The phone screen glared back at me time and time again in the dim light of the office, mocking me with its silence. I pressed the call button again. The line rang, once, twice, thrice,till I lost count but nothing was heard.No voice. No answer. Just the crushing void of silence. My thumb hovered over redial before I hit it again, more forcefully this time, as though my desperation alone could will him to pick up.
The kidnapper's number. The one that had delivered Elena's fate into my hands through a text. And I had nothing, no new message, no sound, no clue. Just emptiness.
The door creaked open behind me. The DPO's voice sliced through the air like a reprimand.
"Mr. Shawn." His tone carried the weight of authority and exasperation. "I thought I told you not to call the kidnappers."
I didn't turn to look at him. My eyes stayed fixed on the phone as if sheer willpower might make it ring. "They're not picking up." My voice was hoarse, raw. "If I keep calling....."
