The screen was visible from across the counter.
A message from *SHOWROOM OWNER*.
*DO NOT LET THAT MAN LEAVE.*
Vanessa couldn't move.
Marcus looked at the message.
The faintest smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
He picked up the old key fob.
The red light blinked once more.
Marcus leaned slightly toward the counter.
“Still want me to leave?””
Chapter 4: The Locked Door
Vanessa did not answer.
For three seconds, the entire showroom seemed to hold its breath.
Then the glass entrance doors clicked.
Locked.
Jordan turned toward them.
“Why are the doors locked?””
Vanessa looked at the reception console.
“I didn't lock them.””
Jordan walked to the entrance and pulled the handle.
Nothing.
He tried again, harder.
“Vanessa.””
“I said I didn't lock them.””
Marcus remained beside the reception desk, the old black key fob resting in his palm.
The red light blinked.
Jordan turned around.
“Who locked the doors?””
No one answered.
A customer near the waiting area quietly stepped away from the entrance.
Another staff member picked up her phone.
“Everyone stay where you are.””
“You're giving orders now?””
Vanessa's eyes flashed.
“This is my showroom.””
Marcus glanced toward the locked doors.
“Apparently not.””
Jordan walked back toward them.
“What did the owner mean?””
“Don't ask questions.””
“That message literally told us not to let him leave.””
Jordan pointed at Marcus.
“Who is he?””
Vanessa's mouth tightened.
“I don't know.””
“You keep saying that.””
“Because it's true.””
“Then why are you scared?””
Vanessa said nothing.
Jordan looked from her to Marcus.
“You two have met before.””
Marcus shook his head.
“I never said that.””
“You don't have to.””
Vanessa's phone vibrated again.
Everyone heard it.
She stared at the pocket of her jacket.
Marcus slowly raised his eyebrows.
“Go ahead.””
Vanessa pulled out the phone.
*OWNER: KEEP HIM AT THE FRONT DESK. DO NOT APPROACH THE CAR.*
Vanessa's eyes immediately moved toward the black luxury car.
So did Jordan.
Jordan looked at the vehicle.
“What is special about that car?””
“Then why can't I approach it?””
“I didn't say you couldn't.””
“The message did.””
Vanessa's face went rigid.
“Let me see.””
“Vanessa, we're all standing here with locked doors.””
“Jordan, back away.””
He stared at her.
“You're hiding something.””
Vanessa's voice dropped.
“You have no idea what you're talking about.””
Marcus quietly placed the key fob on the marble counter.
Jordan looked at it.
“That's been blinking the entire time.””
“What does it do?””
“Ask Vanessa.””
Jordan turned toward her.
“Seriously?””
Vanessa snapped, “I don't know.””
“You know more than you think.””
Vanessa's phone vibrated a third time.
This time, her hand shook.
Her face went completely still.
Jordan saw it.
“What now?””
Marcus watched her thumb scroll.
Then her eyes widened.
“What did he send?”” Jordan asked.
Vanessa slowly lifted the phone.
There was no text.
Only a photograph.
A live image from inside the showroom.
The picture showed Vanessa, Jordan, and Marcus standing at the reception desk.
Taken from somewhere above them.
Jordan looked up.
His face drained of color.
“That's us.””
Vanessa stared at the ceiling.
Marcus didn't look up.
Instead, he looked at the key fob.
Jordan whispered, “Is the camera in here?””
Marcus finally looked at him.
Jordan took a step backward.
Marcus's eyes moved across the ceiling.
“Somewhere.””
Vanessa suddenly slammed her palm onto the counter.
“Enough!””
The sharp sound echoed through the showroom.
Everyone jumped.
Vanessa pointed at Marcus.
“You need to tell me what you want.””
Marcus studied her.
“I already told you.””
“To speak to the owner?””
“He's not coming.””
Marcus's expression didn't change.
“Then why did he lock the doors?””
Vanessa went silent.
Marcus looked toward the entrance.
Then back at her.
“Maybe he wants to make sure I stay.””
Vanessa swallowed.
“That doesn't mean anything.””
The red light blinked again.
He turned toward the luxury car.
Vanessa immediately stepped in front of him.
Jordan stared at her.
She didn't move.
Marcus looked down at her shoes, then back at her face.
Vanessa's lips parted.
Before she could answer, the showroom lights flickered.
Then the large glass doors behind them unlocked with a loud metallic click.
Everyone turned.
The doors slowly opened.
But nobody was standing outside.
Vanessa's phone vibrated.
*OWNER: HE'S NOT THERE FOR THE CAR.*
Vanessa slowly raised her eyes toward Marcus.
Marcus was already watching her.
Then his phone began to ring.
He looked at the screen.