As Thomas walked away from the chaotic scene, he removed the police helmet and mask, tossing them aside, and casually discarded the shield and baton he had held. His leather-gloved hands ensured no fingerprints were left behind. Clad in the police uniform, the night winds tousled his blonde hair, and his walk carried a subtle slant, giving the impression that something was off.
The sounds of sirens gradually faded into the distance, accompanied by the constant guidance from the unseen voice in his AirPods, directing him through alleyways and streets where he had manipulated the surveillance cameras into loops. Speaking into the AirPods, he confirmed the success of the plan, "The plan worked. Viktor and Ray now think I'm dead. We begin the next phase tomorrow, after I get your people out."
Continuing his stride, Thomas reached a predetermined location. A parked car awaited him, part of the prearranged setup with the unseen voice. Finding a secluded spot near a large trash can, he extracted a bag from it. Swiftly changing into the clothing within the bag, he stowed the police uniform, neatly folded, and walked towards the waiting sedan.
With the trash bag in hand, he approached the car and, with a press of the key he had already obtained, the sedan emitted a confirming sound. Despite a noticeable alteration in his usual gait, Thomas maneuvered himself into the driver's seat. The car roared to life, blending into the night.
As the car came to life, Thomas engaged in conversation with the unseen voice. Suddenly, he felt a forceful yank from behind, anchoring him to his seat. Instinctively, he attempted to escape, only to sense the cold steel of a gun pressed against his temple. Raising both hands, he peered through the rearview mirror, trying to discern the identity of his assailant – an average figure cloaked in black and wearing a ski mask.
The hand holding him released its grip and snatched the AirPod from his ear. The command to drive followed, and Thomas complied. Sensing a shift in attention, the man lowered the gun, strategically pointing it at Thomas's lower back to avoid drawing unwanted attention while navigating the streets. Just as the assailant prepared to speak, Thomas, with a blank but serious expression, locked eyes with him and uttered, "Adrian Marlowe. What a pleasant surprise. I’m impressed."
……………………
8 HOURS EARLIER:-
AMELIA
After leaving Thomas’s suite and finding herself in the hotel's car park, Amelia sat in her luxurious SUV, her mind occupied with the recent conversation. Her expression remained blank as she stared at the book he had given her. Terrified and shocked by Thomas's revelations, she grappled with conflicting emotions. Despite knowing him as her cousin, she had underestimated the darkness within him, reflecting on their shared past and questioning how he hid this side during their childhood.
Confused and betrayed, memories of their recent fun moments clashed with the harsh reality of Thomas's intentions. She found herself unable to trust either Thomas, due to his hidden motives, or Ray, who had hurt her deeply. Thomas's revelation about Ray's true nature resonated within her, making her question the sincerity of their past.
Amelia's heart ached at the thought of Ray's potential betrayal, knowing he cared only for himself. The idea of living in a world without him pained her, yet she feared the consequences if he took over Pinnacle. As conflicting emotions overwhelmed her, she gripped the steering wheel, dropping the book and contemplating Thomas's plan to eliminate Ray.
Battling her inner turmoil, she pondered Thomas's cryptic mention of suicide, questioning how he intended to make Ray commit such an act. Fearing the Eusepios and considering the unique situation with Celeste, she contemplated her next move. Torn between saving Ray and taking over Pinnacle, she weighed the risks and consequences. Her thoughts raced until she decided to contact Ray, proposing a meeting.
Flipping through the book while waiting for Ray's reply, she considered the complexities of her situation. A text from Ray confirmed his unavailability, prompting Amelia to plan a visit to his place. Frustration and anxiety welled up within her as she prepared to face Ray, Celeste's fate hanging in the balance. With a deep sigh, she started her car, leaving the hotel behind.
……………………
THOMAS
Following Amelia's departure, Thomas deftly donned the attire from the bag she had brought. Submerged in his phone for approximately 20 minutes, he subsequently fetched an A4 paper, initiating intermittent writing while seamlessly shifting between his phone and the paper.
Fifteen minutes into this focused activity, a knock at the door disrupted his workflow.
Approaching cautiously, Thomas peered through the door's peephole before welcoming in a mysterious figure—a man in a black face mask, baseball cap, and sunglasses, he signaled him to take a seat before taking one himself. The man handed Thomas a charging pod with Airpods before carefully situating the briefcase on the table, where both men settled.
Thomas slipped in an Airpod and spoke into it, "The package just arrived. Now, onto the next phase." Briefly analyzing the briefcase and acknowledging that everything requested was inside. Thomas signaled his approval, prompting the man to present a tablet for his signature then he sent him on his way after sealing the transaction.
