Chapter 3 - The Blackmail
I stared at the metal object in the mud, too stunned to speak.
Roman reached down with a gloved hand and wiped the grime off the small, waterproof capsule.
"He swallowed it," I realized, piecing together why Titan had been so terrified and sick.
"I hid this inside his food bowl during the transfer," Roman confessed quietly.
He explained that his own uncle, Elias, was trying to frame him for a massive federal crime.
This capsule contained a microchip with enough evidence to send Elias to prison for the rest of his life.
"Elias must have found out and ordered the hit on me," Roman said, pocketing the cylinder.
We managed to find an abandoned subway maintenance tunnel to escape the freezing rain.
I used my sweater to dry Titan off, checking the dog for any more injuries.
The beast who had terrified four armed guards was now resting his heavy head softly on my lap.
Roman watched us for a long time, the cold calculation in his eyes softening just a fraction.
"I am sorry I dragged you into this," he said, and for the first time, he actually sounded genuine.
Before I could respond, the burner phone in Roman’s pocket began to vibrate loudly.
He answered it on speakerphone, the harsh echoes bouncing off the damp concrete walls.
"Hello, nephew," a raspy, cruel voice greeted him.
Roman’s jaw clenched so hard I thought his teeth might shatter.
"Elias," he growled.
"I see you found the tracking device," Elias chuckled dryly.
"It does not matter, I have the evidence," Roman shot back.
"Do you?" Elias mocked.
A second voice came over the line, crying and pleading for help.
My blood ran completely cold.
May you like
It was my younger sister, Chloe.
"Bring me the drive in one hour, or the girl dies," Elias said before the line went dead.
