Chapter 9 - Wrong Suspect

Dylan rushed in and saw Chelsea lying on the ground inside the cage. Two suited men squatted beside her, trying to revive her but their efforts proved to be futile.

"What's going on?" He asked as he barged into the cage.

"She still hasn't responded, Boss" one of the suited men said, looking up at him.

He stood for some seconds, staring at her body before finally speaking.

"Call the Doc" he said calmly.

"Boss?" one of the men sought confirmation.

"You heard me, Hugo" Dylan bellowed.

The man rushed out immediately.

"Out" Dylan said to the second man and the latter exited the perimeter hurriedly. As soon as he was alone, he squatted beside Chelsea and ran his fingers along her hair, parting the strands that had covered her face.

"I really wish it didn't have to be this way" he said calmly as he took in her facial features.

"Me too" he heard Chelsea mutter and the next second found a pin heading for Dylan's neck. Thanks to his quick reflexes, he caught her hand in midair and restrained it from going further.

"You bastard!" Chelsea grunted as she strained against his restricting grip.

"Do you know where you're talking to?" Dylan asked rhetorically as he slowly stood up, pulling a wriggling Chelsea who was futilely trying to release herself.

His grip, however, was like iron's. She grunted severally but he simply stared at her efforts. Fed up, he twisted her hand and the pin fell to the ground. Her body twirled from the impact, placing her back before him.

She felt his breath on her neck as he brought his lips to her ear.

"You're in my mansion, far away from anywhere you might know. Even if you manage to stab me and escape this room, you'll be a dead body before you get to the front door" he whispered in a voice that sent shivers down her spine.

Slowly, her breaths eased and her panicked heaving calmed. It was as though the realisation of his words dawned on her.

He continued. "That's right. Make this easy for the both of us and provide me with the information I need. I might spare you the horrors that accompany my enemies. My men so badly want to do things to you. Don't make me let them"

She heaved and let out a long sigh. Her expression stiffened. "I've told you all I know. To hell with you and your men" she replied.

He smirked and gave a light chuckle. Without warning, he released his grip and threw her to the ground. "We'll see about that" he smiled and stepped out of the cage. He fixed his eyes on hers as he closed the cage's door.

After confirming that it was securely locked, he walked outside and came back in a minute with two suited men. Between the suited men was a bloodied man, almost unconscious as he was dragged towards her cage. His flesh had several marks, wounds and bruises from series of torture.

Dylan gestured and they threw the man to the ground for Chelsea to observe. She looked at the man and back at Dylan who smirked.

"This is what happens when prisoners don't comply. There's only one way here. The way of the Cross" he said calmly. He gestured and the men dragged the bloody man out.

He took one last look at her and gently walked out of the room. He ran his fingers along the bars of the cage, his rings sounding a rapping rhythm as they clanged against the bars.

"Do not put your Lord to the test" his voice echoed before the door was slammed shut.

¤¤¤¤¤

Dylan extended a wad of notes to an elderly looking man who smiled in acceptance. "For your troubles, Doc" he smiled back.

"Thank you, Pope" the Doc clasped his hands together in appreciation.

"The Cross be with you" Dylan replied.

Two suited men escorted the Doc outside. After some minutes, the men returned and took their stations inside the mansion.

"How the hell did a pin get in there?" Dylan asked Hugo as they walked out of the mansion.

"She must have hidden it in her underwear, Boss" Hugo replied, his head bowed as they walked.

"And none of you noticed it?"

"You specifically instructed us not to strip her, Boss" Hugo replied.

They got to Dylan's Urus and stopped. Dylan dragged a puff and exhaled. "You can go" he nodded to Hugo and the latter bowed and walked back towards the mansion.

Dylan boarded the SUV and tapped on his seat, signalling Hill to drive. As they drove, he pulled out his phone and dialed The Vicar.

"Pope" Victor said as he picked.

"Give me something, Vic" Dylan replied.

"Just a few more hours, boss. My men are rounding up investigations. Bishop's too" Victor relayed.

Dylan exhaled. "Get your Robins to work faster. I'm running out of patience" he ordered.

"Yes, Pope. She still hasn't complied, has she?" Victor asked.

"She's proving to be a tough nut to crack. I just need pictorial evidence. With that, she'll spill like a menstruating teen" Dylan jeered.

"Don't you think you're too soft on her?" Victor opined.

"I'm not. And I decide what's soft and what's not. Hurry up on those investigations" Dylan concluded and ended the call.

"Mayor's Office" he muttered and Hill accelerated the speed of the vehicle.

They arrived at the office and Hill stepped out to open the door for Dylan. Dylan nodded to him and he stood by the car while Dylan went in.

As he walked along the hallway leading to the mayor's personal office, he nodded to the sides, beaming at his fans and admirers. A few waved, which he acknowledged with a responsive wave.

He finally got to the door and knocked lightly twice before entering without waiting for an invitation. He opened the door and saw the mayor's secretary straightening her skirt. He gave a light cough and smiled as the woman hurried out of the office.

"Mr. Cross" the mayor smiled as he rotated his chair to face Dylan.

Dylan chuckled. "You're getting too old for this" he said as he pulled a seat and sat down.

"There's no place in the constitution that says that. Come on, who doesn't knock up their secretaries and assistants in the office? That rebellious vibe that comes with office romance" the mayor chuckled.

"Doesn't she have kids?" Dylan pressed.

"What's it to them? Or her? She receives paychecks and the kids get Christmas all year. Damn, even her husband would be grateful for those gestures" the mayor smiled. "How's Selina?" he asked, leaning forward with a knowing glare.

Dylan scoffed. "I'm nothing like you, old man" he smirked.

"Alright, then. My regards to her. What's up this time? I know the philanthropist doesn't come to my office just to know if I'm doing well" the mayor straightened up.

Dylan exhaled. "One of my joints was attacked yesterday. Completely burned down. Any idea of that?" he asked.

"I heard of a certain fire in the district. But, uhm, my sources said it was gas leakage"

"That's because it's what I want them to hear, your sources. You didn't look into it?" Dylan asked.

"I didn't know it had to do with yo..."

"Millions!!!" Dylan cut him off, abruptly grabbing him by the collar. "Fucking millions worth of fentanyl all burnt down! And I'm not counting the clothes above it!"

"Calm the fuck down, Dylan" the mayor struggled with Dylan's grip on his collar.

"No. Not Dylan. Pope" Dylan corrected him. "This is not philanthropist business. What the hell do I pay you for? To cut some slack for your secretary and her kids?" Dylan sneered.

"Alright, alright. Alright, I'll look into it, Pope" the mayor wheezed, his face reddening.

Dylan released him. "You better do it. I want my millions back" he straightened the mayor's suit with a smirk.

"I can't promise the money. But I'll find the culprit" the mayor replied, gasping for breath.

"You like your city safe and peaceful right? Do what's needed for the Cross" Dylan smiled and turned away.

"We're still due for Skylands next weekend right?" the mayor called after him, heaving.

"My millions, Mr. Mayor" Dylan finalised and exited the office, slamming the door shut.

"Fucking bastard" the mayor cursed with an exhale.

¤¤¤¤¤

"Hello, Victor" Dylan spoke into his phone after answering the call. They were en route to his office.

"Boss, I'm afraid we got the wrong person" The Vicar said from his end.

"What do you mean?" Dylan asked.

"She's not with Ceaza, Pope. She hasn't even been to Florida ever"