“Wait.” He said, halting the departing man. He instructed the man to leave his hoodie without resistance to which he obediently complied. Thomas then gestured for him to leave.
Back at the closet where he neatly hung his suit, he grabbed the Shielded Prism from its pockets and returned to the table to unveil the contents of the briefcase.
Inside, he found a bulletproof vest alongside two other bags. The first contained a cellphone with a pre-inserted sim card, and the next bag held an empty pistol with empty magazines and additional bullets. Thomas loaded the bullets into the magazines and, after finishing, loaded the gun. He put on the bulletproof vest as well.
In the briefcase, he found the final item—a combat belt. He put it on, shoved the pistol in the holster, and secured the loaded magazines into the belt, which already held combat knives. Putting his shirt back on, he closed the briefcase and went over to the desk where the A4 paper laid.
Engaging in a simulated conversation with his virtual partner, Thomas spoke into the AirPods, inquiring if the hitmen had been unmasked and if they were ready to proceed. Earlier, since Amelia's departure, he had been navigating the dark web, hiring skilled hackers, purchasing weapons, and orchestrating various tasks outlined on the A4 paper.
The voice on the other end affirmed, delving into specific details about the men. With the power of surveillance at his disposal, the hackers provided information about the hitmen's locations and numbers.
“Is it done yet?" Thomas enquired to which the voice in the pod replied, "Yes, sir. We’re ready to go on your signal."
As Thomas’s virtual assistant delved into the underworld's shadows, uncovering the identities of Viktor's hitmen, a crucial revelation surfaced—the man at the helm lacked the virtue of patience. In a race against time, an epiphany unfolded, sparking a plan hatched on the fly, a testament to Thomas’s exceptional wit.
He paused for a while without replying, contemplating a change of plans. His index finger went back and forth in the air a few times as he mumbled inaudible words to himself.
“Change of plans.” He began Instructing the voice for about seventeen minutes, he put on the dark hoodie he took from the delivery man as he went on. It was nearly impossible to discern he was wearing a bulletproof vest or carrying weapons, thanks to the hoodie and clothing Amelia had brought.
Speaking a final phrase into the AirPods, he took one last look at the A4 paper then he ignited it in the candle's flames. This marked the culmination of his preparations as he confidently left the suite, checking out of the hotel.
As he passed through the lobby, he walked past one of the three hitmen waiting for him there. Walking past him, he feigned ignorance, acting as if he didn't know his identity.
Thanks to his newfound knowledge, Thomas discerned a critical weakness—the impatience of their leader. Armed with this insight, he orchestrated a meticulously planned marathon through the city's arteries, turning each corner into a calculated step in the grand symphony of his vanishing act.
Through the pulsating heart of the city, Thomas Kruger strolled with an orchestrated weariness, every step crafted to deceive Viktor's relentless operatives trailing behind. The urban labyrinth unfolded as a performance, each interaction with the city's denizens a brushstroke in the tapestry of his mysterious vanishing act.
Walking down the streets, he knowingly passed through places with people, exploiting his knowledge of the real Thomas's routine.
Casual conversations at a bustling cafe painted an illusion of normalcy, nods and handshakes camouflaging the strategic misdirection at play. Amidst the eclectic rhythm of city life, Thomas seamlessly blended into the crowd, leaving pursuers grappling with the enigma of his disappearing act.
A gastronomic odyssey unfolded as Thomas made strategic halts at eateries, savoring diverse cuisines that tantalized the senses. Flavors mingled with the urban symphony as the pursuit transformed into a culinary adventure, the aroma of street food and exotic dishes intertwining with the mystery of his escape.
The city's library, a repository of knowledge, became a crucial stage. Surrounded by towering shelves, Thomas immersed himself in books, creating a literary pause that added depth to the unfolding drama. The hushed whispers of turning pages echoed the fusion of intellect and illusion, casting a spell on those trying to decipher his elusive path.
Stolen moments with imaginary acquaintances dotted the journey. Clever use of first names, strategically employed by hackers mining information on regulars, left pursuers stumbling, he made sure his pursuers couldn’t get a glimpse at the faces of whoever he pretended to be on a first name basis with. Faces from a fictional shared history added complexity to the narrative, shrouding the pursuit in an intricate web of deception.
The relentless march expanded to 25 kilometers, a test of endurance for both hunter and prey. Strategic stops at a local market and an art gallery infused the journey with diversity. Each pause, a chance encounter with city life, added layers to the elaborate performance.
The wearying journey served a dual purpose. Beyond the physical strain, it was a strategic gambit to exploit the leader's lack of patience. Thomas led them through a succession of bustling locales, each stop a calculated tease designed to wear thin the veneer of restraint.
