As the night deepened, the chill in the air seeped into the bones of the city. Ranger stood in his dimly lit room, his mind a battlefield of doubt and temptation. The ranger had always lived modestly on his limited earnings but secretly yearned for a more lavish lifestyle. He had a weakness for luxury and was willing to bend his morals to achieve it. Recognizing an opportunity in the chaos surrounding Lucas, Lea, and Mike, the ranger decided to manipulate the situation to his advantage. He trusted Lucas’s explanations just enough to shift the blame onto Lea and Mike, seeing them as key figures in the case. The ranger believed that by aligning himself with Lucas, he could earn a substantial payoff, making his actions less about justice and more about personal gain.

  The ticking clock echoed like a relentless reminder of his dilemma: Should he trust Lucas or abandon the plan altogether? What if Lucas had set a trap? What if this was all a ploy to betray him?

  Despite his skepticism, Ranger's thoughts circled back to one undeniable fact—he held the power to expose Lucas. The knowledge he possessed could dismantle Lucas's schemes and bring him down. Why would Lucas risk crossing him? Then, there was the promise of money, an alluring figure that overshadowed every logical doubt. Greed won the battle, as it often did, and with a determined nod, Ranger decided to go. Still, his resolve was tempered with caution; he couldn't afford to be reckless.

  Meanwhile, in his own isolated world, Lucas wrestled with his own unease. He replayed every detail of his conversation with Ranger, scrutinizing every word and every glance. Would Ranger follow through? Could he be trusted to play his role without jeopardizing the entire plan? The stakes were impossibly high, but Lucas had no choice—this was his gambit to reclaim control and deliver retribution to those who had wronged him.

  Outside, the cold wind whispered through the empty streets, carrying with it the tension of the night. Ranger layered himself with warm clothes, pulled on a jacket, and set his hat firmly in place. He glanced at the address scrawled on a crumpled piece of paper, his heart thudding louder with each passing moment. He decided to walk to the hotel; the crisp air might calm his nerves, and walking felt safer than drawing attention with a vehicle.

  The journey was uneventful, yet every shadow and every faint sound seemed to conspire against Ranger's resolve. By the time he reached the hotel, his fingers were trembling—not from the cold, but from the weight of the decision he was about to make. He stopped across the street, staring at the glowing sign of the hotel. His feet hesitated, his mind racing with second thoughts.

  What if it all went wrong?

  But the image of money—stacked, endless, and life-changing—banished his fears. With a deep breath, Ranger squared his shoulders, crossed the street, and stepped into the lobby of the hotel.

  The hotel loomed large, its grand entrance illuminated by the soft glow of chandeliers visible through the glass doors. Ranger adjusted his jacket, his heartbeat quickening as he stepped inside. The polished floors reflected the ambient light, and the faint scent of fresh flowers lingered in the air. A young staff member greeted him warmly, her polished demeanor a stark contrast to the nervous energy bubbling within him. He managed a polite smile and walked toward the reception desk.

  Behind the counter, a receptionist in a crisp uniform returned his gaze with a professional smile. "Good evening, sir. How may I assist you?" she asked, her voice calm and pleasant.

  Ranger hesitated briefly, masking his apprehension with an easy smile. "I'm not looking for a room," he said, leaning casually on the counter. "I'm here to meet a friend—Mike and Lea. They're staying here, and I’d like you to inform them I’m here."

  The receptionist arched a brow but nodded, her fingers deftly scrolling through the guest list. She found the names and picked up the phone, dialing their room. Ranger listened intently, his palms sweating despite his composed exterior.

  Upstairs, Mike was startled by the sudden ring of the phone. He exchanged a puzzled glance with Lea before answering. "Hello?"

  "Sir, your friend is here to see you," the receptionist informed him. "He’s waiting in the lobby."

  Mike froze, his mind racing. A friend? At this hour? Who could it possibly be? "I’ll be down in a minute," he replied after a brief silence, his curiosity outweighing his suspicion. He placed the receiver back and turned to Lea.

  "Someone’s here to see us," he said, his voice tinged with confusion. "I have no idea who it could be."

  Lea's expression mirrored his concern. "We can't afford to overlook this," she said, already moving to grab her coat. Together, they descended the stairs, their minds brimming with unease.

  The receptionist greeted them with a nod and gestured toward a man seated at a table in the corner. Ranger sipped a cup of coffee, his relaxed posture hiding the storm of thoughts swirling within him.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  Lea and Mike exchanged a glance before approaching. As they neared the table, Ranger sized them up—ordinary faces, no overt signs of danger. They were strangers to him, just as he was to them.

  "Do we know you?" Mike asked cautiously, his tone polite but wary.

  Ranger smiled, leaning forward slightly. "Maybe not," he said smoothly, "but I think we’re about to get to know each other very well."

  Mike and Lea exchanged another look before reluctantly taking the seats across from him.

  "What’s this about?" Mike asked, his voice firmer now. "Why did you want to meet us?"

  Ranger took a deliberate sip of his coffee, letting the tension build. Then, with a faint smirk, he leaned closer and said, "I know the police are investigating you two."

  When Lea and Mike heard the ranger’s words, an uneasy silence fell between them. They exchanged nervous glances, their faces betraying their fear. For a moment, neither spoke, the weight of the situation pressing down on them.

  The ranger leaned back in his chair, observing them with a calculating gaze before breaking the silence. “Let me introduce myself,” he said. “I’m the ranger who oversees the forest near this town. A few days ago, the police visited my office. They were asking if I’d noticed anything unusual in the area—suspicious activities, strange visitors.”

