And for the first time since he entered the showroom, his expression changed.
Chapter 5: The Call
Marcus stared at the name on his phone.
He didn't answer.
The ringing continued.
Vanessa watched him.
Jordan watched Vanessa.
The showroom staff watched all three.
Finally, Jordan asked, “Who is calling?””
Marcus silenced the phone.
“Nobody you need to worry about.””
Vanessa's voice was tense.
“Answer it.””
“Because you clearly know what's happening.””
The phone rang again.
Marcus glanced down.
The same caller.
He let it ring.
Vanessa took one step forward.
“Answer.””
Marcus slipped the phone into his pocket.
Jordan stared at him.
“You're enjoying this.””
“Then why aren't you scared?””
Marcus's eyes moved toward the locked doors.
“They opened.””
Jordan followed his gaze.
The entrance was now completely open.
Outside, the bright afternoon street was visible through the glass.
No one stood there.
No security guard.
No owner.
No police.
Vanessa walked toward the entrance.
Marcus said, “Don't.””
Slowly, she turned.
Marcus pointed at the floor.
A thin black cable ran beneath the reception desk and disappeared toward the showroom's main display area.
Jordan noticed it too.
“What is that?””
Vanessa stared.
Marcus walked closer.
The cable disappeared beneath the black luxury car.
Jordan's face tightened.
“You said the car wasn't special.””
“You're lying.””
She snapped back.
“You've been lying since you walked through that door.””
“This is insane.””
He stepped toward the vehicle.
Vanessa grabbed his arm.
“Don't.””
Jordan pulled free.
“Because I said so.””
Then at Marcus.
“You're both hiding something.””
Marcus said quietly, “That's becoming obvious.””
Jordan's phone suddenly vibrated.
He pulled it out.
His expression changed.
Jordan stared at his screen.
“It's from the owner.””
Vanessa moved toward him.
“What did he say?””
“Show me.””
He turned the phone toward her.
A single sentence filled the screen.
*GET AWAY FROM THE CAR.*
Vanessa's eyes widened.
Marcus looked at the vehicle.
No answer.
He looked toward Vanessa.
“Why does he keep telling us to stay away from it?””
Vanessa's breathing became faster.
Marcus walked toward the car.
Vanessa immediately blocked him.
“You heard the message.””
“I did.””
“Then stop.””
Marcus looked past her.
The vehicle's glossy surface reflected the showroom lights.
“Move.””
“You don't understand what you're doing.””
Marcus's voice remained calm.
She couldn't.
“Vanessa, tell him.””
She shook her head.
“Not here.””
Marcus caught the words.
“Not here?””
Vanessa realized her mistake.
Marcus asked, “Where, then?””
Vanessa looked toward the glass walls.
Her eyes moved to the customers.
The employees.
The cameras.
Then back to Marcus.
“I need everyone out.””
“Everyone. Now.””
One of the employees asked, “Why?””
Vanessa raised her voice.
“Please clear the showroom.””
The customers began moving toward the exit.
Marcus didn't move.
Jordan stayed.
When the last customer stepped outside, Vanessa walked to the entrance and looked through the glass.
Then she locked the doors again.
“You just locked us in.””
Vanessa turned around.
Vanessa walked back toward the desk.
Her face had lost all color.
“Because if the owner is watching us…”
“…then he already knows we're alone.””
A sound came from the black luxury car.
Click.
The driver's door unlocked by itself.
Jordan whispered, “What the hell?””
Marcus stared at the car.
Vanessa backed away.
The interior lights came on.
And beneath the driver's seat, something began blinking red.
Marcus looked down at the old key fob in his hand.
Its light was no longer blinking.
It was solid.
Chapter 6: Under the Seat
The luxury car sat in the center of the showroom with its driver's door slightly open.
The cream leather interior glowed beneath the overhead lights.
Jordan whispered, “That wasn't open before.””
The red light remained solid.
Vanessa immediately said, “Don't.””
She looked at the open door.
Marcus glanced at her.
“You do.””
Jordan stepped closer to Vanessa.
“You told everyone to leave.””
“You locked the doors.””
“And now that thing opened by itself.””
Vanessa's breathing became shallow.
“And you're still saying you don't know what's happening?””
Jordan moved beside him.
“What are you doing?””
“Looking.””
“At what?””
“Whatever she doesn't want us to see.””
Vanessa stepped between them.
“You cannot touch that vehicle.””
“Because it's not ready.””
“For what?””
She hesitated.
Jordan caught it.
“For what, Vanessa?””
She looked away.
Marcus reached the driver's door.
He didn't touch it.
He simply looked inside.
The red light beneath the driver's seat continued glowing.
He crouched.
Vanessa's voice sharpened.
“Marcus.””
He looked up.
She froze.
“You said you didn't know him.””