Chapter 238: It flopped

Baddie put the call on speaker as instructed. The room became deadly silent.

Thomas immediately signaled the technicians. "Trace it," he whispered.

Headphones went on. Fingers flew across keyboards.

Baddie answered with his usual playful tone. "Well... hello, sweet Zee."

A low chuckle came from the other end. "So, you really are giving out free promotions?"

"I am." Baddie leaned back casually chewing his chips. "Only for a lucky few."

"Hmm, where are you?”

“At sweet Carri’s place. Eating chips and spicy Salmon he ordered.”

Zenith sounded amused. "What's the catch?"

"No catch, I've had a good month. So I decided to spoil my favorite clients."

There was a brief silence. Then Zenith laughed. "That's unlike you."

Baddie smiled. "People change."

"So, are you interested?"

"Maybe." Zenith deliberately dragged out the word.

"What exactly are you offering?"

"The same excellent company you've always enjoyed." Baddie's tone remained flirtatious.

"Some honey licking included, only this time, it's free." He threw another chip in his mouth.

Another chuckle came from Zenith. "You sound tempting, Baddie."

"You mean I sound sweet."

Across the room, Thomas silently held up two fingers. Two minutes.

They needed him talking.

Baddie understood immediately.

"So, when would you like to come? Or want me to come?"

"I'm rather busy now." Zenith replied lazily.

“Oh, you're busy for the whole week?”

“No, I might be leaving town in two days.”

“Oh dear, is your mom sick again?”

“Oh no, something else came up.”

“Oh thank goodness, she is alright. I guess whatever it is must be important.”

“Yeah it's important”

“Alright then, but if you change your mind within the week, feel free to give me a call, okay.”

“Is today fully booked?” Zenith asked suddenly.

“Let me check night schedules. “Wow, there are three free hours from 8 to11 pm.”

“How about now?” Zenith asked.

“No, now is a bad time, I'm with Carri and his time still ran for…an hour and half.”

“I guess I will miss out on this.”

"Baddie pouted dramatically.

"Come on. You're breaking my heart, Zee."

Zenith laughed again. "You'll survive. I might call you back later this evening."

Baddie teased. “You know, I'd rather spend the night with you. My sweet Zee, you know I have a soft spot for you,and it's been a long time since we had fun."

“Baddie, you're so tempting.”

Alex clenched his fists. Every second felt like an hour.

Thomas gestured again. Keep him talking.

Baddie nodded almost imperceptibly.

“Then let me be your little devil tonight. I'm craving you right now. I think I've missed your fun, Zee.”

“Alright sweet talker, I admit. I've missed you too.”

“Oh mine, I knew it, but remember, don't fall in love with me.” He laughed dramatically. "So where should we meet?"

There was another pause.

Zenith sounded thoughtful. "I'll let you know."

"Oh? The venue is a secret? I like this. I guess you're preparing a surprise for me but Zee, I hope everything is alright. You sound a bit different.”

“Of course I'm alright, just running  some risky business and have to be careful.”

“How risky is this business?”

“I can't tell you that? We will talk later.”

“Wait Zee, if millions are involved, let me in. Is it a bank robbery?

“What?”

“Come on, I can use a gun. I've done spy for a group before.”

“Wow, really?”

“Yeah. Hey Zee, it’s my little secret even, my mama knows nothing about it.”

“Your secret is safe with me, but it's as risky as a bank robbery.”

“Alright Zee, but if I could get like five million out of it just let me in if you need a hand.”

Zenith answered calmly. “I will think about it.”

Baddie forced a laugh.

"Fair enough Zee, and be careful. If you suspect it will flop just bale to avoid prison. You know what I mean?”

“Yeah Baddie. I'll call you tomorrow if today won't work out, okay." Zenith finally said.

"We'll arrange everything then."

"Oh...missing you, but don't forget, Baddie is interested in the risk if cool cash is involved”

“Oh…I hope you have time tonight.” Baddie pretended to sound disappointed. "I thought I'd have a sexy night with you."

Zenith laughed softly. "You'll survive one more night."

"I suppose." Then Baddie casually added, "By the way...I haven't seen that cute friend of yours lately."

Silence.

Alex immediately looked toward Thomas.

Thomas's eyes widened.

Baddie continued naturally.

"The one who always blushes whenever you look at him."

Zenith's voice became noticeably colder. "What friend?"

"You know..."Baddie laughed lightly. "The handsome one.

"I think his name was…” He deliberately paused.

"...Nathan."

The room collectively held its breath. Several long seconds passed. Then Zenith spoke.

"You ask too many questions."

His playful tone had disappeared.

Baddie smiled as though he hadn't noticed. "Occupational habit, always up for new intakes."

Zenith didn't respond. Instead, he simply said, "I'll call you tomorrow."

The line went dead.

For a heartbeat...Nobody moved.

Then Thomas suddenly shot to his feet. "We've got him!"

Every head snapped toward him.

"The trace worked."

Alex rushed over. "Where?"

Thomas's fingers danced across the keyboard. "The signal stayed active long enough."

His eyes locked onto the blinking point on the digital map. A slow smile spread across his face.

"We have a location."

Alex's heart pounded. "Send everyone, cover every road leading there."

Thomas nodded sharply. "Already done."

“Dan, you can call the police now. Tell them no alarms.”

Within seconds, every phone in the room began ringing as security teams mobilized.

Alex grabbed his jacket. His eyes burned with determination.

"Hold on, Lucas..." He headed toward the door. "I'm coming for you, baby."

The old warehouse had fallen eerily quiet. Zenith had stepped outside only moments after talking to Baddie. He went to check a pick up location safety before calling Alex. He even intended to move Lucas to another location.

Inside, Lucas sat motionless in the wooden chair. His wrists were still tied, though the ropes had begun to chafe his skin.

His eyes wandered around the room. The hanging light. The rusty pipes. The old table. The red mask lying carelessly beside the pistol.

Then, he heard footsteps outside.

Zenith's voice followed.

"...I'll be there in ten minutes."

Lucas slowly closed his eyes.

The voice, that voice. The nickname.

Luc. It wasn't just the way Zenith said it. It was the rhythm, and the laugh.

The habit of pausing before teasing him.

His heartbeat quickened.

"No..."

A sharp pain exploded behind his eyes. Images flashed through his mind. Then a place that looked like a kitchen. Zenith smiling while handing him coffee.

"Morning, Luc."

Then another flash. He was in the restroom.

Zenith stared at him a little too long. Then Zenith's fingers brushed against his shoulder.

"I really like you Luc. Forget about Alex, he is not good."

The red mask. The scent on the handkerchief. The voice whispering,

"Come with me, sweetheart."

Lucas's eyes flew open. His breathing became ragged.

"No..."

More memories slammed into him.

Zenith following him. Watching him.

Smiling whenever Alex wasn't around. The pieces finally clicked together.

His heart pounded violently.

"It was you." His whisper trembled.

"Zenith is the kidnapper.” His eyes widened in fear.

He had been beside him all along.

“Damn it, Alex called him a snake. He is really a snake.”

Outside the warehouse. A convoy of black SUVs rolled silently into the deserted road.

Alex's security team and police tactical officers.

Thomas climbed out first.

He studied the abandoned building through binoculars.

"There." He pointed.