David Park

David Park
Sarah's POV

I took Elena's arm and hung up on Agent Martinez.

I muttered, "We need to leave this place immediately." "Martinez knows exactly where we are if she is the leader."

Elena staggered as she attempted to stand. She had split herself and was still too weak.

"I can't run, Sarah. You must leave me alone.

"Not at all. We remain united.

Just then, I heard footsteps outside the pool area in the hallway. Several people, attempting to remain silent.

"Detective Chen," said Agent Martinez in a charming voice. "I am aware that you are inside. Let's have an adult conversation about this.

I searched the pool area for another way out. High up on the wall was a window and a door labeled "Equipment Storage."

"Is it possible for you to reach that window, Elena?"

Elena gave a headshake. "However, I can divert attention. Give yourself time to get away.

"How about David Park?"

Both of us gazed at David, still unconscious against the wall where Elena had flung him.

Elena's eyes widened abruptly. "David is not unconscious, Sarah. He has been hearing everything we have to say.

David Park grinned at us after opening his eyes. "Surprise."

He was holding something. A tiny gadget with a red button.

"Remote detonator," David said coolly. "I got it from Martinez. The elementary school's bombs are detonating right now with just one push.

My heart stopped beating. "Tommy."

"You're correct, Detective. 199 other children, including your nephew. All because you were unable to make a straightforward decision."

Elena got up with difficulty. "You don't get it, David. Martinez is taking advantage of you. When you are no longer useful, she will also kill you.

David chuckled. "Nice attempt, but Martinez and I have been working together for two years. I'm more than just a hired muscle.

"What do you mean?"

David's smile widened. "For Martinez, I've killed eight people in four different states. I make the targets vanish after she locates them.

My blood froze. "What targets?"

"Those who were too close to discovering the true identity of the Hunters. A reporter for a Texas newspaper who looked into cases of missing persons. A Florida FBI agent who identified trends in serial killings. A professor at an Ohio college who was studying paranormal crimes.

Elena took hold of my arm. "He's more than just a murderer, Sarah. He is part of Martinez's cleanup team.

"That's right," David declared with pride. "And my biggest cleanup job to date is you two."

The sound of footsteps was approaching from the hallway.

"This is what's going to occur," David went on. "You're going to be arrested by Martinez for interfering with a federal investigation. After that, you will have an accident while being held in custody.

"And the elementary school?"

David gave a shrug. "Martinez will accuse you of causing the explosion. Let's say you were collaborating with terrorists. She's an excellent storyteller.

Agent Martinez was speaking to someone outside the door, and I could hear it. She was directing others.

"How many agents are with her?" I spoke to Elena in a whisper.

Elena focused and closed her eyes. "Four. They're not actual FBI agents, though, Sarah. I feel it. There are more hunters.

"Can you fight them?"

"In my state? One, perhaps. Not five.

The detonator was still in David's grasp. "Detective Chen, Martinez told me about you. claimed that you constantly attempt to save everyone. said, "That's your weakness."

"What are you talking about?"

"She has spent months researching you. observing your case management style. She is aware that you will put others before yourself.

The handle of the door began to turn.

"Here's your choice," David said hastily. "Don't press this button; instead, let Martinez arrest you discreetly. I'll blow up the elementary school right now if you don't fight back."

Four men wearing FBI jackets entered with Agent Martinez. Elena was correct, though; there was a problem with them. Instead of moving like investigators, they moved like soldiers.

"Sarah," Martinez feigned a smile. "I'm very happy we located you. We must discuss your recent actions.

"You mean like stopping serial killers?"

Martinez chuckled. Do you believe that's what you've been doing? You have been interfering with a highly classified federal operation, Sarah.

"What operation?"

"Sarah, the Hunters are not criminals. They are advantages. We employ them to get rid of national security threats.

I was ill. "You're using serial killers to kill government officials?"

"We're employing specialists to tackle issues that ordinary law enforcement is unable to resolve. Elena, for example.

Anger flashed in Elena's silver eyes. "I would never be employed by you."

"You wouldn't? We know who you are, Elena. We are aware that you hunt and murder people. You select your own targets, which is the only distinction between you and the Hunters.

"I pursue killers. They prey on innocent people.

Martinez gave a headshake. "They hunt the people we instruct them to hunt. People who ask too many questions about things they shouldn't know about have been the norm lately.

Handcuffed, one of the fictitious FBI agents came forward.

"You are being arrested for interfering with federal operations and obstructing justice, Sarah Chen."

With the detonator still in my hand, I turned to face David.

I could hardly stand as I glanced at Elena.

Martinez's phony smile caught my attention.

"How about my nephew?" I inquired.

"Once you cooperate, Tommy will be alright. All of those kids will be alright.

"How can I be sure you're telling the truth?"

Martinez showed me a video on her phone. The cafeteria at the elementary school was captured on camera in real time. I could see Tommy sitting with other children, but they were surrounded by armed men.

"Those men leave after I say one word. The kids return home safely.

"And if I don't cooperate?"

David held up the detonator and Martinez nodded.

"We attribute the explosion to a terrorist attack after David presses that button. You turn into a wanted man, and your nephew turns into a tragedy."

The handcuffs were brought closer by the fictitious FBI agent.

"Don't trust her, Sarah," Elena muttered. She seems to be lying about something, and I can tell."

"What do you mean?"

Elena's horrified eyes widened. "The elementary school, Sarah. It's not where she claims it is.

"What?"

"The video that she played for you. It's not operational. It's on tape. It's not from today, either."

Martinez's phony smile vanished. "You were always too intelligent for your own good, Elena."

"Your nephew isn't attending any elementary school," Elena said urgently, "Sarah." He is present. within this structure."

My heart stopped beating. "What?"

"Now that I'm focused, I can feel his heartbeat. He's in this college somewhere. He was brought here by Martinez.

Martinez chuckled. "Excellent, Elena. Tommy is here, indeed. He has been here the entire time.

"Where?"

"In a very special space. Using a unique bomb. One that activates in the event that David's heart stops beating.

I turned to face David, who was beaming as if this were all a game.

"You see, Sarah," Martinez went on, "the bomb attached to your nephew goes off automatically if you kill David to prevent him from using that detonator."

"You're lying."

Martinez played another video on her phone for me to see. This one was undoubtedly live. In what appeared to be a basement room, Tommy was strapped to a chair. A device on the wall had wires connected to it.

Martinez clarified, "The device monitors David's vital signs." "Tommy dies if David dies. Tommy dies if David is rendered unconscious. Tommy dies if David's heartbeat becomes too rapid due to fear.

Elena took hold of my shoulder. "It's a trap inside a trap inside a trap, Sarah."

"What do you mean?"

"Consider it. For months, Martinez has been organizing this. She is aware that you will not allow David to murder your nephew. She is aware, however, that you will not allow David to live in light of his actions.

I turned to face David, who was still grinning despite his perspiration.

I glanced at the handcuffed fictitious FBI agents.

Tommy was tied up when I looked at Martinez, who had her phone out.

"There's no way out, is there?" "I said."

Martinez smiled again. "Oh, Sarah, there is a way out. All you need to do is agree to join us.

"What?"

"Sarah, join the Hunters. Help us identify those who must be removed by using your detective abilities. Tommy will live if you do that. Elen
a is alive. Everybody lives.

"And if I refuse?"

Martinez gave David another nod.

David touched the red button.

"Then everyone you love passes away, and you are solely to blame.”