Chapter 18: Explosion at Benson's Tower
1094 Words
The abrupt buzzing of Harriet’s phone shattered the eerie silence of her office. Darren’s name flashed on the screen, sending a jolt through her chest.
“Darren,” she answered, her voice tight.
“Harriet,” Darren began, his voice low and urgent, “Arthur’s losing control. He’s been meeting with his legal team nonstop, but something’s off. He’s not just preparing for the trial anymore, he’s desperate. I’ve been tracking his movements, and he’s plotting something dangerous.”
Harriet’s body tensed as the words hit her. She straightened in her chair, grip tightening on the phone. “Dangerous? What do you mean?”
“I don’t have all the details yet. But I’ve heard whispers he’s involving someone outside his usual circle. High-level connections. This isn’t just about his defense anymore, Harriet. He’s planning a final, desperate move.”
Harriet’s stomach churned, but she kept her voice steady, suppressing the rising panic. “Do you think it’s an attempt to manipulate the trial?”
“Maybe. Or worse,” Darren said, his voice laced with concern. “Arthur’s cornered, and men like him will do the unthinkable when cornered.”
Before Harriet could respond, Rachel stepped into her office, her face pale. “Harriet, there’s talk that Arthur might try to flee the country.”
“Flee?” Harriet repeated, her voice laced with disbelief.
“It’s more than speculation. I’ve seen reports circulating in some outlets. They’re saying he could disappear before the trial begins.”
Harriet’s jaw clenched as anger surged through her. “That won’t happen,” she said coldly. “We’ll make sure the authorities are watching him closely. He’s not slipping through the cracks, not on my watch.”
Rachel nodded, but the tension in her eyes didn’t ease. Harriet turned back to her phone. “Darren, keep digging. I want to know who Arthur’s working with and what he’s planning. I don’t care how late it gets.”
“You’ve got it,” Darren replied. “But Harriet… be careful. If Arthur is this desperate, he won’t hesitate to cross lines he never dared to cross before.”
Harriet ended the call, staring at her phone for a moment. The weight of Darren’s warning settled over her like a cloud, thick with the unknown. Just as she was about to take a breath, her phone buzzed again. She answered immediately.
“Harriet, you need to leave. Now,” Darren said, his voice sharper than before.
“What?” Harriet asked, startled. “What’s going on?”
“Arthur’s team is moving, and it’s bad. He’s planning something tonight. I don’t have the full picture yet, but it’s serious. Get somewhere safe, immediately.”
Harriet’s mind raced as she tried to make sense of Darren’s urgency. “Do you think he’s targeting me directly?”
“I don’t know. But I’m not taking any chances. I’ve already arranged for someone to escort you. Just grab what you need and go.”
Harriet hesitated, her instincts at war. Confront or retreat? The thought of running made her stomach churn.
“All right,” she said, grabbing her coat and phone. “I’m leaving now.”
As Harriet stepped into the bustling street, an icy wind stung her skin, but it wasn’t the chill in the air that made her uneasy. The city felt different to her, tense, like a thread stretched to its breaking point.
A dark car slowed and parked by the side of the street. The driver gave her a brief nod as she approached. She stepped into the car, and the door shut with a soft click.
“Where are we going?” she asked, her voice calm but firm.
“Safe house,” the driver replied. “Darren’s orders.”
As the car pulled away, her phone buzzed again. Darren’s message flashed across the screen: He’s going after more than just you. Be ready.
Her pulse quickened. More than just me? Was Arthur targeting her company? Her team? Or was it something darker, more dangerous? The questions churned in her mind, each one more unsettling than the last.
The city passed by in a blur as the driver maneuvered through the streets. Harriet stared out the window, her mind racing. Whatever Arthur was planning, it was more than just survival; it was vengeance. An icy shiver ran down her spine as the weight of it sank in.
When they arrived at the safe house, a simple apartment in a quiet part of the city, Harriet stepped inside and locked the door behind her. The silence inside was overwhelming, broken only by the faint sound of traffic outside.
She paced the small living room, the phone gripped tight in her hand. Darren’s warning echoed in her mind, each word cutting deeper. What was Arthur planning? What was he willing to risk? The questions gnawed at her.
An hour passed, then another. The waiting gnawed at her, each second stretching longer than the last. She checked her phone repeatedly, but no new messages came.
Just as exhaustion threatened to overtake her, her phone buzzed again. Darren’s name lit up the screen, and she answered immediately.
“It’s started,” Darren said, his voice heavy. “Arthur’s making his move.”
Harriet’s heart pounded. “What move?” she demanded. “What has he done?”
“I don’t have all the details yet, but there’s been an explosion at Benson's Tower. The authorities are already calling it criminal sabotage.”
The words hit her like a physical blow. “An explosion?” she whispered, her mind struggling to process.
“It’s bad, Harriet. And I’m almost certain Arthur’s behind it. This isn’t just desperation, it’s chaos.”
Harriet’s blood ran cold as the realization hit her. “What are the authorities saying?” She asked, forcing her voice to remain calm.
“They’re already investigating. But if Arthur orchestrated this, he'd covered his tracks well. For now.”
Harriet’s hands trembled as she gripped the phone. “We need to stay ahead of this. If Arthur thinks this is his way out, he’s wrong. We’ll expose him for what he’s done.”
“I’m already working on it,” Darren assured her. “But Harriet… be careful. If he’s willing to go this far, there’s no telling what else he’ll do.”
As Harriet ended the call, she stood in the middle of the small apartment, the weight of the moment pressing down on her. Outside, the city lights flickered, unaware of the storm brewing inside her.
- Writer
