The Plan

Victor didn’t sit down.

He stood near the wall, arms folded tightly across his chest, eyes moving between Seraphine and Caleb like he was trying to make sense of a language he didn’t speak.

“She’s alive?” Victor said again, slower this time.

Maybe repeating the words would change the meaning.

“You’re telling me Naomi is alive.”

Seraphine nodded once.

“And you both decided,” Victor continued, his voice tightening, “to keep that from Damon.”

Caleb leaned back in his chair. “For now. Yes.”

Victor exhaled sharply and turned away, pacing a few steps before stopping himself. His hand went to his temple, pressing hard.

“You know what this will do to him if he finds out later,” Victor said. “You know how he’s been.”

“That’s exactly why we didn’t tell him,” Seraphine replied. “Jack is watching everything. Damon included.”

Caleb nodded, “I saw one of his men tailing us earlier. We lost him in the parking lot, switched cars.”

Victor let out a bitter laugh. “So the solution is lying to him?”

“The solution,” Caleb said evenly, “is making sure Jack can never threaten him again.” He scoffs, “Not that I give a damn.”

Victor turned back to face him. “Now is not the time to relive childhood trauma.”

Caleb shrugs.

Victor dragged a hand down his face. “You’re asking me to keep this a secret from Damon until you find something on Jack. ”

Seraphine nodded, “Yes. And we need your help.”

Victor shook his head, "You shouldn't have told me this. How am I supposed to pretend? In front of Damon?! You saw how he was the last time we were at his house!”

“It's just for the time being.”

The room went silent as Victor glanced ahead on hearing a familiar voice. The door opened quietly and Naomi stepped inside.

Victor froze.

It was really her. There was no mistaking a few bruises on her chin and collarbone but she looked pale.

“Victor,” Naomi said softly.

He stared at her like she might disappear if he blinked.

“You’re really here,” he said.

She nodded. “I am.”

His composure cracked then, just slightly. “Do you have any idea what he’s been like?”

Naomi swallowed and took a step closer. “I know.”

“I don't think you do.” Victor said, “I don't think you understand how devastated he is and..”

Her breath shook. “I'm doing this for us. Damon and I. Jack would have his way and it's either I die or he does.”

Victor looked away, jaw clenched.

Naomi moved closer, stopping in front of him.

“Please,” she said. “I wouldn’t ask if there was another way.”

Victor closed his eyes.

“Please.” She begged again, close to tears now.

Her emotions have been all over the place these past few days and she couldn't handle a rejection right now.

He opened his eyes, searching her face, weighing something only he could see. He exhaled, “Fine.”

“Jordan and Elara can’t know,” Seraphine said. “They’ll go straight to Damon.”

Victor nodded slowly. “Alright. What do you need?”

Relief flooded her face.

“Thank you..” Naomi hugged him. He sighed, his hand paying her back gently.

Victor's eyes went over to Seraphine and Caleb.

“What's the plan?”

—--------------------

The driver sat alone under the harsh white light.

His hands were cuffed to the table, his leg bouncing uncontrollably as he stared at the wall. Sweat covered his forehead, his shirt wrinkled and stained from the ride over.

Victor’s men stood just outside the room, armed and ready. It had been ridiculously easy to find this man and it took Naomi verifying if it was him before his men dragged his ass down to his camp.

Behind the glass, Naomi stood between Seraphine and Caleb, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. Victor stood closer to the one way mirror, watching the man.

“He’s scared,” Seraphine murmured.

“He should be,” Victor replied.

His men had given him enough reason to be terrified. He made sure of that.

The door opened.

One of Victor’s men stepped in. “Let’s start again, shall we?”

The driver scoffed weakly. “I already told you. I didn’t kill anyone.”

Caleb’s fingers moved across his tablet as he leaned closer to his mic, “Tell him to say that again.”

The man interrogating the driver nodded, listening to Caleb through his earbud “What did you say?” he said to the driver.

“I said I didn't kill her,” the driver snapped. “I don't know what you're talking about! You got the wrong guy, I promise you!”

“Denying it isn't going to get you out of here any faster. “

The driver scoffed, “I didn't do anything. And I don't understand why I am being held captive.”

“Who sent you? Jack Pearl?”

“I don't know who that is.” The driver said smoothly.

Behind the glass, Naomi pressed her palm to the surface, her reflection staring back at her.

“He won’t break,” Victor said.

“Let me in.” Naomi said.

“What?”

She turned to face Victor, "I'll talk to him. I'm sure he's the one and he's lying.”

