Handler XX: Stock Maestro

"D-T-S-3-G— The plate number of the car where the call came from is registered to a Pratt Johan," Thaddeus voice cut through again.

"Who's that?" Theo looked at Trent, confused.

"It's... I'll tell you later." Trent looked at the phone, "Where are they?"

"Madeline lane. Four kilometers east from here. It's a dark blue Humvee and it's—"

"Is it self-drive?" Marie cut in.

"What's happening?" Theo blinked,

"Head east. They're four kilometers away right now, Madeline lane."

Theo started the engine immediately.

"A–Are you sure? I just—"

"I'm very accurate, boy..." Thaddeus huffed.

"It's one of those self-drive cars."

"Lock them in and drive them to—"

"Wait," Thaddeus cut in sharply interrupting her,

"They're making a call. I'll trace the caller."

"What are they saying?"

Theo's heart raced as he drove.

"I–I'll call Tyson and—"

"Focus on driving, Theo." Trent leaned forward and placed a hand on his shoulder,

"Should I come take the wheel? You could rest and—"

"I'll drive..." Theo muttered, tightening his grip on the wheel

"They just turned left— headed downtown. And the caller. He's some Mr. Vagus. They're heading to a warehouse outside town."

"O–Oakland..." Theo stuttered,

"Yes. That's where they're headed.. it's an abandoned facility."

"They said to meet them there. What should I—"

"Cut their Internet and take control of the car." Trent said, looking at the phone

"How many traffic lights before they reach the place?" Marie asked,

"There's... two." Thaddeus answered,

"I'll cause traffic and slow them down."

"W–What about my cousin?"

"They must've told him they're taking him to meet you," Thaddeus muttered, "He's calm."

Theo glanced at them. How are they doing that?

"I have control of the vehicle and the network. I also ran a check on said Mr. Vagus," he paused,

"This is serious..."

"Who would be—"

"Joe Stanper?" Trent interrupted Marie

"Close... The Sinclairs..."

"W–Why would the Sinclairs—"

"Hold on."

Thaddeus went silent for a few seconds,

"Stanper made a call to Reagan Sinclair when you left The Cabin. They plan to use Theo as a spy."

"A hostage situation to make him work for them." Trent gritted his teeth.

How dare they?

"They don't plan to kill the nephew if it works." Thaddeus continued, "They'll hand him over when he—"

"What if I don't agree?" Theo looked back for a moment.

"They'll—"

"This Mr. Vagus," Marie cut in,

"What's there to know about him?"

"We could turn flip the script." Trent leaned his back on the chair, looking at her.

She nodded with a wicked smile,

"Can you check what he values?"

"I'm not some personal Intelligence," Thaddeus scoffed, "But anything for my sweet granddaughter."

Granddaughter? Theo's brows raised.

Did I hear that correctly?

"Mr. Nico Vagus— he has a wife and two kids. All in Icarden under the support of the Sinclair Family... and a ton of gambling debt."

"Are those not covered by the Sinclairs too?" Marie asked

"If he's a good soldier—"

"It keeps increasing beyond his limits." Thaddeus cut in,

"He owes some drug lord— Ricaedo White. Who apparently works for—"

"The Sinclairs."

"Bingo."

"Whoever you are..." Theo cut in, "Are they still there? I can't believe you all are—"

"I've slowed them down with the traffic. You're going to get to them soon."

"What's the plan?" Marie looked at Trent

"We'll meet the people and go meet Vagus."

"That's not going to be—"

"His family... I'm sure they're under surveillance. Can you fish out those guys and notify Icardenian's Police force that they're terrorists?"

"They're going to flee the country." Thaddeus replied, "I'll involve Kraven to make the issue bigger and post their pictures on major platforms."

"We can always take them down through their devices. Just do it and monitor them."

He looked at Theo as he swerved the car sharply.

"How long do we have to meet them?"

"Five minutes. I still have the red lights on."

Theo growled, tightening his grip on the wheel,

"What if they want to leave by—"

"They won't be able to. I have the car locked and their network cut off. They're stuck."

Fuck. Theo's jaw tightened.

What if they get agitated and hurt...

No. Focus, Man. They want you.

They won't dare...

He groaned as he reached the traffic with cars blocking the way.

"You'll have to go on foot from here." Thaddeus said.

"They're just up front. The Vagus dude is alone in the warehouse. He's probably counting on the Men."

