Chapter 39
I stared at my phone, reading Rachel’s message for the twentieth time since it had arrived at 3:17 AM
The hospital security footage playing on the FBI safe house’s laptop showed exactly what had happened–Rachel’s team disguised as orderlies, the swift abduction, the trail of Caspian’s blood leading to the parking garage before disappearing.
He thought he was protecting you. How touching. Now it’s your
t’s your turn to save him.
The attached photo of Caspian, bloodied but defiant, made my stomach knot,
“Mark’s out of danger,” Agent Thompson announced, entering the kitchen. “But still no sign of Caspian.”
Isolde appeared in the doorway. “I might know somewhere safer we could go.
Id go. Somewhere Rachel
wouldn’t expect.
“This is an FBI safe house,” Thompson objected.
“She found the hospital despite your protection, Isolde countered. “We need alternatives.”
“‘
I made my decision. “I’m m done hiding. Take the to
this
place.”
Victory Towers stunned me with its opulence–fifty floors of gleaming glass and steel with security y that impressed even Agent Martinez
“Ms. Bennett, I’m Katherine Chen,” a polished woman greeted us. “I’ll be showing you the penthouse today.”
As Katherine guided us through the luxurious apartment with its panoramic city views and state–of–the–art security system, I noticed Isolde’s strange familiarity with the layout.
She seemed to anticipate each room before Katherine introduced it, her eyes lingering on certain features with recognition.
During the tour of the security features, Isolde’s phone rang. She stepped away, her expression growing more troubled with each passing second. When she rejoined us, her face had lost all color.
“Blake just called,” she said quietly. “They found traces of Caspian’s blood at an abandoned factory across town, along with evidence that Rachel had been using it recently.”
A chill ran through me. Something about this entire situation fell orchestrated.
The timing of this apartment viewing seemed too convenient, and Isolde clearly
knew more than she was saying.
“Katherine,” I said, turning to the real estate agent, “this place is incredible, but there’s obviously something you’re not telling me. Who owns this apartment? What’s really going on here?”
Katherine exchanged a glance with Isolde, who gave a small nod,
The apartment belongs to Caspian Drake, Katherine admitted. “He purchased it six months ago as a secure residence for you, should you ever need it.”
I felt as though the floor had dropped from beneath me. “Caspian bought this? For me?”
“He finalized everything two weeks ago, Katherine continued, “right after those initial threats. The first year’s expenses are completely covered.”
my
“And you didn’t think to mention this earlier?” I turned to Isolde, anger rising in my voice.
“Caspian made me promise not to tell you unless it became absolutely necessary, she replied. He didn’t want you to feel obligated or…. uncomfortable with his gesture
Katherine handed me an envelope and key fob. “Mr. Drake left these for you.”
quide was a handwritten letter revealing Caspian’s foresight–and his belief that Rachel would take him to Westfield High’s library, a place with personal
essage mentioned high school library.
Agent Martinez’s phone rang. They found Drake a phone at the factory. The last unsent message
He knew exactly where the d take him,” I whispered, the letter trendling in my hand.
The puster bedroom stopped me in my tracks.
Chapter 39
One side of the closet contained a few of Caspians things: the other was empty, waiting for me.
On a shelf sat my worn copy of Nietzsche’s “Beyond Good and Evil” that I’d thought lost years ago, alongside my undergraduate philosophy department. ID:
He had kept them all this time, tokens from when we’d first met.
My reflection was interrupted by Blake’s arrival with a heavy–duty external hard drive.
“Caspian gave me this after the hospital press conference,” he explained. “Contains everything–financial records, memos, whistleblower testimonies. The complete case against both Rachel and her father.”
“This is what R
Rachel wants,” I realized. This is why she took him.”
The apartment intercom buzzed. “Ms. Bennett, there’s a woman insisting on seeing you. Diana Wright.
“Palmers lawyer,” Blake muttered. How did
d she find this place?”
Diann entered with cold precision. “Daniel Palmer has been released on bail. The judge found the evidence insufficient.”
“Under duress, no doubt,” Blake said.
ed to dele
I’ve been asked to deliver terms,” Diana continued, handing me a folder. “Ms. Palmer proposes a trade–Mr. Drake for the hard drive. The exchange at Westfield High’s library, one hour from now. You come alone.”
Inside the folder was a fresh photo of Caspian, bound to a chair in the library, braised and bleeding.
“I be there,” I said firmly
After Diana lell, we moved quickly.
“Make copies of everything,” Linstructed. “Send them everywhere.”
“Already on it,” Blake confirmed. ‘But Rachel will know we’ve done this.”
“I’m counting on it,” I replied. “This isn’t just about erasing evidence–it’s about power. She wants to see me break.“,
Martinez arranged tactical support while Blake prepared a decoy drive and communications.
Standing at the penthouse windows, I felt a strange calm settle over inc.
This space should have been a sanctuary.
Instead, it had become the staging ground for confrontation.
My phone chimed with another message from Caspian’s number–another photo, this que showing Rachel’s hand possessively on his shoulder.
Tick Tock, Sage. He’s waiting. Are you coming to save him, or will you hide behind your FBI friends?
As I prepared to leave, Isolde pulled me aside. “Will you keep the apartment? After this is over?”
“Let’s make sure there is an after first,” I replied, checking my concealed bulletproof vest and the decoy drive.
Be careful.” Isolde called after me.
“Im done being careful,” I answered, stepping into the elevator. “It’s time Rachel understood what happens when you earner someone with nothing left to
The elevator doors closed, and I gri
gripped the drive Lighter.
My mind flashed in the school labdary four plan Martinez had shown me, to the multiple entry points, to the weight of the small canister in my pocket that
and pressed into my hand-“Imurance,” he called it.
rat, Martinezu state crackled. Tram in position. Thermal imaging shows three heat signatures in the library. Rachel, Caspian, and -wall, sansething i
A cold knot formed in my stomach. “What’s happening?”
Chapter 39
“Unknown. Hold position until Martinez’s voice cut off abruptly, replaced by static
My phone buzzed with a video message from an unknown number.
The footage showed Rachel standing behind Caspians chair, a knife tracing his jawline. Behind them stood Daniel Palmer himself no longer in custody.
“Change of plans,” Rachel’s voice purred through the video. Daddy wanted to join our little reunion. The FBI teams surrounding the school are currently… Indisposed. If you alert anyone else, he dies immediately. And Sage? Ive always admired how you chase the truth, so here’s one for you: This was never about the evidence. This was about making you choose between justice and love. Tick tock.”
The
e video ended, revealing a timer counting down from fifteen minutes.
I stepped out of the elevator, truly alone.
The decoy drive suddenly felt useless in my hand.
But as my fingers brushed against the canister in my pocket, a dangerous smile crossed my face.
Chapter Comments
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who is Daniel Palmer? wasn’t his name Jeffrey
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