“Naomi..” Victor started, hesitant

“Let her in.” Seraphine adds, “if he sees she's alive, that might shake the truth out of him.”

Victor exhaled and nodded. He opened the door and Naomi stepped into the questioning room.

The driver's eyes fixed on her slowly and a gasp escaped his lips before he could control himself.

She smiled, "I'm guessing you remember who I am.”

The driver clears his throat, looking away as he tries to gather himself. He turned to face her, "I'm sorry, who are you?”

Naomi chuckled.

She sat across from him. “You do know who I am.”

“I'm sorry but I don't ..."

“And I don't care.” Naomi cuts in. “As long as I have you to serve as a scapegoat to that old piece of shit, I'm good.”

He's silent.

“You think you'll get off easy? You think he'll get you out of jail?” She chuckled, “You'll be going down with more than attempted murder.”

The driver swallowed and looked away, “I don't know what you're talking about.”

Naomi nodded, “Fine.” She stands on her feet, “I'll just make sure he finds out you failed at your job.”

His eyes shit up at her. “He'll kill you.”

“And you'll go down with me for doing a terrible job.”

He scoffs, "You're bluffing.”

Naomi leans on the table, "Maybe I am. But I know damned well your ass is dropping dead before I do. Good luck with that.”

She heads towards the door without slowly down and just as she turned the knob and yanked the door open, his voice rang out.

“Wait!”

She stopped.

Naomi glanced over her shoulder, “What?”

He bit his lips, cursing his life vehemently.

“I have his number on a burner phone.” He offered. “He…he seemed kind of shady so I recorded our call. Just in case things go south.”

He met Naomi's gaze,”I needed more money and I called him. He…he threatened to get rid of me if I ever called him again so I…”

“Where is that phone?”

“I…it's in my bag.” The driver said, “One of your men took it from me.”

Naomi stepped out of the room and headed straight for Caleb, Seraphine and Victor.

Caleb was going through the driver's bag and soon found the burner phone. He scrolled for a few seconds and played a recording.

The driver’s voice filled the room.

‘I need more money.’

Naomi’s heart pounded as she listened.

Jack answered.

“What?” Jack snapped.

“Listen, the cops are still investigating and they've been to my neighbour twice, asking questions.” The driver said in a hasty voice.

There was a pause.

“I want more money,” the driver said. “This is getting dangerous.”

“I paid you enough to get out of the city and you're calling me now?!”

“I did what you asked and I …”

Jack cuts in. “And her body is yet to be found and you're making demands?”

“Five thousand. That's all I need and I'll get out of the city, away from your air. I promise.”

“Ypu have guts.”

“Look!” The driver's voice gets agitated. “If you don't pay me, I'll go to the cold and tell them everything I know! I'll tell them you asked me to kill her, everything.”

Jack’s tone dropped. “You talk, you die. Just like Naomi did.”

The driver is silent. “T..then pay me “

Jack sighed. “I'll choose a day and time. Don't ever call me again.”

The call ended.

Silence.

“He was going to kill him too, wasn't he?” Naomi gestured at the driver.

Victor nodded. “He was supposed to meet him today. Luckily, we got there in time.”

Naomi sagged against the glass, breath leaving her in a rush. Her knees trembled, but she stayed upright.

“That’s it,” Seraphine said. “This is enough.”

Caleb nodded, "I'll extract the audio and compile it with what I have on Jack as well.”

Victor nodded.

Victor’s men entered the room and pulled the driver to his feet.

“You’re going to the police,” One of them announced.

The driver’s face crumpled. "No, wait. This.. this isn't what we discussed! Wait! Wait, I need to speak to that lady again..”

Naomi exhaled. “I…I need to sit.”

Victor led her into a different room. where she laid down on the bed alone. He knew she needed to be alone and he returned to his siblings.

Caleb was still collecting data and Seraphine seemed worried.

“Is she okay?” Seraphine asked as soon as Victor returned.

“She needs time alone.”

Seraphine exhaled and nodded.

“She's decent.” Caleb said, his eyes not leaving his screen. “Naomi.”

Seraphine smiles, “She is. Made sense out of Damon somehow.”

Victor nodded, “My fear exactly.” He exhaled, “We need to return this woman back to her husband before he loses his shit.”

“I'm mailing the evidence file to Harris. Sending another to an unbiased media outlet too.” Caleb met their gaze, “That way the police would be forced to act.”

Victor nods, “You did great.”

Caleb’s face crumbled, “Ew. Don't ever say that again.”