard took one of the papers out of the folder.
RICHARD: Here it is. The same fault appeared again, just like before. And yet, at the end, it says no further investigation is necessary. How is that possible?
TYLER: I didn’t write the report.
RICHARD: But you can authorize the next test.
Tyler closed the folder.
TYLER: Richard, I know you’re worried.
RICHARD: I’m not worried. I’m telling you the car isn’t ready.
TYLER: Give me until tonight. I’ll look into it.
RICHARD: We need to make a decision today. They want to test it again tomorrow morning.
Tyler didn’t answer immediately.
RICHARD: Would you really put someone behind the wheel of that car?
TYLER: I didn’t say that.
RICHARD: Then let’s stop it.
A mechanic stepped out of the garage and told Tyler that they were waiting for him in the office.
Tyler turned back to Richard.
TYLER: Come inside. We’ll go through the data together.
Richard glanced at his helmet on the workbench, then followed him.
The lights were still on in the office. Documents were scattered across the desk, and the computer screen displayed the results of the previous day’s test.
Tyler closed the door behind them.
RICHARD: There’s still one thing I don’t understand.
TYLER: What?
RICHARD: Who decided that this fault could be ignored?
Tyler walked over to the computer.
TYLER: That’s exactly what we’re going to find out now.
But Richard didn’t sit down.
He had known Tyler far too long not to notice when he was avoiding a question.
