Alice, initially lulled by the sea breeze as if it were a lullaby, responded halfheartedly. At the mention of Auckland, Alice's heart skipped a beat. Her phone slipped from her grasp, clattering onto the deck.
She quickly picked it up. The call was still connected, the other end silent.
A surge of unease washed over Alice like a storm abruptly breaking the tranquility of the sea. Everything was a facade, the so-called peace was nothing but a disguise.
"Alice, so your destination is Auckland." Having extracted the answer he sought, Raymond dropped his pretense, shedding his gentle facade to reveal a ruthless nature.
She heard Raymond issuing orders to his men, the whirring of helicopter blades starting up.
Finally, she heard his voice, as vicious and dangerous as a swamp. "Almost... go
