Chapter 5: The Woman in the Elevator
The woman who stepped from the elevator was Black, early forties, dressed in a cream-colored coat over a dark dress.
She stopped when she saw Marcus.
Her face went completely still.
Vanessa backed away from the reception desk.
“Mrs. Reed…”
The woman didn't look at her.
Her eyes remained on Marcus.
Jordan whispered, “That's the owner?””
The attorney nodded.
“Yes.””
Marcus said nothing.
Mrs. Reed took one step forward.
Then another.
She looked at the old key fob in Marcus's hand.
“You still have it.””
Marcus glanced down.
“You knew I would.””
Her eyes lifted.
“I hoped you wouldn't.””
Marcus gave a quiet smile.
“You always did prefer hope.””
Vanessa looked between them.
“Mrs. Reed, I can explain.””
Mrs. Reed turned toward her.
“Don't.””
One word.
Vanessa stopped.
Mrs. Reed's voice remained calm.
“Not here.””
Vanessa swallowed.
“But—”
“I said don't.””
Jordan stepped forward.
“Ma'am, I don't understand what's happening.””
Mrs. Reed looked at him.
“You don't need to.””
Jordan glanced at Vanessa.
“She told us he was just a customer.””
Mrs. Reed's eyes returned to Marcus.
“Is that what she told you?””
Jordan hesitated.
“Yes.””
Mrs. Reed gave a faint, humorless smile.
“She was wrong.””
Marcus looked toward the luxury sedan.
“Your car still recognizes it.””
Mrs. Reed's face tightened.
“Apparently.””
Jordan looked at the vehicle.
“What does that mean?””
Mrs. Reed didn't answer.
Instead, she walked toward Marcus.
Vanessa whispered, “Please don't.””
Mrs. Reed stopped.
“Please don't what?””
Vanessa's voice shook.
“Make this worse.””
Mrs. Reed stared at her.
“You made it worse the moment you lied.””
Vanessa's eyes filled with panic.
“I didn't have a choice.””
“There is always a choice.””
“No.””
“Yes.””
“You don't understand.””
Mrs. Reed took another step closer.
“I understand perfectly.””
Marcus watched silently.
The attorney moved beside Mrs. Reed.
“Ma'am, we should take this conversation somewhere private.””
Marcus shook his head.
“No.””
Mrs. Reed looked at him.
“You still don't trust me.””
“I trust what I can see.””
“And what do you see?””
Marcus looked around the showroom.
“People lying.””
Vanessa flinched.
Jordan stared at the floor.
Mrs. Reed's expression hardened.
“Who?””
Marcus looked at Vanessa.
Then Jordan.
Then the attorney.
“That's what I'm trying to find out.””
The attorney stepped forward.
“Enough.””
Marcus looked at him.
“You're nervous.””
“I'm concerned.””
“Same thing, sometimes.””
The attorney's jaw tightened.
Mrs. Reed held up her hand.
“Let him speak.””
The attorney stopped.
Marcus placed the key fob on the reception counter.
The red light blinked.
Mrs. Reed stared at it.
“Why did you activate it?””
Marcus answered simply.
“Because someone wanted me to.””
Vanessa's eyes widened.
“I never did.””
Marcus looked at her.
“I didn't say you did.””
She went silent.
Jordan frowned.
“Who wanted him to?””
Marcus looked at the elevator.
Mrs. Reed followed his gaze.
“You're looking for something.””
“Yes.””
“What?””
Marcus met her eyes.
“The truth.””
Mrs. Reed slowly nodded.
“Then you should know something.””
Marcus waited.
She glanced toward Vanessa.
“She isn't the only person who lied to you.””
Vanessa's head snapped up.
“Mrs. Reed!””
Jordan looked confused.
“What does that mean?””
Mrs. Reed turned toward him.
“It means you should be careful about what you repeat.””
Jordan's face paled.
Marcus watched him.
“Why?””
Mrs. Reed didn't answer.
The showroom doors suddenly locked.
Click.
Jordan turned.
“What was that?””
The attorney looked toward the entrance.
“Security protocol.””
Marcus shook his head.
“No.””
Everyone looked at him.
He pointed toward the reception desk.
“The system wasn't triggered by security.””
Mrs. Reed stared at him.
“How do you know?””
Marcus lifted the key fob.
The red light had changed.
It was now flashing rapidly.
Vanessa whispered, “Oh God.””
Jordan stepped backward.
“What does that mean?””
Marcus looked at Mrs. Reed.
“You tell me.””
Mrs. Reed's face tightened.
“I've never seen it do that.””
The attorney pulled out his phone.
“I'm calling security.””
Marcus said, “Don't.””
The attorney ignored him.
He tapped the screen.
No signal.
He tried again.
Nothing.
Jordan pulled out his own phone.
“Mine has no service either.””
Vanessa checked hers.
She stared at the screen.
“No signal.””
Mrs. Reed looked at Marcus.
“What did you activate?””
Marcus didn't answer.
The luxury sedan's dashboard went dark.
The showroom lights flickered.
Once.
Twice.
Then returned to normal.
A notification appeared on the car's screen.
*SYSTEM ACCESS — AUTHORIZED*
Jordan stared.
“Authorized by who?””
Marcus looked at Mrs. Reed.
She shook her head.
“Not me.””
The attorney stepped toward the vehicle.
Marcus held out an arm.
“Don't.””
The attorney stopped.
“Why?””
“Because it isn't waiting for you.””
A soft chime sounded from inside the car.
The trunk unlocked.
Everyone turned.
Vanessa covered her mouth.
Jordan whispered, “There's something in there.””
Mrs. Reed stared at Marcus.
“What did you come here looking for?””
Marcus looked at the opening trunk.
“Not that.””
“Then what?””
He didn't answer.
A second chime sounded.
The trunk lid began rising.
Inside was a single black case.
No label.
No lock.
No explanation.
Marcus stared at it.
Mrs. Reed whispered, “That's impossible.””
Marcus finally looked at her.
“Is it?””
She didn't respond.
The attorney moved toward the case.
Marcus stopped him again.
“Don't touch it.””
“Why?””
Marcus's expression hardened for the first time.
“Because that's not yours.””
The attorney froze.
Mrs. Reed looked at Marcus.
“Then whose is it?””
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Before Marcus could answer, the black case clicked open by itself.
And inside was something that made Vanessa scream.
