When As heard the impatient tone on the other side of the line, he smiled calmly and said, "That''s not a problem. Give me a number, and I''ll send it over for you." The kidnapper abruptly hung up.
The IT specialist mmed his fist on the table in frustration, saying, "I was so close!"
As, with aposed expression, said, "Don''t worry! We still have a chance. Be prepared."
As expected, the phone he held tightly rang again. It was a video call, and he quickly answered. The camera showed only a white ceiling and a hangingmp.
I nced at the screen, and it was clear that the camera was pointing at the ceiling.
"Let me see that notebook." The disguised voice from the other end seemed impatient. "I said, the hostage is in my hands. How I deal with him depends on how you cooperate." As said calmly, "Hold on. I''ll show it to you."
"Hurry up! Don''t y any tricks!" It seemed the kidnapper was a cunning one.
As leisurely took out his phone and found a photo in the gallery. It was one of the images Arnold had sent. He aimed the camera at the notebook cover, saying, "Can you see it?"
A roar came from the other side. "I want the real thing! Are you trying to deceive me?"
"Are you kidding? Since you want it so much, I have to be cautious. Do you want to check the contents inside to verify it?" As replied, not yielding an inch with a hint of mockery in his tone. Then, he nced at the IT specialist, who was entirely focused on rapidly tracing the signal''s origin.
As they were about to track it down, the video suddenly cut off.
We were disappointed again.
"It seems like he''s an old hand, very skilled at anti-surveince," The IT specialist remarked, "But judging from the signal strength, he must still be in the city."
At that moment, my phone yed a video showing my dad bound and leaning sideways as if asleep.
Five minutester, the phone rang again, and the ominous voice said, "Hand over the item, and I''ll release him! Otherwise, you''ll know the consequences, As Pierce." He articted each syble of As''s name, indicating that he knew who As was.
Furious, I shouted into the phone, "Why is my dad asleep? What have you done to him? I warn you, if you want to get what you''re after, you need to make sure my dad is safe. He needs toe back without a scratch, or you won''t get a thing!"
"Don''t get so riled up, Ms. Chloe." The voice sounded threatening. "We were just catching up. He hasn''t slept all night. You should let him rest."
Then, insidiousughter echoed through the phone.
Catching up?
I nced at As uneasily.
That meant my dad probably knew the kidnapper.
The voice continued, "Don''t try to pull any tricks. It would be best for you to cooperate and bring me the item. Otherwise, I''ll take him with me. He''ll never return to Foswood again.
"I warned you. Bring the item to the riverside near Thenou Temple. Put it on the fourth chair."
After saying that, he hung up again. The IT specialist eximed, "Okay! In Wickers Mart-"
But before he could finish his excited words, his enthusiasm suddenly waned, and he struggled to continue.
Apparently, the address was incorrect.
Wickers Mart was bustling with people. How could they hide a hostage there?
"The possible hiding spots may be within a five-minute radius of the pinned location," As said decisively.
"A five-minute journey?" The ITProperty ? of N?velDrama.Org.
specialist questioned, thought for a moment, then his eyes lit up. He quickly turned to As and asked, "Are you saying that it may be five minutes away from Wickers
"Yes!" As replied with certainty.
The IT specialist, who seemed very clever, swiftly opened the satellite map of the small city. He rapidly found the location of Wickers Mart
and marked the surrounding area we could get to in five-minutes.
Everyone gathered to look. As I observed the map, something suddenly clicked in my mind.
I quickly opened the short video recording of my dad, yed it again, then eximed, "As, I know where they are!"