Chapter 5 - The Name That Changed Everything
"Laura Bennett," Emily said.
The stranger's calm expression vanished.
He immediately reached for his phone.
Daniel lunged toward him.
The construction worker blocked his path.
"Don't even try."
The stranger dialed a number.
No answer.
He called again.
Still nothing.
Emily's fear deepened.
"Why do you know Laura?"
The man looked directly at her.
"My name is Thomas Reed."
Daniel shouted from across the aisle.
"Don't listen to him."
Thomas ignored him.
"Laura contacted me three days ago."
Emily stared at him.
"About me?"
"About your husband."
Daniel stepped forward again, but this time three passengers moved between them.
Thomas continued.
"She believed you were in danger. She asked me to watch the bus terminal because she thought Daniel might follow you."
Emily struggled to understand.
"Why would she call you?"
Thomas glanced toward the dark windows.
"Because this isn't only about your marriage."
The sirens grew louder.
Daniel suddenly laughed.
Everyone looked at him.
The sound was cold and unnatural.
"You think the police will save her?"
Thomas's eyes hardened.
"What did you do?"
Daniel said nothing.
Thomas grabbed the front of his coat.
"What did you do to Laura?"
Emily's knees weakened.
The nurse supported her before she fell.
"Please," Emily whispered. "What is happening?"
Thomas released Daniel and spoke quickly.
"Your lawyer discovered financial records connected to your husband. Hidden companies. Fake identities. Payments made to people who had no obvious connection to his business."
Emily shook her head.
"Daniel works in logistics."
"No," Thomas said. "That is what he tells people."
Daniel's face became expressionless.
The abusive husband who had been shouting minutes earlier had disappeared.
In his place stood someone colder.
More controlled.
More dangerous.
The police arrived outside.
Two officers approached the front door.
The driver unlocked it.
Daniel suddenly turned toward Emily.
"You should have stayed home."
Before anyone could stop him, he reached into his jacket.
Passengers screamed and ducked.
Thomas struck Daniel's arm aside.
A small black object fell onto the floor.
It was not a gun.
It was a remote control.
One red button sat in its center.
The construction worker kicked it away.
Thomas stared at it.
"Where is the device?"
Daniel smiled.
"You'll find out."
A police officer entered and ordered everyone to stay still.
Thomas raised both hands.
"Officer, that man is dangerous."
The officer moved toward Daniel.
Then every phone inside the bus buzzed at the same time.
Messages appeared across dozens of screens.
Emily looked down at the nurse's phone.
A live video had been sent from an unknown number.
It showed Laura Bennett tied to a chair in a dark room.
A countdown glowed beside her.
Nine minutes.
May you like
Forty-three seconds.
And falling.
