Chapter 18
Chapter 18 — The Safe House
Marcus receives a threatening text on his personal phone in the safe house at 3:17 AM and wakes Lena. They debate whether to contact Officer Park outside or Detective Morales directly. Marcus wakes Park, who calls Morales. Morales arrives, examines the phone, and reveals the message came from a spoofed number impossible to trace. She questions Marcus about what Darius said in the alley, pushing him to recall details about a 'puppet master.' Marcus remembers Darius mentioning someone above Thompson—someone who 'owns' people. Morales warns that whoever sent the message has inside knowledge of the safe house location, suggesting a leak. She relocates them to a secondary location. During the drive, Marcus's phone buzzes again with coordinates and a time. At the new location, Marcus recognizes the address—it belongs to someone connected to Coach Harris, deepening the conspiracy.
The words sat on the screen like something physical, four small wounds punched into glass.
We know where you are
Marcus backed away from the counter until his calves met the couch frame. His body wanted to sit. His mind wouldn't let it. He stood in the narrow gap between the kitchenette and the pullout, holding the phone at arm's length as if distance might change what it said.
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