Lea's breath hitched, but she nodded.At this point,Lea was very certain that the caller could actually see her.But she dared not look around in the car, least they suspected that she understood that she was being watched. "Okay," she managed to say ,hitting on the accelerator again.
As she drove, the voice continued with precise instructions.They even told her which lane to take. They knew which bank she was headed to. "Once you're at the bank, you will enter and ask to speak to the manager. Tell them you need to transfer a large sum into the account I provided. Do not alert anyone, act normal and calm or your son will suffer the consequences." Lea's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "I understand," she replied, fighting to keep her voice steady as she stopped a few feet away from her destination.
Upon arriving at the bank's back entrance, she parked haphazardly and dashed inside, the phone still connected, a pair of bluetooth devices pressed to her ear which she was instructed to put on. It was in the car's glove compartment.She approached the reception desk, barely able to hide her panic.
" Good morning, Miss Sully. What brings you... " The receptionist was overwhelmed to see one of their VIP customers in person.
"I need to speak with the manager. It's urgent," she said, her voice wavering.The receptionist, sensing her distress, nodded and quickly whisked her to the waiting lounge while another guy fetched the manager.
As the manager walked to where she was seated , the voice on the phone barked more instructions. "Remember, be convincing. No one must suspect anything." Lea forced a smile as the manager entered and tried putting forward a calm facade as she explained her request. "I need to transfer a substantial amount to this crypto account. Immediately."
The manager looked at her skeptically. "That's an unusual request, Ms.Sully.Are you sure..."
"Please," Lea interrupted, her desperation breaking through. "It's a matter of life and death." The manager's eyes widened, but Lea immediately jumped to damage control, " I mean, please keep this to yourself. Its not very lady like. I lost a fortune at a casino abroad and now they are pestering me for money. I owe them this. Need to get it done with. Please make this quick! "
The manager looked convinced as he nodded, beginning the process.Minutes felt like hours as Lea waited in the lounge,tapping her feet,biting her nails. But finally, the manager confirmed the transfer. "It's done," he said with a broad smile but his voice was laced with an edge of concern.
Lea nodded, tears of relief and fear brimming in her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered, clutching the phone tightly in her pocket.
As she left the bank, the voice on the line chuckled with a dark satisfaction,"Well done, Lea. Now, get back in your car. Your next instructions will follow shortly."
Lea snapped. " I just emptied my entire account at your instruction. Let me at least talk to my son properly. " Her voice was so loud, there were passersby who turned around to look at her. But she didn't care. Nothing else mattered except her son. The voice seemed intimidated a little. " Alright! Alright! I will put him on the line. But before I do, get his goddamned father to transfer all his shares to you! Do it now! And tell him not to act too smart because the cops will be hearing what you say. His phone is being tapped. Tell him to do it quickly if he wants to see his son alive. I am sure he will listen to you. I don't have much time. "
" I gave you everything I had! Why Jake? " Lea blurted. She could sense that kidnappers seemed like they were in a hurry and that they were scared. She was somewhat certain, the reason they weren't allowing her to talk to her son was because either they had already killed him, which she didn't want to think or he was seriously injured and unconscious and was unable to talk. Either scenario frightened her so much that her actual fear was starting to wean off.
" Because he is the father. He has to pay for his crimes as well. The connection of flesh and blood like they say. Isn't that supposed to transcend everything else? " The voice edged towards malice. " I won't call him until you put my son on the phone. I need to... "
" He is breathing... " All possible masks of courtesy and restraint were shattered. " I can assure you he is breathing but not in the exact state to talk. If you try to act even an inch out of line, Lea Sully, it won't take me a minute to spit his throat open. " Lea gritted through her teeth. Her rage threatened to overcome her helplessness. " Alright! Let me call him. "
" Wait! Before you do, you need to go back to the car and pledge those shares to where you will be instructed. Ask Jake to make the shares transferable." Lea heaved a sigh before she strutted towards the car without answering. This apparently blew the kidnappers off their feet. They kept barking in Lea's ear but she didn't utter a single word until she reached the car.
" Okay! Okay! I heard it. I am doing it now. Let me breathe! " Lea yelled back as she slammed the car door shut and the kidnappers immediately relaxed. " Get it done with, now! Quick! " Lea went through all the legal procedures of electronic transfer and Pledge, diligently . She looked up in the rear view mirror, looked at her disheveled face and heaved a deep sigh. " Here goes nothing! " She muttered as she dialed Jake's number. " Hello Jake! " The phone was answered at the first ring.
" Damn it! Lea! Lea where are you? Where is your phone? I have been worried sick. Lea, can you hear me? " His voice was frenzied at the other end.