"Thank you, gramps." Trent chuckled, tucking his phone away.

"I've taken care of the others— they're on the news right now. It's going to be tough to evade the authorities."

"Get them stuck and link their car or whatever camera close to them to my phone."

"Alright, boy... I'll be monitoring when you reach the kidnappers and open their door."

"Won't they jump us?" Theo turned, facing them.

"I increased the heater so they're exhausted. You'll have to take your nephew to the hospital—"

"What?!" Theo shouted, surprised.

"It's a situation that—"

"I'll make sure he gets proper treatment." Trent cut in,

"You can tell your Sister that you took him to Owena to see Mikhail and he had a routine check."

Theo grit his teeth, turned forward and turned the car off.

"You owe me for this, Trent." Thaddeus muttered

"...Alright."

_____

Theo and Trent opened the passenger's door and punched the people on the seat.

Before the driver could reach for his gun, Theo dived in and punched him too.

"All clear?" Trent asked, pulling Theo's nephew from inside.

"Yeah." Theo replied, coming out,

"They're amateur—knocked them out."

Marie looked around.

"It's a good idea we have our faces covered." She waved at a drive with his phone raised.

"This is going to make the news."

"I disabled the CCTV around the place when he swerved in this direction." Thaddeus chuckled,

"I'll turn the Internet of the whole place down."

"Thank you."

Trent passed Theo's nephew to Marie.

"Call Kimberly— She'll connect you to Mikhail. Tell him about the kid and he'll be waiting for you at the hospital."

"Shouldn't I—"

"No," Trent shook his head, walking to Theo.

"We have to take care of this. We'll head for the warehouse and meet the Vagus."

The traffic was already decreasing because the impatient and scared people began moving.

They carried the men from the front and tossed them with the other one at the back.

Theo ripped the shirt from one and tied their hands.

"How much force did you hit this one with?" He looked at Trent as he tied the man.

"Enough to kill the lights. Let's go to the warehouse location. It's good that the windows are tinted."

"I'll head for the hospital." Marie looked at them, steadying the body on her shoulder,

Trent picked the guns the kidnappers had carried and stretched one to Theo.

"She'll take care of your nephew."

_____

"You're here." Thaddeus spoke as they reached the warehouse.

"Vagus is watching the news on his phone. He's tried to contact his family but I've been bouncing the calls."

The Warehouse door lifted up as they drove closer.

"This is it." Trent corked the gun, looking at Theo.

"I'll jump out and shoot at him before he can reach for his weapon."

Vagus stared at the car as it drove closer.

"Stop!" He waved his hand.

What's wrong with these—

He gasped as Trent jumped out and fired a bullet to where he stood.

"Nico Vagus..." Trent shouted firing another warning shot.

"You'll want to listen to what I have to say before you do something you'll regret."

Vagus raised his hand, looking at the other side of the car as Theo stepped out.

"You stupid..." Theo rushed at him,

"You dare—"

"Y–You're the—"

"I'm sure it's surprising, Vagus." Trent cut in, walking towards them.

Theo held Vagus, hands hanging in the air.

"You're... Trent Ackerman..." Vagus looked at Trent.

"I'm sure you know my friend, Vagus."

Trent smiled at him as he reached where they stood.

"It must be surprising." He mused, walking towards a chair.

"Just as it is that your wife and kids are on the run with terrorists right now?"

"What do you—"

"Don't act stupid, Vagus... We know about Icarden," he dragged the chair on the floor and placed it at Vagus front.

"The gambling debts... and your employers."

Vagus gulped, looking at Theo.

"I was just following orders. I swear I didn't mean—"

"You liar..." Theo's fist landed on his face, bringing him down.

"You dared to think about my nephew." He kicked him in his stomach.

"That's enough, Theo." Trent raised his hand and sat down,

"He deserves to die, but not now."

Theo growled as he looked at Trent.

He spat on Vagus and stepped away from him.

"I'm sure you've watched the news, Vagus... You must've tried connecting with your family when you heard it."

Vagus reached for his phone and held it, whimpering as he wrapped his body on the floor

"Why don't you call them again?"

He looked at Trent

"Go on..."

He struggled to sit and dialed the number again. His eyes widened as it connected,

"Nico, we're leaving with some—"

"That's enough." Trent cut in

Vagus looked at him as the call disconnected immediately.

"Now..." Trent stood up,

"Why don't we have a little conversation?"