CHAPTER 6- Trapped
1014 Words
“The code to his safe is 22504.” The blackmailer said over the phone the next day.
A wave of dread hit me. I had no way out of this. He had murdered Avery Goode and burned an entire house with people trapped inside. He wasn’t just dangerous, he was merciless. And now, he was threatening to frame me. If Ethan believed even half of it, I was finished.
So, I agreed.
“Take the East Wing.” He went on, “The guards rarely patrol that area. I’ll be waiting behind the garden tonight, 10 p.m.
Fear squeezed my lungs. I could hear my own breath shaking through the phone.
“Relax,” he said, completely emotionless. “You’ve made a wise choice. Don’t disappoint me.”
He hung up the call.
I returned to work, still tight with unease. Ethan was in the dining room, having breakfast. He was preparing to leave for an important meeting. I would strike after.
“Bennett!” He called for me with a sharp and deliberate voice.
I walked into the dining room, and saw him with a man, leaning slightly as they seemed to be discussing the recent events.
“I’ve spoken to the other shareholders. They've agreed to attend the meeting. We should be leaving in an hour.” The man explained.
I cleared my throat politely. “Sorry to interrupt, but you called for me?”
Both turned to look at me.
“Yes, Bennett. Get a cup of coffee for my guest, please.”
He had never said ‘please’ to me before.
“Sure.” I replied, hurrying to prepare it. I was back a few minutes later, coffee steaming, and stood quietly at the side, slowly mixing in the condiments. They didn’t notice me.
“We need to find a way to convince the others that there’s no reason to panic.” Ethan said, his tone serious. “The last thing I need right now is a power shift.”
“That won’t happen, Sir.” The man replied, leaning back with a look of assurance. “I’ve already emailed everyone a copy of their investment portfolio. They would be stupid to lose confidence in you.”
Ethan grunted. "Did you send the package to Grey?"
"Yes Sir. I can confirm he's already seen it." The man said, a sly, knowing smile spreading across his face.
Something about the way they spoke made me feel they weren't referring to ordinary packages.
"Good." Ethan smirked. “Can you imagine? Two fires in one week! In my household!" He slammed his fist on the table. "When I find the miserable spy working for him, he'll regret ever being born."
I swallowed hard.
“Enjoy your coffee, George. I’ll go get ready for the meeting.”
Once Ethan left, I served the man his coffee.
“You’re the girl paying back her father’s debts.” He said before I could leave. It sounded more like a statement than a question.
“I am.” I responded.
“Ethan seems to like you,” he said smugly, taking a slow sip of his coffee. “He speaks to you softly. In all the time I’ve known him, I’ve never heard him say ‘please’.”
“I’m just doing my job.” I muttered, brushing past him.
“Mmm-hmmm.”
I left before he could add anything else.
After they left the estate, I waited about an hour before heading to the east wing.
The blackmailer was right, it was nearly deserted, just two security guards who I easily maneuvered.
The office door was unlocked, so I slipped in. I entered the combination, and the safe opened automatically. Inside were several folders stuffed with documents, and stacks of dollar bills arranged neatly in bundles.
I searched through the folders until I found one labeled CONFIDENTIAL. I grabbed it and shut the safe.
Just as I stood up to leave, I heard voices outside the office.
My heart jumped. I quickly hid behind the curtain.
Ethan walked in a second later. He went straight to his desk and started shuffling through some papers, probably searching for something important. I held my breath the entire time. He was so close to where I was hiding. One wrong move and that would be the end of me.
After a moment, he seemed to find the document he wanted and headed out. But just as the door closed, I heard a soft clicking sound. The same sound the lock made.
No. He had locked the office. With me trapped inside.
My chest tightened as panic began to rise.
What if I stayed locked here all night and couldn’t deliver? There was no telling what the blackmailer would do.
But whatever it was, I was sure Ethan Vance would do worse if I was caught.
Minutes dragged like hours as I stood behind the curtains, barely breathing. Fear prickled up my spine. When I glanced at my watch, dread washed over me. My time was slipping away.
Just as I was about to give up hope, the door clicked again. I let out a shaky breath. I needed to get out… now. I was about to come out of hiding, when footsteps entered the office.
Ethan.
He sat at his desk and opened his laptop, still completely unaware that I was only a few feet behind him. My legs vibrated beneath me, numb from standing, weak from fear. It didn’t look like he planned on leaving any time soon.
Suddenly, a metallic snap cracked through the silence.
It was a gun.
“Come out.” Ethan ordered.
Cold fear raced through me. How did he know? I hadn’t moved an inch. Hadn’t even breathed too loudly. There was no way—
“I know you’re behind that curtain. I won’t hesitate to shoot.”
Slowly, I stepped forward, the folder held tight against my chest. Maybe by some miracle, he wouldn’t notice it.
But then his face shifted; shock, confusion, disbelief all at once.
“Andrea?”
Fuck!
- Writer