  He paused, letting his words sink in. “I didn’t tell them anything, but I know you’re involved in something. I’ve seen the woman”—he gestured subtly toward Lea--“with another man entering a house near the forest’s edge. That was no innocent visit.”

  Lea stiffened, and Mike’s hand instinctively tightened into a fist beneath the table. The ranger’s tone turned sharper. “Look, I don’t want to waste time spelling this out for you. The police are onto you. You’re hiding something, and I can see it in your faces.”

  As Lea’s breath quickened, Mike finally spoke, his voice low but steady. “What do you want from us?”

  The ranger reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. He placed it on the table and slid it toward Mike. “Call me tomorrow. My number’s on there. I’ll tell you what to do.”

  Mike stared at the paper, hesitating to pick it up. “Why all this? What do you mean? We don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, feigning ignorance.

  The ranger smirked, his lips curling into a sarcastic smile. “Come on, don’t play dumb. I wouldn’t have come all the way here if I didn’t know something. Let’s just say this—it’s up to you how you handle it. Call me, or don’t. But if you want to avoid trouble, you know what to do.”

  With that, the ranger stood up, adjusting his jacket. “Think it over,” he added, his tone carrying a hint of warning. Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away, leaving Leah and Mike sitting in stunned silence.

  As the ranger left the hotel, Lea and Mike remained frozen in place, their faces pale with shock. They exchanged worried glances, knowing they were now entangled in something far more dangerous than they had anticipated. The ranger’s words echoed in their minds: if he revealed everything to the police, their carefully laid plans would unravel, and they would undoubtedly be caught.

  Returning to their room, the tension between them was palpable. They shut the door and began an anxious discussion, voices hushed but urgent. “How did he even find us here?” Lea asked, pacing the room. “And how does he know so much about us?”

  Mike sat on the edge of the bed, his fingers pressed to his temples. “I don’t know. But he mentioned seeing you with someone at that house... it has to be Lucas’s place. That means Lucas might have something to do with this.”

  Lea paused, considering the possibility. But after a moment, she shook her head. “No, it can’t be Lucas. If he’s caught, we’re all in trouble. Why would he risk that?”

  Still, the seed of doubt was planted. Despite their mutual distrust of Lucas, they decided to set that suspicion aside for now. They needed to focus on the immediate threat. “We’ll call him in the morning, like he said,” Mike muttered. “But we have to stay calm. Panicking won’t help us.”

  The hours dragged on as the night wore on, each tick of the clock amplifying their anxiety. Neither of them could sleep, their minds racing with questions and fears.

  Meanwhile, outside the hotel, the ranger made his way to a nearby public phone booth. With deliberate precision, he dialed Lucas’s number.

  Lucas answered on the second ring, his tone sharp. “What’s the update?”

  The ranger recounted everything that had happened at the hotel, from his confrontation with Lea and Mike to their visible panic. Lucas listened carefully, his mind working through the possibilities. When the ranger finished, Lucas spoke, his voice calm but firm.

  “Good. You’ve done well. Now listen carefully: if they call you tomorrow, don’t give away too much. Just tell them to call you again in the evening. By then, I’ll have a clear plan.”

  The ranger nodded, though Lucas couldn’t see him. “Understood. I’ll wait for your instructions.”

  After the call ended, the ranger returned to his room, satisfied that he’d followed Lucas’s directions.

  Back at his house, Lucas leaned back in his chair, a faint smile playing on his lips. Everything was unfolding according to his plan. He was confident that soon, he would free himself from the web of complications surrounding him.

  Just as he prepared to settle in for the night, his phone rang. Frowning, he picked it up and saw it was Mark, the friend he had entrusted with his old car while his garage was under repair.

  “Hey, Lucas,” Mark greeted. “Is your garage ready? Should I bring your car back?”

  Lucas exhaled, relieved to hear Mark’s voice. “First, tell me—has anyone touched the car? Is it still safe?”

  Mark’s tone was reassuring. “It’s completely safe. No one’s been near it since you left it with me.”

  “Good,” Lucas replied, a hint of tension leaving his voice. “Can you keep it for a few more days? The police messed up my garage during their search, and I need time to get it repaired.”

  After Lucas explained the situation about his damaged garage floor to Mark, he hesitated when Mark asked why the police were even checking his garage in the first place. Lucas knew he couldn’t reveal the real reason, so after a brief pause, he brushed it off. “It’s a long story,” he said casually. “Just a misunderstanding. Everything’s fine now. I’ll explain it properly when we meet.”

  Mark, though curious, accepted the explanation. “Alright,” he replied. “Take your time. I’ll keep the car safe for as long as you need.”

  “Thanks, Mark. I owe you,” Lucas said, ending the call.

  With that resolved, Lucas felt a wave of satisfaction wash over him. Everything seemed to be aligning with his plan. For the first time in days, he felt a sense of control, though he remained cautious. Samuel’s persistent investigation loomed over him like a shadow, and he knew one wrong move could unravel everything.

  On the other side of town, Lea and Mike were still grappling with their unanswered question: where had the body gone? They couldn’t shake the possibility that Lucas was orchestrating something behind their backs, but for now, they had no choice but to focus on the ranger and the call they needed to make in the morning.

  For Samuel, the case was turning into a nightmare. Days of investigation had yielded nothing definitive. He couldn’t even confirm whether Marcus was dead or alive, and every lead seemed to end in frustration.

  As the night deepened, Lucas drifted into sleep, a faint smirk on his face as he mentally rehearsed the next steps of his plan. Lea and Mike, however, lay wide awake, haunted by the ranger’s threats and the growing uncertainty surrounding Lucas. And for Samuel, the night passed in restless contemplation of a case that seemed to be slipping further from his grasp.

  To be continue....