Chapter 5: The Call
Marcus stared at the name on his phone.
He didn't answer.
The ringing continued.
Vanessa watched him.
Jordan watched Vanessa.
The showroom staff watched all three.
Finally, Jordan asked, “Who is calling?””
Marcus silenced the phone.
“Nobody you need to worry about.””
Vanessa's voice was tense.
“Answer it.””
Marcus looked at her.
“Why?””
“Because you clearly know what's happening.””
“I didn't say that.””
“You don't have to.””
The phone rang again.
Marcus glanced down.
The same caller.
He let it ring.
Vanessa took one step forward.
“Answer.””
Marcus slipped the phone into his pocket.
“No.””
Jordan stared at him.
“You're enjoying this.””
Marcus looked at him.
“No.””
“Then why aren't you scared?””
Marcus's eyes moved toward the locked doors.
“They opened.””
Jordan followed his gaze.
The entrance was now completely open.
Outside, the bright afternoon street was visible through the glass.
No one stood there.
No security guard.
No owner.
No police.
Nothing.
Vanessa walked toward the entrance.
Marcus said, “Don't.””
She stopped.
Slowly, she turned.
“Why?””
Marcus pointed at the floor.
A thin black cable ran beneath the reception desk and disappeared toward the showroom's main display area.
Jordan noticed it too.
“What is that?””
Vanessa stared.
“I don't know.””
Marcus walked closer.
The cable disappeared beneath the black luxury car.
Jordan's face tightened.
“You said the car wasn't special.””
Vanessa didn't answer.
Marcus looked at her.
“You're lying.””
She snapped back.
“You've been lying since you walked through that door.””
Marcus nodded.
“Maybe.””
Jordan looked between them.
“This is insane.””
He stepped toward the vehicle.
Vanessa grabbed his arm.
“Don't.””
Jordan pulled free.
“Why?””
“Because I said so.””
He stared at her.
Then at the car.
Then at Marcus.
“You're both hiding something.””
Marcus said quietly, “That's becoming obvious.””
Jordan's phone suddenly vibrated.
He pulled it out.
His expression changed.
Vanessa noticed.
“What?””
Jordan stared at his screen.
“It's from the owner.””
Vanessa moved toward him.
“What did he say?””
Jordan hesitated.
“Show me.””
He turned the phone toward her.
A single sentence filled the screen.
*GET AWAY FROM THE CAR.*
Vanessa's eyes widened.
Marcus looked at the vehicle.
Jordan took a step backward.
“Why?””
No answer.
He looked toward Vanessa.
“Why does he keep telling us to stay away from it?””
Vanessa's breathing became faster.
“I don't know.””
Marcus walked toward the car.
Vanessa immediately blocked him.
“You heard the message.””
“I did.””
“Then stop.””
Marcus looked past her.
The vehicle's glossy surface reflected the showroom lights.
“Move.””
“No.””
“Vanessa.””
“You don't understand what you're doing.””
Marcus's voice remained calm.
“Then explain it.””
She couldn't.
Jordan stepped closer.
“Vanessa, tell him.””
She shook her head.
“Not here.””
Marcus caught the words.
“Not here?””
Vanessa realized her mistake.
Jordan did too.
Marcus asked, “Where, then?””
Vanessa looked toward the glass walls.
Her eyes moved to the customers.
The employees.
The cameras.
Then back to Marcus.
“I need everyone out.””
Jordan stared at her.
“What?””
“Everyone. Now.””
One of the employees asked, “Why?””
Vanessa raised her voice.
“Please clear the showroom.””
The customers began moving toward the exit.
Marcus didn't move.
Jordan stayed.
When the last customer stepped outside, Vanessa walked to the entrance and looked through the glass.
Then she locked the doors again.
Jordan stared at her.
“You just locked us in.””
Vanessa turned around.
“Yes.””
Marcus looked at her.
“Why?””
Vanessa walked back toward the desk.
Her face had lost all color.
“Because if the owner is watching us…”
She stopped.
Marcus waited.
“…then he already knows we're alone.””
A sound came from the black luxury car.
Click.
Everyone turned.
The driver's door unlocked by itself.
Jordan whispered, “What the hell?””
Marcus stared at the car.
Vanessa backed away.
The interior lights came on.
And beneath the driver's seat, something began blinking red.
Marcus looked down at the old key fob in his hand.
May you like
Its light was no longer blinking.
It was solid.
