Chapter 7: The Name Inside
Marcus did not touch the envelope.
For several seconds, nobody breathed normally.
The black envelope remained in the open compartment beneath the driver's seat, its handwritten name facing upward.
*MARCUS.*
Jordan stared at it.
“Did you see that move?””
Marcus nodded.
“Yes.””
Vanessa took another step backward.
“Don't open it.””
Marcus looked at her.
“You've said that before.””
“This is different.””
“How?””
Vanessa's eyes stayed fixed on the envelope.
“I don't know.””
Marcus almost smiled.
“You always say that when you know something.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“You don't understand.””
“Then explain it.””
“I can't.””
Jordan suddenly stepped toward her.
“You keep saying that.””
Vanessa looked at him.
“Jordan, please.””
“No. I'm done.””
He pointed toward the envelope.
“First you tell us the owner doesn't know him. Then you know his name. Then the owner sends messages telling us not to let him leave. Then he tells me not to trust you.””
Vanessa's face tightened.
“And now there's an envelope with Marcus's name inside a car you told us nobody was supposed to touch.””
Jordan's voice rose.
“What exactly are you hiding?””
Vanessa looked at Marcus.
“I was told to follow instructions.””
“By the owner?””
“Yes.””
“What instructions?””
“Keep the car here.””
Marcus glanced at the vehicle.
“Why?””
“I wasn't told.””
He looked back at her.
“That's convenient.””
Vanessa's jaw clenched.
“I was told one other thing.””
Marcus waited.
“If you came in…”
She stopped.
Jordan leaned forward.
“If he came in, what?””
Vanessa swallowed.
“I was supposed to make sure you didn't reach the car.””
Marcus looked at the open driver's door.
“You failed.””
“I know.””
The words came out almost inaudibly.
Jordan stared at her.
Marcus crouched beside the compartment.
His hand moved toward the envelope.
Vanessa suddenly said, “Marcus.””
He stopped.
She looked frightened.
“Before you open it, you need to understand something.””
Marcus looked up.
“What?””
“If the owner wanted you to have that…”
She pointed toward the envelope.
“…he wouldn't have hidden it.””
Marcus studied her.
“Unless he wanted me to find it without him being seen.””
Vanessa said nothing.
Jordan looked toward the ceiling.
“Are we still being watched?””
Marcus glanced at the red camera light reflected in the car's glossy hood.
“Yes.””
Jordan's face hardened.
“Then let them watch.””
Marcus pulled the envelope from the compartment.
It was heavier than it looked.
He turned it over.
No seal.
No address.
No date.
Only his name.
He slid one finger beneath the flap.
Vanessa closed her eyes.
“Don't.””
Marcus opened it.
Inside was a single photograph.
He pulled it out.
Jordan moved closer.
Vanessa stayed where she was.
Marcus looked at the photograph.
His expression changed.
Barely.
But enough.
Jordan noticed.
“What is it?””
Marcus didn't answer.
Jordan reached for the photograph.
Marcus handed it to him.
Jordan looked down.
His mouth fell open.
“What the…”
Vanessa stepped closer despite herself.
“What is it?””
Jordan held the photograph toward her.
She saw it.
Then immediately stepped backward.
The picture showed the same showroom.
The same polished marble floor.
The same black luxury car.
The same reception desk.
But the photograph had clearly been taken years earlier.
And standing beside the car was Marcus.
Younger.
Wearing different clothes.
His hand rested on the hood.
Beside him stood another Black American man.
Jordan looked at Marcus.
“You know him?””
Marcus stared at the photograph.
“Yes.””
Vanessa's voice trembled.
“Who is he?””
Marcus didn't answer.
Jordan looked again.
The man's face had been scratched out with something sharp.
Only his suit remained recognizable.
Vanessa noticed a small handwritten note at the bottom of the photograph.
She leaned closer.
“What does that say?””
Marcus turned the photograph over.
There was writing on the back.
He read it silently.
Jordan watched his face.
“What?””
Marcus finally spoke.
“It says, ‘If he comes back, give him the key.’”
Jordan looked at the old black fob in Marcus's hand.
Vanessa whispered, “That's impossible.””
Marcus looked at her.
“You've said that twice.””
“Because it is.””
“What year was this showroom built?””
Vanessa hesitated.
“Seven years ago.””
Marcus looked at the photograph.
“This picture is older than that.””
Jordan frowned.
“How could that be?””
Vanessa's eyes widened.
She looked toward the showroom entrance.
Then at the walls.
Then at the car.
Marcus noticed.
“What?””
Vanessa whispered, “This isn't the original showroom.””
Jordan looked at her.
“What?””
“The owner renovated this place.””
“When?””
“Two years ago.””
Marcus studied the photograph.
“Then why does it look identical?””
Vanessa didn't answer.
Jordan took the photograph back.
He stared at the image.
Then his eyes moved to the black luxury car.
“The car.””
Marcus looked at him.
Jordan pointed.
“That car.””
Marcus slowly turned.
The vehicle in the old photograph was the same model.
Same black paint.
Same unusual chrome trim.
Same cream interior.
Jordan's voice dropped.
“That's not possible.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“It was a special order.””
Marcus looked at the current vehicle.
Then the photograph.
Then the key fob.
Something clicked.
He turned the old fob over.
There was a tiny number etched into the plastic.
Jordan leaned closer.
“What does that say?””
Marcus read it.
“Seven.””
Vanessa's face went pale.
“Put it down.””
Marcus looked at her.
“Why?””
“Because that number isn't a model number.””
“What is it?””
Vanessa whispered, “It's a storage designation.””
Marcus looked toward the car.
“Storage for what?””
Vanessa didn't answer.
A loud metallic bang came from the back of the showroom.
Everyone turned.
Jordan whispered, “We're not alone.””
Another bang.
Closer.
Vanessa's phone vibrated.
She looked down.
One new message.
*OWNER: DO NOT LET MARCUS SEE THE SECOND PHOTO.*
Vanessa slowly raised her eyes.
Marcus was already looking at her.
“You're holding something.””
She didn't move.
Marcus stepped toward her.
“What did he send?””
Vanessa backed away.
“I can't show you.””
Marcus's eyes narrowed.
“Why?””
“Because…”
May you like
Her voice broke.
“…the second photograph has your name on it too.””