A visit to an open-air concert heightened the enigma, the music blending with the cacophony of the city. Thomas, a silhouette against the vibrant backdrop, became part of a symphony that defied easy comprehension. As the pursuit meandered through cafes, markets, galleries, and concerts, the urban landscape bore witness to a disappearing act that transcended the ordinary.
After the open-air concert, Thomas strolled away from the venue, his virtual partner's voice echoing through the AirPod nestled in his ear. "We can proceed to the next phase, sir. They seem agitated enough," the voice informed Thomas. "I understand, guide me to the designated spot," He replied.
Continuing his journey, Thomas traversed the town under the guidance of his virtual companion. They weaved through planned routes, appearing inconspicuous to avoid arousing suspicions. After approximately 23 minutes, Thomas approached the tumult, distant echoes of a violent commotion piercing the air. As he drew nearer, the scene unfolded before him like a chaotic painting: a riotous frenzy engulfed the streets, billowing smoke obscuring the skyline, and the clamor of shouting voices filled the air.
Moving toward the thick of the smoke, Thomas subtly nodded to a few men donned in face masks and baseball hats. The hitmen trailed closely behind him. Swiftly, he retrieved his phone and dialed 911, urgently reporting the chaotic scene to the police. Assuming the role of a concerned citizen, he detailed the unrest, imploring immediate assistance. The men he signaled launched a staged attack on Thomas, diverting the attention of the hitmen.
Yet, this seemingly ordinary action held a strategic purpose — to intensify the deception and mislead the hitmen. To sustain the illusion, one of the men in baseball hats and face masks forcefully dragged Thomas into the thickening smoke, initiating the staged assault. Others swiftly joined in, creating a spectacle of chaos amid the apparent crisis he himself had reported. Seizing the opportunity, the hitmen engaged in the staged altercation.
As the hitmen seamlessly merged with the men in baseball hats, they joined forces in ruthlessly beating Thomas, who lay defenseless on the ground, absorbing blows from every direction. The orchestrated chaos unfolded as planned. However, amidst the frenzy, someone ‘accidentally’ bumped into one of the men in baseball hats, he turned around with a punch to the face in retaliation. His brothers in baseball hats followed him as they redirected their aggression toward the person in the tumult, unbeknownst to Thomas, he was left alone with his pursuers. The hitmen's leader, wearing a sinister smirk, produced a silenced pistol, aiming it at the defenseless Thomas. Unaware of the impending danger, Thomas lay vulnerable on the ground, recuperating from the staged assault, his hands instinctively shielding his head.
The hitmen's leader uttered coldly, "This is for all the trouble you gave us today," unleashing a hail of bullets. Thomas lay motionless after the second shot, blood splattering the ground. One of the hitmen captured the scene with a photograph before the group swiftly retreated.
Amidst the fleeing hitmen, sirens wailed, and the riot scene became encircled by the arrival of the police, clad in full anti-riot gear. The men in baseball hats and face masks, causing disturbances, drew the attention of law enforcement and were promptly apprehended. Exploiting the dissipating smoke, their allies efficiently cleared the scene, removing the lifelike mannequin representing Thomas and erasing any traces of the staged chaos.
While apprehending the rioters, Thomas discerned the challenge of navigating the tumultuous scene. Escaping unnoticed in the midst of the chaos proved to be a daunting task, as the risk of being exposed while impersonating a police officer loomed large.
So he decided to capitalize on the ongoing confusion near the outskirts.
In the heart of the riot's bedlam, Thomas strategically gravitated toward a cluster of police vehicles actively engaged in subduing rioters. With a choreographed finesse, he gauged the ebb and flow of the chaos before tactically advancing toward a squadron of officers engrossed in detaining unruly individuals. Capitalizing on the fevered pitch of the tumult, he executed a seamless maneuver, deftly aligning himself within the dynamic police formation, a shadow harmonizing with the mayhem.
To blend in further, Thomas initiated a brief, staged conversation with a fellow officer about the urgency of detaining specific individuals. This distraction allowed him to inconspicuously distance himself from the immediate scene without raising suspicion among his colleagues.
While remaining within the general vicinity of the unfolding events, Thomas skillfully navigated behind police vehicles, exploiting brief moments of decreased visibility to make his escape. Utilizing the cover provided by parked cars and obstacles, he made his way to the periphery, where the chaos was still ongoing.
Taking advantage of his familiarity with police protocols and exploiting the ongoing commotion, Thomas successfully slipped away from the scene without arousing any suspicion. His escape showcased a masterful blend of strategic preparation and adaptability, allowing him to elude capture.
