Chapter 2: The Missing Secure Case
Chapter 2: The Missing Secure Case
The parking garage fell into complete silence.
Officer Mark Reynolds instinctively stepped backward as eight armed security officers formed a protective circle around Daniel. Their movements were flawless, disciplined, and frighteningly efficient. None of them raised their weapons, but every person present understood they were trained professionals.
The team leader extended a respectful hand toward the teenager.
"Daniel, are you injured?"
Daniel slowly shook his head.
"I'm okay."
Only then did the officer notice the red mark across Daniel's cheek where he had been forced against the SUV.
His expression immediately darkened.
"Who did this?"
Daniel glanced toward Officer Reynolds but remained silent.
The security officer didn't need an answer.
He had already seen enough.
At that moment, the rear door of the lead armored SUV opened.
A tall man in a charcoal-gray suit stepped out with calm authority. His silver hair and composed expression commanded instant respect. Even before he spoke, everyone instinctively moved aside.
Daniel's frightened face softened.
"Dad..."
Richard Carter walked directly toward his son without looking at anyone else.
He placed both hands on Daniel's shoulders, carefully checking for injuries.
"Are you hurt?"
"No."
"Did anyone search your belongings?"
Daniel hesitated.
"They opened the wallet."
Richard closed his eyes for one brief second.
When he opened them again, every trace of warmth had disappeared.
He slowly turned toward Officer Reynolds.
"You searched my son without listening to a single explanation."
The officer tried to maintain confidence.
"Sir, he was standing beside an expensive vehicle and claimed it belonged to his father. I had reasonable suspicion."
Richard spoke quietly.
"You laughed before asking for evidence."
Officer Reynolds swallowed.
"I was performing my duty."
"So were we."
Richard held out his hand.
"The wallet."
The officer reluctantly returned it.
Richard carefully examined the contents.
The metal identification card remained inside.
The encrypted access chip was untouched.
For a brief moment, he appeared relieved.
Then his expression suddenly changed.
His eyes searched every compartment inside the wallet.
Again.
And again.
His voice became dangerously calm.
"Daniel..."
"Yes?"
"Where is the secure case?"
Daniel froze.
His face lost all color.
"The... the case?"
"The titanium case I gave you this morning."
Daniel spun around toward the black SUV.
The rear passenger door remained open from the police search.
His backpack sat on the seat.
His books were there.
His jacket.
His laptop.
But the silver titanium case...
...was gone.
"I left it right there," Daniel whispered.
Richard's eyes narrowed.
"Think carefully."
"I never touched it after we parked."
The security team leader immediately pressed a finger against his earpiece.
"All units, priority alert."
"Secure every exit."
"Nobody leaves this structure."
Within seconds, security officers sprinted toward every entrance and exit of the parking garage.
Heavy steel security barriers dropped across the vehicle ramps with a deafening crash.
Cars attempting to leave slammed on their brakes.
Drivers leaned on their horns in confusion.
Pedestrians stared as electronic gates locked into place.
Officer Reynolds looked around in disbelief.
"You can't shut down a public parking garage!"
The team leader calmly replied,
"We already have."
Richard ignored the argument.
His attention remained fixed on the empty back seat.
"What exactly happened after Daniel arrived?"
One security officer replayed footage from the SUV's onboard cameras.
The screen showed Daniel parking.
Picking up his backpack.
Closing the driver's door.
Seconds later, Officer Reynolds approached.
The confrontation began immediately.
Then the footage briefly shook as someone walked behind the vehicle.
The camera angle captured only a dark hooded figure.
The person never looked toward the camera.
Within three seconds, the rear passenger door opened.
A gloved hand reached inside.
The silver titanium case disappeared beneath a long black coat.
The thief calmly walked away.
No panic.
No hesitation.
As if they had known exactly what they were looking for.
The recording ended the moment the elevator doors closed behind the stranger.
Daniel stared at the screen.
"I never even saw them."
Neither had Officer Reynolds.
He felt his stomach tighten.
Everything had happened while he was focused entirely on accusing Daniel.
Richard's voice became colder than the concrete around them.
"How long ago?"
"Approximately four minutes and twelve seconds," replied the security officer.
Richard checked his watch.
"Four minutes is enough."
"For what?" Reynolds asked.
Richard slowly looked at him.
"For someone to disappear."
A technician suddenly shouted from another armored SUV.
"Sir!"
"We've accessed the building cameras."
"Can you identify the suspect?"
The technician hesitated.
His face turned pale.
"No..."
Richard frowned.
"What do you mean, no?"
The technician turned the monitor toward everyone.
Every camera inside the garage showed the same thing.
The mysterious figure appeared perfectly clear...
...until the moment anyone tried to zoom in.
Then the image dissolved into digital static.
Frame after frame.
Camera after camera.
It was as if the stranger didn't merely avoid surveillance.
Someone had designed them to erase themselves from it.
A chilling silence spread through the garage.
Richard Carter spoke only four words.
"This wasn't random theft."
May you like
Then he looked toward the sealed elevator doors.
"It was an extraction."
