Chapter 98 The footage
The security guard walked ahead of them, leading the way through a narrow hallway that smelled faintly of cleaning chemicals and dust. His steps were brisk, almost nervous, as though he knew the two men behind him were holding themselves together by a thin string.
Dante walked without saying a word. His jaw was tight, his hands shoved into his pockets so he wouldn’t punch a wall. His heart was beating too fast, but his face stayed cold.
Luca walked beside him, though he kept a little distance. His eyes were red, like he had been trying not to cry. He kept wiping his palms on his jeans, again and again, like he couldn’t stop shaking.
The guard finally stopped in front of a metal door with a badge scanner beside it. He scanned his card and pulled the door open.
Dante and Luca stepped in.
The moment they entered, two staff members inside the control room shot up from their chairs.
One of them, the older one with glasses, held his hands up defensively. “Sir, this is a restricted room,” he said quickly. “You can’t be in here.”
The other nodded, clearly panicking. “We could lose our jobs. Please step out.”
“They’re allowed,” the guard interrupted. “The manager approved it.”
Both staff members froze.
Then the one with glasses swallowed hard. “Oh… alright. I didn’t know.”
Dante didn’t waste any time. He stepped forward, motioning toward the screens. “Pull up the footage,” he said. “From the moment my brother parked his car. I want to see every angle and every second.”
The staff hesitated, glancing at each other.
Luca moved beside Dante, shaking his head. “No. Just check outside. We don’t need the rest.”
Dante shot him a sharp glance. “We do.”
Luca opened his mouth, then shut it again. His shoulders fell a little.
Dante turned back to the staff. “Start from the beginning.”
They obeyed.
One of the men tapped through several files, clicking through the timestamp until the screen showed the parking lot. Cars moved in and out. People walked. Carts rolled.
And then, Luca’s car pulled into view.
Dante leaned forward slightly. His eyes didn’t blink.
On the screen, Luca’s car came to a stop. A moment later, the two of them, Luca and Sienna stepped out. Sienna held her bag close to her chest, brushing some loose strands of hair behind her ear. She looked tired but quiet, like she was simply going through another day.
Luca walked beside her, trying to match her pace. He kept glancing at her every few seconds.
Dante felt his stomach twist.
Why are you looking at her like that? Why are you walking so close?
He didn’t say anything out loud.
But he felt it.His fists tightened slowly.
They reached the entrance, walked inside, and the footage switched to the interior camera.
Sienna pushed the small shopping cart forward. Luca stayed right beside her, watching her too much. When she tried to pick a box from a high shelf, she struggled a little, then suddenly Luca stepped up behind her.
He reached over her shoulder to grab it.
Dante’s jaw clenched harder.
He could almost feel heat rising to his face. His fingers curled so tight that his knuckles turned white.
Luca noticed but didn’t say anything.
He just stared at the screen, guilt already clear in his eyes.
The footage continued.
They walked down several aisles, choosing items. There was nothing suspicious inside the store. Just a normal shopping trip.
Then Luca paid and they walked out.
This part made Dante tense, and Luca could feel it.
The outside camera switched on.
There was Sienna, stepping out into the sunlight. She looked around a little, waiting for Luca to unlock the car.
They paused near the trunk.
Dante watched carefully. His breathing slowed, almost painfully.
On-screen, Luca patted his pockets.
Then he said something and ran back into the store.
“Stop,” Dante said.
The staff paused the video.
Dante stared at the screen.
Now, she’s alone.
“Continue,” he said quietly.
They pressed play.
And then the bus appeared.
It rolled into the scene like a shadow that didn’t belong there.
Dante moved closer without realizing it. His arm brushed the desk.
“Zoom in,” he said.
The staff zoomed in on the bus. The image blurred a little from being magnified. Even so, they could see enough.
Sienna looked toward the bus. She looked worried.
Her shoulders tensed. Her fingers tightened around the grocery bag. Her stance changed,small, but visible, like she wasn’t sure if she should step back or stay still.
Dante felt something sharp pinch inside his chest.
She knew. I think she suspected something. But why didn't she leave immediately?
“Play,” he said.
A man got out of the bus.
Another followed.
One walked into the supermarket, pretending to blend in. The other stood near the shopping carts, pretending to get one but never actually touching anything.
Luca swallowed hard.
“Wait,” Dante said. “Zoom that.”
There, just barely visible at the edge of the screen, someone else moved.
A third man.
This one wore a mask. A black one covering the lower half of his face. He approached Sienna slowly, like someone timing the exact second to strike.
The footage wasn’t clear, but they saw Sienna flinch.
Her hand went to her neck.
She stumbled.
The masked man grabbed her quickly, almost too quickly. The movement was swift.
The other two men came over.
Together, they lifted her.
Slowly, the shopping bag slid out from her trembling hand.
They carried her toward the bus.
Luca looked away. He covered his mouth with his hand.
Dante didn’t look away at all.
He forced himself to watch every second.
He felt sick.
“Zoom in on the bus,” Dante said, voice flat.
The staff tried.
The image got fuzzier. But the bus was still visible.
“No plate number,” muttered the staff member.
Dante’s eyes hardened. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, sir. It isn’t there. Not even a fake one.”
Luca rubbed his forehead. “How can a bus move around without plates?”
“It’s deliberate,” Dante said quietly.
The footage ended with the bus driving away.
The room fell silent.
No one spoke.
The only sound was the soft hum of the computer and the faint clicking of distant carts outside.
Finally, the staff member cleared his throat gently. “Do… Do you need anything else?”
Dante didn’t answer.
He turned around and walked out of the room.
Luca followed him silently.
Neither of them spoke as they walked through the hallway, out of the small security area, and into the main part of the supermarket again.
The automatic doors slid open, letting in a gust of cool evening air.
They walked until they reached the parking lot.
Dante stopped first.
He stared out at the rows of cars and the place where Sienna had stood.
Luca stood beside him a moment later.
The silence between them was heavy, almost suffocating.
Finally, Dante broke it.
“I’ll keep in touch.”
Luca’s head snapped toward him. “That’s it?”
“For now.”
“Where are you going?” Luca demanded.
Dante didn’t answer.
He just turned and walked toward his car.
Luca grabbed his arm. “Dante, wait.”
Dante pulled his arm free. “Don’t,” he said quietly.
Luca stared at him, panic flickering behind his eyes. “You’re going somewhere. You know something. What is it?”
Dante didn’t look at him.
Instead, he looked toward the empty road.
His thoughts were loud.”I know where I’m going. I know what I have to do. And I know I can’t trust anyone, not even you.”
He finally spoke out, “Go home, Luca. I’ll call you.”
Then he stepped away.
Luca watched him leave.
He felt helpless. Lost. His chest hurt. His eyes burned. His thoughts were a mess.
She needed me. And I failed her. I failed her again.
Dante reached his car, pulled the door open, and got in.