Chapter 1 â The Silence Breaks
The silence didnât just lingerâit pressed down on the room like a weight no one could escape.
The manâs smirk collapsed inch by inch, as if something invisible had tightened around his throat. His eyes flicked toward the officerâs wrist, then back to her face, searching for doubt. There was none.
The female officer didnât move. She didnât need to.
Behind him, the crowd shifted. Chairs creaked softly. A cough tried to break through but died halfway. What had started as quiet amusement now turned into something elseâsomething uneasy.
âWhat⊠does that even mean?â the man asked, forcing a laugh that didnât land.
The officer finally stood.
It was a slow, controlled motion. No sudden movements. No wasted energy. Just precision.
âIt means,â she said evenly, âyouâve had exactly the amount of time I allowed you.â
A door at the far end of the conference room opened.
Two plainclothes agents stepped in.
The man turned, confusion cracking through his confidence. âHeyâwhat is this? You canât justââ
âThey can,â the officer interrupted softly.
The agents approached. One of them held up a badge.
âWeâve been listening,â he said.
The manâs face drained of color.
The officer adjusted the edge of her watch againâalmost absentmindedly.
Tick.
Tick.
May you like
Tick.
Everything had already been set in motion.
