“Are we still being watched?””
Marcus glanced at the red camera light reflected in the car's glossy hood.
Jordan's face hardened.
“Then let them watch.””
Marcus pulled the envelope from the compartment.
It was heavier than it looked.
He turned it over.
No seal.
No address.
No date.
Only his name.
He slid one finger beneath the flap.
Vanessa closed her eyes.
Marcus opened it.
Inside was a single photograph.
Jordan moved closer.
Vanessa stayed where she was.
Marcus looked at the photograph.
Barely.
But enough.
Jordan noticed.
“What is it?””
Jordan reached for the photograph.
Marcus handed it to him.
Jordan looked down.
His mouth fell open.
“What the…”
Vanessa stepped closer despite herself.
Jordan held the photograph toward her.
She saw it.
Then immediately stepped backward.
The picture showed the same showroom.
The same polished marble floor.
The same black luxury car.
The same reception desk.
But the photograph had clearly been taken years earlier.
And standing beside the car was Marcus.
Younger.
Wearing different clothes.
His hand rested on the hood.
Beside him stood another Black American man.
Jordan looked at Marcus.
Marcus stared at the photograph.
Vanessa's voice trembled.
Jordan looked again.
The man's face had been scratched out with something sharp.
Only his suit remained recognizable.
Vanessa noticed a small handwritten note at the bottom of the photograph.
She leaned closer.
“What does that say?””
Marcus turned the photograph over.
There was writing on the back.
He read it silently.
Jordan watched his face.
Marcus finally spoke.
“It says, ‘If he comes back, give him the key.’”
Jordan looked at the old black fob in Marcus's hand.
Vanessa whispered, “That's impossible.””
“You've said that twice.””
“Because it is.””
“What year was this showroom built?””
Vanessa hesitated.
“Seven years ago.””
“This picture is older than that.””
“How could that be?””
She looked toward the showroom entrance.
Then at the walls.
Vanessa whispered, “This isn't the original showroom.””
“The owner renovated this place.””
“Two years ago.””
Marcus studied the photograph.
“Then why does it look identical?””
Jordan took the photograph back.
He stared at the image.
Then his eyes moved to the black luxury car.
“The car.””
Jordan pointed.
“That car.””
Marcus slowly turned.
The vehicle in the old photograph was the same model.
Same black paint.
Same unusual chrome trim.
Same cream interior.
Jordan's voice dropped.
“That's not possible.””
“It was a special order.””
Marcus looked at the current vehicle.
Then the photograph.
Then the key fob.
Something clicked.
He turned the old fob over.
There was a tiny number etched into the plastic.
Marcus read it.
“Seven.””
Vanessa's face went pale.
“Put it down.””
“Because that number isn't a model number.””
Vanessa whispered, “It's a storage designation.””
Marcus looked toward the car.
“Storage for what?””
A loud metallic bang came from the back of the showroom.
Jordan whispered, “We're not alone.””
Another bang.
Closer.
One new message.
*OWNER: DO NOT LET MARCUS SEE THE SECOND PHOTO.*
Marcus was already looking at her.
“You're holding something.””
Marcus stepped toward her.
“What did he send?””
“I can't show you.””
“Because…”
Her voice broke.
“…the second photograph has your name on it too.””
Chapter 8: The Second Photograph
Vanessa held the phone against her chest.
Marcus stopped several feet away.
Jordan looked from one face to another.
“What second photograph?””
Marcus's voice remained quiet.
“If I show you, everything changes.””
Marcus looked toward the black car.
“Everything already changed.””
A sharp metallic sound came from the rear of the showroom.
Jordan spun around.
“Who's back there?””
Nobody answered.
He walked toward the hallway leading to the service area.
Jordan stopped.
“You think someone is hiding?””
“I think someone wants us to think they're hiding.””
“What does that mean?””
Marcus looked at the cameras mounted near the ceiling.
“It means we're being directed.””
“You figured that out?””
“Long before I walked in.””
Her expression tightened.
“Then why did you come here?””
“You knew the owner would react.””
“I expected him to.””
“You knew the car would be here.””
“I suspected.””
“And the key?””
Marcus held it up.
“I knew this would work.””
“You're not telling us anything.””
“Neither is she.””
She opened the message.
Her face changed.
Marcus saw it.
“Now what?””
Jordan moved toward her.
“Give me the phone.””
“I said no.””
Jordan reached for it.
Vanessa pulled away.
The phone slipped from her hand.
It hit the marble floor.
The screen cracked.
The message remained visible.