Chapter 2 - The Hostage
David instinctively shielded Sophie entirely with his own body as he stared down the barrel of the suppressed weapon.
He cursed his own arrogance for believing he could corner a ruthless killer without facing immediate, deadly consequences.
"Put the gun down, Vanessa, this is completely over," David reasoned, trying desperately to keep his voice steady.
Vanessa simply laughed a hollow, echoing laugh that sent a terrible chill straight down his spine.
"It is only over when I safely walk out of this house with your massive fortune," she sneered.
She gestured aggressively with the weapon, ordering David to place the silver flash drive on the glass coffee table.
David knew that handing over his only leverage would immediately result in both of their deaths.
"If you shoot us, the gunshot will alert the estate security guards patrolling outside," David warned her.
Vanessa shook her head, her beautiful face twisting into an ugly mask of pure malice.
"I fired the night shift security team two hours ago, claiming you wanted complete privacy for the evening," she revealed.
They were entirely alone in the massive, isolated mansion sitting on ten acres of private woodland.
David slowly reached out and placed the silver flash drive gently onto the glass table.
Vanessa smiled victoriously and stepped forward to claim her stolen prize.
As she reached down, David secretly pressed his heel against a hidden panic button installed in the floorboards.
The heavy steel security shutters violently slammed down over every window and door in the living room.
The smart house immediately locked them inside a completely impenetrable, bulletproof vault.
"You are trapped in here with us now, and the police are automatically notified," David declared confidently.
Vanessa did not scream or panic at the sudden lockdown of the room.
She casually picked up the flash drive and slipped it into her pocket.
"The police are not coming, David, because I severed the main fiber-optic communication line this morning," she stated calmly.
She raised the heavy pistol again, pointing it directly at his chest.
"Besides, I am not actually trapped in this room alone with you," Vanessa smiled wickedly.
The heavy wooden doors of the adjoining library slowly creaked open behind David.
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He turned his head and felt his heart completely drop into his stomach.
His most trusted corporate lawyer and best friend, Marcus, stepped into the room holding a thick roll of duct tape.
