Chapter 6 - The Countdown
Panic spread through the bus.
Passengers crowded around their phones, each screen showing the same silent video.
Laura Bennett sat beneath a hanging light, her wrists bound behind a metal chair. A strip of tape covered her mouth. Blood marked one side of her forehead.
Behind her stood a locked steel door.
Beside her, the red countdown continued.
9:18.
9:17.
9:16.
Emily stopped breathing.
"My lawyer..."
Thomas took the nearest phone and examined the image.
The police officer grabbed Daniel and forced his hands behind his back.
"Where is she?"
Daniel remained silent.
The officer tightened the handcuffs.
"Answer me."
Daniel smiled.
Thomas studied the video carefully.
No windows.
Concrete walls.
A faint mechanical vibration.
Something flashed across his face.
"Pause it."
The nurse touched the screen.
Thomas zoomed in on a small silver pipe visible near the ceiling.
"I know that building."
Daniel's smile weakened.
Thomas looked at the officer.
"Old Franklin freight depot. East warehouse district."
"How can you be sure?"
"That pipe carries hydraulic oil. The depot used the same exposed system before it closed."
The officer spoke into his radio, urgently requesting units at the location.
Emily stared at Daniel.
"Why would you hurt Laura?"
He looked at her without emotion.
"She refused to stay out of my life."
"Your life?"
"Everything was under control until you started asking questions."
Emily's tears returned.
"You said you loved me."
Daniel laughed softly.
"You were useful."
The words struck harder than any fist.
Thomas stepped between them.
"Don't listen to him."
Daniel looked toward Thomas.
"You still haven't told her who you really are."
Emily turned.
"What does he mean?"
Thomas did not answer immediately.
The countdown continued.
7:51.
7:50.
7:49.
Police vehicles raced away toward the depot.
One officer remained behind to transport Daniel.
Thomas looked at Emily.
"I worked with your father."
Emily's eyes widened.
"My father died twelve years ago."
Thomas nodded slowly.
"I know."
"He was an accountant."
"No."
The bus became silent again.
Thomas continued.
"Your father investigated organized smuggling networks. Daniel's family was connected to one of them."
Emily stared at her husband as if seeing him for the first time.
Daniel's expression revealed that Thomas was telling the truth.
Thomas lowered his voice.
"Your father died before he could complete his case."
Emily's hand tightened around the support pole.
"You think Daniel had something to do with it?"
Thomas hesitated.
Then he said the words that changed everything.
"I think Daniel married you because of it."
At that exact moment, the video feed flickered.
Laura's head lifted.
Someone entered the room behind the camera.
May you like
The timer dropped to seven minutes.
And the person who stepped into view was someone Emily recognized immediately.
