SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD

The Shutdown

Phoebe could hear her heart beating in her chest, her hands were even sweating as they entered the building. There were security people on board, Christian had rehearsed with them all and had gone over every single detail many times, but still there was this nagging fear that never left her.

They entered the conference room where the fake business meeting was to happen. The room was neat with no signs of life, the quietness pregnant with expectations. Phoebe joined Seth and she looked around the room for any sign of Marlin or his men.

Days were long and each day seemed to be an hour longer than it was. Any sound broke the silence, any shape cast a loom on the wall. And then, just when she could bear the tension no longer, Christian spoke into the microphone.

"He’s here," he said quietly. "Get ready."

Phoebe was almost fainting with anxiety. This was it. Marlin had taken the bait. Now it was their turn to perform, to pretend ignorance of what was going to happen next. But when the door