Ben leaned back in his medium-sized conference room, the atmosphere thick with tension as he facilitated a fraught negotiation between two brothers at odds. On one side was the plaintiff, eager to preserve their father's legacy; on the other, was the eldest son, the defendant, who had inherited a portion of their family business but was determined to sell his share.

The situation felt like a brewing storm. The brothers had settled on a price for the shares-a price that felt fair to the plaintiff, who wanted nothing more than to keep their father's vision alive within the family. However, every time the agreed-upon payment day arrived, the eldest brother found a new reason to hike the price, each increase adding to the sense of betrayal.

With his client increasingly frustrated and the threat of court looming over them, Ben knew it was time to bring the brothers to a final negotiation. Their father's will clearly stated that if one brother wished to sell his shares, the other had the right to buy. But if they both chose to sell, they could take their business to anyone. The stakes were high, and emotions were running deeper than the family ties that they were fighting to protect. Now, Ben had to channel all his skills to navigate this delicate situation and help his client resolve it before it escalated into a courtroom battle.

Hours had slipped away, and the two brothers were still at an impasse. Frustration simmered in Ben as he realized this disagreement went far deeper than mere numbers. What was causing the elder brother to waver on the price? Did he truly intend to sell his shares, or was there something more at play?

As Ben grappled with these questions, his phone buzzed, cutting through the tension in his mind. It was Detective Bruce. He let the first call ring, but when the second call came through almost immediately after, he excused himself from the conference room, leaving the brothers, Scott, and the defence attorney to their heated discussion.

Once outside, he answered, "Hello, Detective! How are you, and how's everything on your end?"

"I'm doing well, Ben," Detective Bruce replied, his tone steady. "Everything has gone smoothly. We have the tapes, and Liberty is safe. I'm just waiting on your instructions about the next steps."

A grin spread across Ben's face, his spirits lifting with newfound hope. "I need you to check on the detective handling my case at the police department. If he's clean, make a copy of the tapes and all evidence related to Nathan's crimes. Then, send the originals to the police detective. That should lead to the arrests we've been waiting for. And keep Mr. MarQueen in the loop about every development; he'll be my representative when this goes to court."

"Absolutely, sir. I'll take care of it immediately," Detective Bruce assured him before ending the call.

With renewed vigour, Ben stepped back into the conference room, a bright smile on his face and confidence radiating from him. He was ready to tackle the negotiation between the brothers, determined to find a resolution.

Two weeks have passed since evidence was obtained about Nathan's crimes, and still, he remains elusive. As the evidence against him continues to pile up and more victims are coming forward to share their harrowing stories, the pressure on the police intensifies. Time is running out, and they know they must track him down before he slips through their fingers. His face was plastered across every newspaper and dominated the evening news. With the spotlight burning bright, Nathan's chances of disappearing are dwindling, leaving him with nowhere to hide.

***

Under the fading light of Thursday afternoon, Nathan sat in his car, tension coiling in the cramped space of the parking lot at Shelley's apartment complex. His gaze swept the entrance, searching for her. Finding Shelley was his only ticket out of this mess; with her as his leverage, Ben would have no choice but to meet his every demand. Clad in a black hoodie, he gripped a pistol tightly in his hand, the weight of it a stark reminder of what was at stake. Heart pounding, he waited for her to return home from work, each passing moment stretching the urgency of his mission.

As Nathan sat in his car, savouring the rich flavour of roasted, ripened plantain, his gaze snapped to Shelley as she elegantly descended from a nearby car, making her way toward her room. Excitement surged through him-this was his chance. He opened the car door, ready to intercept her. But just as he took a few eager steps, he spotted David striding purposefully in her direction.

A wave of frustration washed over him, and he cursed under his breath, rushing back to the safety of his vehicle. From behind the tinted windows, he seethed as he watched them both enter the house, the weight of his failed plan crashing down on him. He pounded the steering wheel in a fury, the sound echoing in the stillness. Reality set in; with David by her side, his moment had slipped away. For now, he had to retreat, regroup, and rethink his approach.

Unbeknownst to him, he was not as alone as he believed. Just as he prepared to back out of the parking lot, a swarm of cars closed in around him. Sirens wailed, and commands erupted, demanding that he raise his hands and step out. The thrill of the chase had turned into a desperate standoff, and his heart raced as the gravity of the situation sank in.

With his faith established and his current predicament alleviated, he considers his alternatives. Both surrendering and ending his own life are options he must consider. It was intolerable for a man of his stature to think about serving a lengthy prison sentence. Bracing himself, he holds the weapon to his temple; he releases the trigger. Police took shelter as gunfire echoed around the parking lot.

_

A/N: Well, this chapter is quite something. You know what they say: the evil that men do will catch up to them, so to speak.😁 I hope you enjoy this chapter. Don't forget to leave a comment or vote.