Episode5
1174 Words
In opposition to Christopher Lang!
I looked at him, my thoughts racing. I was mistaken about his being a criminal. He was attempting to defeat Lang.
Jerry turned to me before I could comprehend the gravity of this revelation. His eyes had a piercing edge, yet his face was unreadable.
So, "Now, Anita," he whispered. "What do you make of this?"
My mouth opened, but nothing came out. I had entered something much larger than I could have ever dreamed. Additionally, I wasn't certain that I would survive.
I glanced at the folders on the table, my head spinning. Coded messages, transaction logs, and photographs—proof of Christopher Lang's illicit activities. I wanted to take them in my hands and gaze at every detail, but I knew I couldn't afford to appear overly intrigued.
Jerry watched me with his arms crossed. "What do you think, Anita?"
I made an effort to look him in the eye while maintaining a neutral demeanour. "Looks like a lot of information."
The man who had turned over the files, the one in the grey suit, snorted. "That couldn't be more accurate. This might defeat Lang. permanently."
Jerry gave a slow nod, but his gaze remained fixed on mine. "And yet, you don’t seem surprised."
I tried to hide my racing thoughts with a shrug. "I don’t know enough to be surprised."
His presence was overwhelming as he took a step closer. "Is that so?"
Another man came into the room and started whispering to Jerry before I could respond. Jerry's face darkened at whatever he said. He suddenly turned to face me. "We’re leaving."
"What? However,"
His grip was firm but not painful when he took hold of my arm. "Now."
As Jerry took me outside, the men in the room looked at each other but remained silent. I shivered as we arrived at his car because the night air was so cold. He waited for me to enter by opening the passenger door.
"Where are we going?" With caution, I asked.
"Somewhere safer," he said in a whisper.
I paused. Every instinct shouted that I was getting too deep, too engaged in something hazardous. Nevertheless, I got inside the car.
Jerry's jaw tensed the moment he took the wheel. "You knew."
I tensed up. "Knew what?"
He looked at me sternly. "Don't act foolish, Anita. You were aware that I wasn't operating illegally. You were aware of my pursuit of Lang. I’m
I made a feeble attempt at laughing. "That is absurd. "How could I know that?"
He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. "You’re hiding something from me."
My throat became parched. "I’m just a maid, Jerry."
He gave a quiet laugh, but it was devoid of humour. "All right. Only a maid.
When we came to an empty section of the road, the car slowed. Jerry came to a stop and looked at me intently. "Tell me the truth, Anita. "Who are you?"
My pulse raced as I swallowed forcefully. "I…"
I was about to speak when I noticed two headlights in the rearview mirror. A car was coming quickly.
Jerry muttered an expletive. "Hold on."
He pushed his foot on the accelerator and sped away from the unidentified car behind us, the engine roaring.
What would happen if they caught up with us, and who was following us?
Other than the sound of our breaths, the car was quiet. Jerry's face was inches from mine when we locked eyes. I could feel the pounding of my heart in my throat.
Then he bent closer.
I hesitated, unsure whether to interrupt him or allow it to happen. His warm, masculine, and enticing aroma enveloped me. My face tipped up a little as his fingertips touched my chin.
However, before our mouths could meet—
Boom!
The air behind us trembled like an explosion. The ground shook, and a flaming glow filled the sky. Jerry snapped back into action and cursed, making my breath catch.
"Follow the gas and hold on to the steering wheel," he whispered. Smoke and dust swirled in the distance as the car drove ahead.
My thoughts were racing as I squirmed in my chair. "What was that?"
Jerry's mouth clenched. "A cautionary tale."
I felt the pressure of the moment as we drove in quietly. Jerry's knuckles were white and his hold on the wheel was tight.
He stopped at a remote spot close to the town's edge a few minutes later. He hurried out, gesturing for me to follow. With my heart still pounding from the near kiss and the explosion, I hesitated before leaving.
A secured metal briefcase was visible when he opened the trunk. "I have to have this. Lang's guys may already be aware of our whereabouts.
I folded my arms. "What's inside?"
He looked at me sternly. "Verify Lang's guilt." and a justification for his murder of me.
I felt a chill go through me. "Then let's move quickly."
We entered an abandoned building together. Jerry unfastened the briefcase and set it on a dusty table. I gasped as I looked inside.
Records, images, and recordings. Proof.
Jerry slammed the lid shut as I reached out. "Not just yet."
I took a deep breath. As I came to see that Jerry wasn't the villain I had thought him to be, the distinction between right and wrong became hazy.
Jerry dropped me off back at his estate after obtaining the evidence. Lost in meditation, he had been silent the whole way back. I was unable to read him.
Later that evening, I slipped into the hallway while holding my phone tightly. With my heart racing, I paused before calling Marcus.
Once, it rang. Twice. Then his voice could be heard. "Pierce?"
I muttered, "I don't have much time." "Jerry isn't what we initially believed. Instead of cooperating with Lang, he is gathering evidence against him.
A pause. "Are you sure?" then.
I bit my lip. Indeed. I witnessed it.
Marcus let out a breath. "Remain in place. Continue to collect data. We will determine the next course of action.
After hanging up, I turned to see Jerry observing me from the shadows.
My breath caught.
"You've been standing there for how long?" I asked, trying to speak in a calm voice.
His face was unreadable. "Enough time."
I took a deep breath. Did he hear it all?
It was difficult to fall asleep. My mind was racing with ideas concerning Lang, Marcus, and Jerry. Regarding my actions here.
I was awakened from my troubled sleep by a sound somewhere in the night.
A faint squeak.
I stopped breathing. My heart raced.
Slowly, I opened my eyes to get used to the dark surroundings. A shadow shifted close to the entrance. Panic grabbed at me and my throat dry.
Then the silence was broken by a whisper.
"You're not welcome here."
I let out a gasp.
Over me hovered a man in a mask.
In my chamber, who was it? Were they here to kill me?
- Writer
