Chapter 9 - The Trap
Matteo refused to hide.
“If Victor wants me, I'll give him exactly what he wants.”
Sarah shook her head.
“No.”
“He'll keep coming.”
“That's why we stop running.”
They decided to use the recording as bait.
Alex would secretly leak a false message claiming Matteo had recovered the original Meridian records.
Victor would believe Matteo was carrying them.
The plan worked.
A message arrived.
A meeting location.
An abandoned theater.
Sarah studied the building.
“There will be more than Victor.”
“How many?”
“Enough.”
Alex looked at her.
“You're not going alone.”
“I know.”
The meeting began at midnight.
Matteo entered the theater carrying an empty case.
Victor appeared from the shadows.
“You look older.”
Matteo smiled.
“You look exactly as dishonest as I remember.”
Victor laughed.
“You always were difficult.”
Then lights came on.
Men surrounded Matteo.
Victor stepped forward.
“Where is the evidence?”
Matteo raised the case.
“Gone.”
Victor's smile disappeared.
“You're lying.”
“No.”
Matteo looked toward the balcony.
Sarah stood there.
Alex appeared beside her.
Victor's expression changed.
“You.”
Alex's voice was calm.
“You should have left my family alone.”
Victor reached for his weapon.
Sarah's voice cut through the theater.
“Don't.”
Everyone froze.
Then the lights went out.
A gunshot echoed.
Matteo fell.
Alex shouted his name.
Sarah ran toward him.
Blood appeared on his shirt.
But something was wrong.
There was no exit wound.
Sarah realized immediately.
It was a staged hit.
Matteo whispered:
“Now.”
May you like
The trap had begun.
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