Chapter 2: The First Message
One week later, John returned to police headquarters.
Emily had asked him to take more time away from work, but sitting at home had become impossible. Every passing car made him look through the window. Every unfamiliar sound made his hand move toward his weapon.
Captain Miller met him at the entrance.
“You sure you’re ready?”
“No.”
Miller studied him.
“That’s not the answer I expected.”
“It’s the honest one.”
They walked into the operations room.
The three captured kidnappers had refused to cooperate. Each man claimed Victor had planned everything alone. None of them knew where he kept his money, weapons, or safe houses.
John stood before the evidence board.
Photographs of Victor, Elias Kane, the warehouse, and the black SUV covered the wall.
Miller folded his arms.
“Federal agents searched every property connected to the Kane family.”
“And?”
“Nothing.”
John stared at Victor’s photograph.
“He prepared for this years ago.”
Before Miller could answer, John’s phone vibrated.
A video had arrived from an unknown number.
John opened it.
Victor appeared on the screen, sitting in darkness.
His face was pale, and a fresh bandage covered his side.
“Hello, Detective.”
John’s jaw tightened.
Victor continued.
“The city believes I’m dead.”
He leaned closer to the camera.
“Let them.”
Behind him was a wall covered with photographs.
John recognized his house.
Emily’s car.
Lily’s school.
Victor smiled.
“You saved your daughter once.”
The video ended.
May you like
A final message appeared on the screen.
LET’S SEE IF YOU CAN DO IT AGAIN.
