Chapter 51 - Safe Haven or Trap?
Frank paces back and forth in the small, windowless room. The air is stale, the walls bare except for a single, flickering overhead light. Jack and Marcus watch him silently from across the room.
"This is your idea of a safe house?" Frank mutters, rubbing his hands together nervously. "Feels more like a prison."
"Better a prison than a coffin," Jack says, arms crossed. "You're safe here. For now."
[Mission Update: Expose Lisa's Network. Frank's Testimony Secured. Progress: 20%]
---
Outside the building, Chris sits in a black SUV, eyes scanning the security feeds on his laptop. Every entrance and exit is monitored. Derek's men are still watching from across the street, waiting for a chance to strike.
"They're getting impatient," Chris says through the earpiece. "If we don't make a move soon, they will."
"Let them wait," Jack replies. "The longer they stay out there, the more evidence we collect."
---
Meanwhile, in her penthouse office, Lisa stares out at the city skyline. Derek stands behind her, hands clenched into fists.
"Frank is hiding," Derek growls. "Jack's got him locked up somewhere."
Lisa's lips curl into a sneer. "He thinks he can outsmart me?"
"What do you want me to do?" Derek asks, eyes cold.
"Find him," Lisa says, turning around. "And when you do, make sure he never speaks again."
[Mission Update: Expose Lisa's Network. New Threat: Derek's Hunt. Progress: 40%]
---
Inside the safe house, Jack hands Frank a cup of coffee. "You ready to talk?"
Frank's hands tremble as he takes a sip. "You don't get it. Lisa has connections. Powerful connections. If she finds out I flipped –"
"She won't," Jack says, his gaze intense. "Not until it's too late."
"And what about Derek?" Frank asks, voice dropping to a whisper. "That guy's a monster."
Jack nods. "That's why you need to give us everything. Names, dates, transactions – the whole operation. We need to dismantle her network completely."
Frank closes his eyes, his jaw tightening. "Fine. But after this, you better get me out of the country."
Jack nods. "You have my word."
[Mission Update: Expose Lisa's Network. Frank's Testimony Secured. Progress: 60%]
---
Outside, Derek pulls out his phone, staring at the tracker blinking on his screen. "Got you," he mutters, a wicked grin spreading across his face.
He slides into his car and hits the gas, his eyes fixed on the blinking dot representing Frank's location. "Time to pay a little visit."
[Mission Update: Expose Lisa's Network. New Threat: Derek's Hunt. Progress: 80%]
---
Inside the safe house, Chris's voice crackles through Jack's earpiece. "We've got a problem. Derek's on the move."
Jack's eyes darken. "Heading our way?"
"Fast," Chris confirms. "You need to get Frank out of there. Now."
Jack turns to Frank. "Time to go."
"Where?" Frank asks, panic flooding his eyes.
"Somewhere even Derek won't find you," Jack says, grabbing Frank by the arm and pulling him toward the door.
The hunt is on, and the safe house is about to become a battleground.