Chapter 7 - The Hostage
We retreated to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Arthur was bleeding heavily, but Maria managed to patch his shoulder using a first-aid kit from the car.
My phone buzzed. It was an unknown number.
I answered it.
"Hello, Richard," Marcus’s voice echoed through the speaker, calm and dripping with malice. "You put up a good fight. But it’s over."
"It's over for you, Marcus. The DOJ is already on their way."
"I wouldn't be so sure," Marcus laughed softly. "Turn on the news, Richard."
I pulled out my phone and opened a local news broadcast. My heart completely stopped.
The headline read: WANTED FOR MURDER: RICHARD VANCE.
Marcus had manipulated the security footage from the charity gala, framing me for the murder of one of the cartel fixers we had left in the penthouse. I was now the most wanted man in California.
"Bring the laptop to the San Pedro docks at midnight," Marcus ordered. "Just you. If you don't show, I hand the 'evidence' of your murder to the DA. You'll get the lethal injection, Richard. Your move."
He hung up.
I looked at Maria and Arthur. The trap was perfectly sprung.
May you like
"You can't go," Maria pleaded, grabbing my arm. "He’s going to kill you the second you hand over that laptop."
"I know," I said, a cold, hard resolve settling over me. "But I’m not bringing the laptop. I'm bringing a match."
