C469 Complications

It took several seconds before the call was answered. Stacy had been staring at the unfamiliar number on her screen, wondering who could possibly be calling her from a number she didn't recognize. She almost ignored it. Eventually, she answered. “Hello?” Hanna's voice came through. “Stacy, it's me.” Stacy immediately froze. She recognized the voice. “Boss?” “Yes.” Stacy glanced around the room before lowering her voice. “Where are you?” Hanna smiled. “I assume the news has already spread.” Stacy swallowed. “The news about Emmanuel? Yes.” Hanna's voice remained calm. “I knew it wouldn't take long.” Stacy lowered her voice even further. “Boss, the Third Family has been looking for you everywhere.” Hanna smiled. “Already?” “Yes.” She continued. “Even your grandfather has sent his men to search for you. Everyone is trying to find out where you are.” Hanna smiled. “Let them search.” Stacy frowned. “You don't seem worried.” “They'll never find me.”

Hanna walked toward the window and looked outside. “I did what I had to do to protect my leadership.” She paused. “Now I need to disappear for a while.” Stacy remained silent. Hanna's voice became more serious. “But before I do that, I need to know something.” “What?” “Can I trust you?” Stacy didn't hesitate. “Yes, Boss. You can trust me.” Hanna smiled. “Good.” She leaned against the window. “I've already sent some men toward the eastern border by boat. I need you to help them get through without an inspection.” Stacy understood immediately. “I can do that.” “Good.” “Tell them to come to the east.” Hanna smiled. “I already did.” She paused. “I'll contact you again soon.” “Yes, Boss.” The call ended. Hanna lowered the phone. For a moment, she stood silently. She knew that everything had changed. The Third Family was searching for her. Her grandfather was searching for her. And sooner or later, someone would get close. She needed somewhere secure. Somewhere nobody would think to look.

Hanna sat down and opened her laptop. She began searching for villas near the ocean. One after another, properties appeared on the screen. She studied each one carefully. Some were too exposed. Others were too close to major towns. Some had too many neighbours. She continued searching. Time passed. Finally, she found one. A large villa situated close enough to the ocean to give them access to the coast, but far enough away from the busiest areas to remain unnoticed. Hanna studied the property. The location. The surrounding roads. Everything seemed suitable. A smile slowly appeared on her face. “This will do.” She called Charlie. “Charlie.” “Yes?” “Come here.” A few minutes later, Charlie entered the room. Hanna turned the laptop toward her. “I found our new place.” Charlie looked at the screen. “It looks expensive.” “That's not a problem.” Hanna closed the laptop. “Of all the men we have left, who do you think we can trust?” Charlie thought for a moment. “Warner.” Hanna nodded. “Call him.” Charlie picked up her phone. A few minutes later, another tall man entered the room. He stood in front of Hanna. “Boss.”

Hanna looked at him. “Warner.” “Yes, Boss?” She handed him the details of the villa and a bank card. “Go to the bank and withdraw the money.” Warner nodded. “I want you to buy this property.” He looked at the information. “Understood.” “Once everything is settled, contact us.” Warner bowed his head. “Yes, Boss.” He turned around and left. Hanna watched him disappear through the doorway. Charlie looked at her. “You're really planning to stay there?” Hanna smiled. “For now.” She looked back at the laptop. “We need somewhere the police, the Third Family, and Alicia's people won't think to look.” Charlie nodded. Alicia returned home later that day. She didn't say anything when she entered the house. She simply walked straight toward the bedroom. I was already inside. I was sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at one of Emmanuel's photographs. It was a picture of him smiling in his small bed. I had been staring at it for so long that I hadn't even heard Alicia enter the room. When she saw me holding the photograph, she stopped. Her expression immediately changed. She couldn't look at it. Without saying a word, she turned around and rushed into the bathroom. The door closed.

I remained sitting on the bed. I wanted to follow her. I wanted to tell her that everything would be okay. But I knew it wouldn't. There was no sentence I could say that would make our son come back. I wiped my eyes. I had to be strong for her. She needed me. But the truth was that I had no strength left. Everything inside me had suddenly shattered. I sat there in silence. Minutes passed. The bathroom door finally opened. Alicia stepped out. Her hair was damp, and her face looked exhausted. She walked toward the bed without looking at me. I watched her carefully. “Wife.” She stopped. “What do we do?” She didn't answer. I continued. “Must I try to locate Hanna?” Alicia picked up a towel and began drying her hair. “Husband, I don't want to talk about that.” I lowered my eyes. “I need to rest.” She walked toward the bed. A few moments later, she lay down. Within minutes, she closed her eyes. I remained standing there. I wanted to ask her what she was thinking. But I knew she needed the rest. So I left her alone. I watched her for a few more seconds before quietly leaving the bedroom. I went to the study.

If I couldn't talk to Alicia about Hanna, I could at least try to find her myself. I switched on the computer and began searching. I tried every database available to me. Nothing. I couldn't find her. I tried tracing the people connected to her. Still nothing. I remembered something Hammer had once told me. Everyone in the Gupta family had undergone extensive training. Because of that training, their identities and movements were extremely difficult to trace. But I refused to give up. For hours, I continued searching. Every failed search only made me more frustrated. Eventually, I leaned back in my chair. There was nothing. Hanna had disappeared. But I knew one thing. She was still out there. Meanwhile, Mark arrived at the Mayor's office. The Mayor immediately stood up when he saw him. “Mr. Mooney.” He walked toward him. “I am very sorry for what happened to your grandson.” Mark nodded. “My condolences to you and your family.” “Thank you.” Mark sat down. The Mayor returned to his seat. “I assume you came here because of the investigation.”

Mark took a deep breath. "That is one of the reasons." “My daughter is deeply hurt after losing her son.” The Mayor's expression softened. “I understand.” “She asked me to inform you of two things.” The Mayor leaned forward. “What are they?” Mark began. “First, she wanted me to inform you that the task you gave the Lions has been completed.” The Mayor's expression changed. “You identified the organization?” “Yes.” Mark nodded. “The men you asked them to identify are connected to a cartel in Colombia.” The Mayor listened carefully. “The organization is led by Alvaro Gonzalez.” A smile appeared on the Mayor's face. “Very good.” He leaned back. “That is significant information.” Mark nodded. “There is something else.” The Mayor's smile faded slightly. “What is it?” Mark cleared his throat. “My daughter told me to inform you that she has quit.” The Mayor stared at him. “Quit?” “Yes.” Mark sighed. “The Lions have learned the hard way that this life comes with a price.” He looked down. “The death of my grandson left them devastated.” He paused. “They don't want to continue living this way.” The Mayor remained silent. Mark continued. “All they want now is to protect their families.”

The Mayor leaned back in his chair. “So after everything they've accomplished, they are walking away?” Mark nodded. “Yes, that is what they asked me to tell you.” The room became quiet. The Mayor looked at Mark carefully. Mark lowered his eyes. “Alicia wants to mourn her son.” He paused. “She doesn't want another mission.” The Mayor said nothing. The success of the mission seemed almost meaningless. The organization had been identified. The government had received the information it needed. But the people who had accomplished it had paid a devastating price. Mark stood up. “My daughter has lost enough.” He looked at the Mayor. “I hope you can respect her decision.” The Mayor remained seated. After a long silence, he finally spoke. “I don't understand.” "Mr Mooney I am sorry but I can not allow her to do that."