Chapter 305: More Puzzles

David’s POV

The second image loaded and everything inside me went cold.

It was Justin.

Tied to a chair in the same dim room as Holly…wrists zip-tied behind him, mouth taped shut, a nasty cut above his eye.

Why the hell is Justin tied up too? If he's tied up, then who…

“David?” Norman’s voice snapped me back. “What the hell is the problem now?”

I staggered sideways, the world tilting. Norman caught me before I hit the ground, his grip tight on my arm. “Holly… it’s Holly,” I choked out. “Someone sent me a picture of her being held hostage.”

Norman cursed under his breath, low and ugly. “Justin. Isn’t it time we make him get what he deserves? Lock him away so more people won’t get hurt.”

I shook my head hard, eyes wide, running a shaky hand through my hair. “It’s not Justin.”

Norman looked at me like I’d gone crazy. “Who else could be crazy enough to do something like that? How the hell are you so sure it's not him anyway?”

I swallowed tight, my throat burning. “Because I got a second image. It’s of Justin… Tied up too. Same place.”

Norman’s face twisted. “What if Justin arranged it as bait? What if he’s playing us?”

“Let’s go back inside,” I said fast, already turning. “We have to inform the police. We have to show them this picture and…”

My phone dinged again and we both stopped dead.

I opened it and this time, it was just text. No picture.

‘Inform the police and they both die.’

I showed Norman the text and we both cursed out loud right there in the station parking lot, voices echoing off the bricks.

“Who the hell could it be?” Norman asked, voice low and rough. “I’m having a hard time believing it’s not Justin. You know he’s capable of exactly this.”

I stood there, upset, panicking, and straight-up enraged all at once…chest tight, hands shaking, blood roaring in my ears.

“Fuck that. This is getting out of hand. What if Ava finds out that her sister is being held captive—”

The second the words left my mouth, it hit me like a slap.

Everything clicked instantly.

“Shit!” I cursed louder. “Let’s go. Now.”

Norman jogged after me toward his car. “What’s wrong? David, talk to me!”

“I know who did this.”

“Who?”

I didn’t answer. I already had my phone out, dialing the number I swore I’d never call again after last night. It rang twice.

Rachel’s voice filled the line, all sweet and cooing like we were old friends. “Well, well, well… look who finally called. Thought you didn’t have my number anymore.”

My voice came out cold and hard. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing? Why?”

She laughed softly. “We had a deal, David. You broke it first. You were supposed to seduce Holly, use her to destroy Ava Miller. But you fell in love with her instead…didn't you? Then you stopped  responding to my messages. Even after I came down to your office myself yesterday. After I told you all the things you could have, all we could achieve together. You failed me. Made me do all the dirty work myself. Now it’s time I teach you a lesson.”

I exhaled slow, trying to keep it together. “Rachel, calm down. Let’s talk. It’s not too late. Release Holly. I’ll still work for you. Just… don’t hurt her.”

She got more enraged, voice sharpening. “You still care for her? What does she even have? What do you see in her?”

“That’s not the point,” I said quickly. “I’m sorry. I’m terribly sorry. I’m the one you want. Just let her go.”

She laughed then…loud, mocking, the sound cutting right through me. “Come to 1427 Industrial Drive. Alone. By 3PM on the dot. If you are even a second late, she will start losing her body parts.”

The call ended with a click before I could say anything else.

I stood frozen on the seat, phone still pressed to my ear, heart hammering so hard it hurt. Holly tied up because of me. Because I chose her. Because I fell in love and walked away from Rachel’s crazy plan. Now she’s got my girl and my brother too. If I go in alone I might not come out. If I don’t… Holly may die. And the clock is already ticking.

Norman stared at me briefly before turning back to the road. “David… What the hell is going on?”

I don't even know anymore.

I looked down at the address on my screen, the time glaring back at me… I:35 PM.

And I had no idea what the hell I was going to do.

I stood there in the middle of the station parking lot like someone had just punched me in the gut. 1427 Industrial Drive. Before three. Or she starts cutting Holly into pieces…all because I chose her over Rachel’s twisted game.

Norman was right in my face now, eyes narrowed. “David… What the hell is going on? Fucking talk to me.”

Before I could even open my mouth, my phone lit up again.

Unknown number.

My stomach dropped straight through the concrete. Who now? Rachel calling back to laugh? My thumb hovered over the screen, shaking. I answered but didn’t say a word…just held it to my ear, every muscle locked, waiting for the next bomb.

A female voice came through, breathless and wheezing like she’d been running for miles. “Oh my God. Thank God I got through to someone.”

I finally spoke, voice low and tight. “Who is this?”

“It’s Kayla. Holly’s best friend.” She sounded like she was barely holding it together.

“I’m scared out of my damn mind. I’ve been calling Holly nonstop and she’s not picking up. I don’t know what to tell Ava anymore…she keeps calling, asking if I’ve heard from her sister. I just got home and… oh God, the house looks like someone broke in. Everything’s turned upside down. Furniture flipped, drawers dumped, glass everywhere. The front door was wide open when I pulled up. I’m thinking whoever did this must have Holly. They must have taken her from here.”

My brain short-circuited. I didn't know how to tell her that I knew who took Holly, or the fact that she's missing because of me.

She kept going, words tumbling out faster. “I got your number from the neighbor, Tyler. He said he heard a car pull up really early this morning. Thought it was Holly coming back. I’m so scared, David. What if something bad happened to her? I already called the police…they’re on their way, should be here any minute. I just… I hope she’s okay. Please tell me you know where she is.”

The phone was still glued to my ear as the world kept spinning. Does this mean that Holly made it to her place first?

From the camera footage…I saw Holly bolting from my house, flagging down that cab right outside my front yard. Headed east. Toward Kayla’s neighborhood. Maybe she got inside first. Maybe she walked through the door, started doing whatever it was that made her leave hurriedly without telling me, and that’s when they hit her…but the timing isn't accurate. Holly didn't leave my place early in the morning.

None of it lined up. Break-in at Kayla’s? Or was this another layer of Rachel's trap? My head pounded.

I pressed the phone harder to my ear as Norman drove faster. The clock on my screen glared back at me… 1:45 PM. I still have a little time before Rachel’s deadline.

But my brain wouldn’t stop spinning.

“Kayla,” I cut in, trying to keep my voice steady even though my pulse was jackhammering, “is there any CCTV outside your place? Any cameras that might’ve caught something?”

She was moving now…I could hear her footsteps crunching over broken glass, breathing fast. “No… I don’t have any installed. Wait—” A short pause, like she’d just remembered. “The neighbor, Tyler. He’s got a dashcam on his car parked right out front. It faces the entrance. It might’ve caught whatever happened.”

“Can you check it? Right now? Maybe that could tell us if she got to your place or something.”

“Yeah, I’m heading over there. Hold on—”

I listened, every second stretching like torture. More footsteps. A door opening. Then the sharp ding-dong of a doorbell echoing through the line.

Tyler’s voice came through clear and worried. “Hey, any word from Holly yet?”

There were shuffles, conversations I couldn't make out, quick movements, fabric rustling, maybe Tyler stepping inside or her grabbing his arm. My gut clenched hard with worry as I waited impatiently.

Then Kayla exhaled sharply, a small, horrified gasp.

“Oh no.”

The words hit me like ice water down my spine.

“Oh no what?” I demanded, voice cracking with raw panic. “Kayla…talk to me!”