Dead Presidents (An Aria Raymond Thriller Book 3) by Thomas Ransom (that summer book txt) 📕

It was a door that was barely noticeable. There was no knob or handle, just a small keyhole that was the only sign that there was a door here. “Do you think we can open it?” Sanjay hesitated. He had his knife with him and opening the door wasn’t a big concern for him. They had no idea what they would find inside. If it was only him, he would already be inside, but he didn’t want Diaz to be in danger.

“I think I should come back with Jake here, Nicole. We have no idea what is waiting inside. Knowing what has happened so far, it won’t be pretty if there are people inside.”

“We would have heard something by now! Come on! You and I both know the place is empty.”

“Stay behind me and don’t enter the building unless I tell you it is clear. Do you hear me?”

“Sure.”

“Nicole! I am not kidding. If I don’t come out or if you hear anything. Run! Get in the car and go straight to the precinct and tell Jake everything.  Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“I am serious.”

“I know Sanjay. I will do as you say.”

Sanjay used his knife and opened the lock in mere seconds. He looked back at Nicole, who nodded. Inserting the knife inside the keyhole, he tugged, and the door smoothly opened. All seemed quiet. He took out his gun and pointed it straight ahead before going inside. In five minutes, what seemed like hours to Diaz, he appeared again and waved her inside. “It is a storage house.”

Diaz walked in and gasped at the number of boxes lined and stacked throughout the building. The place was packed! “What are these?”

“No clue! The labels say different things. Here,” he pointed at a nearby box. “It says dolls.”

Diaz took Sanjay’s knife and ripped through the packing. She opened the box and checked inside. “There really are dolls inside. New boxes.” She gave Sanjay a quizzical look.

They tried out a few other boxes and found exactly what was labeled on the outside. Toys, bags, some clothing items, watches, and other things like that. “It really does seem like a storage house for some store or something,” Sanjay said out loud.

“I don’t understand.”

“You just can’t stay out of this, can you?” came a voice from behind and they both turned around abruptly, Sanjay pointing his gun at the individual.

“Relax! Put your gun down, Sanjay.” Jake walked out of the shadows.

“You told him!” Diaz glared at Sanjay.

“Wha…?” Sanjay stammered in confusion.

“He didn’t tell me anything. I knew you guys would eventually find your way here. So, I was tracking your phones.”

“What the hell!?” Diaz was furious.

Sanjay immediately pointed his gun back at Jake, “What do you mean you knew we would come here? How did you know that?” Diaz looked at Jake, her eyes widening.

“It’s not what you are thinking.”

“What the hell, Jake! Have you been in on this all along?!”

“No! It’s complicated, Sanjay. I asked you to look after her, and here you are, dragging her into an unknown building. You guys have to leave. It’s not safe.”

“There is no way I am leaving without an explanation.”

“Sanjay!” Jakes sighs. “It is too dangerous. There isn’t much time left. He knows someone has entered this building. You guys have leave.”

“He?” Diaz asked. “You know who is behind all this? Who is it??!”

“You both must leave. Hurry!” Jake insisted.

“We are not going anywhere without any answers,” Sanjay took a step forward. “You have to tell us what is happening Jake. You can’t keep us in the dark.”

“I will explain everything later. Right now, you have to move.”

“No!” said Diaz, her eyes flashing.

“You… you don’t understand…” Jake sighed, “Your life is in danger. We have to go, before he…”

“Again, with the ‘He’! Tell us who he is right now. This has been going on for far too long.” Diaz insisted. “Jake! You have to tell us. You promised you would help.”

“I am helping you both. I am trying to keep you alive. This isn’t the right time. You will get a chance but today is not it. Please listen to me,” said Jake urgently.

“No!” Sanjay shook his head, “I am done with these games. If you don’t tell me, then I am going to stay here and see the guy myself.”

“NO!” for the first time Jake looked panicked. His face turned pale. “I swear, I will tell you guys everything.”

“Now. Right now.” Sanjay insisted.

Jake took a long sigh, “Fine! But we have to be quick. Promise me you both will run out of this building and get out of here the minute I tell you to. This is serious. He is coming and I am betting he won’t be alone.”

“Okay.”

“We already know there are major players behind everything that has been happening and you were right Sanjay, all these murders are connected – Coons, Whitney Fox, and those presidents of other companies. There is way too much going on. Even I am not sure about everything. The corruption is running too deep in every sector. There are traitors in our own precinct as well.”

“Who?”

“That’s not important right now. You just have to be careful with everyone.”

“Were you lying all along?” Diaz interrupted, “About feeling guilty and helping Aria. You were already with them, weren’t you?”

Jake shook his head, “No, that is not true. I was never with them. I just got dragged into it, just like Coons. He was an innocent man being blackmailed. When these people need certain things done, they know how to turn even the good people and force them to do their bidding.”

“What do they have on you?”

“It’s… It’s not important right now. We don’t have much time.” Jake sighed and continued, “I was genuinely devastated