Daniel's steps quickened as he navigated the narrow alley, the dim light casting eerie shadows on the walls. Every fiber of his being was focused on finding Lina. He finally emerged onto a quieter street where a small, unassuming café stood. The sign above the door flickered weakly, and despite the late hour, the café was bustling with customers.
He entered, the bell above the door chiming softly. The lively chatter and clinking of cups contrasted sharply with the turmoil within him. His eyes scanned the room, searching for any sign of Lina. He moved towards the counter, where the barista was busy preparing drinks. Daniel pulled out his phone and brought up a picture of Lina, his expression stern and unyielding.
"Have you seen this lady?" he demanded, showing the picture to the barista.
The barista's eyes flickered with a brief, almost imperceptible recognition. It was a small reaction, but Daniel, ever the observant, caught it. The barista quickly masked his expression and replied, "I haven't seen her here before."
Daniel's eyes narrowed slightly, suspicion gnawing at him. He moved around the café, showing Lina's picture to other customers and workers. Each response was the same: a shake of the head, a denial. But that barista's reaction lingered in his mind. Something wasn't right.
As Daniel continued his questioning, the barista, a young man with shifty eyes, slipped away to a corner of the café. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number with trembling fingers. Glancing around to make sure he wasn't being watched, he spoke in a hushed tone. "Hey, a man just came here asking about the girl. The one you took."
The voice on the other end was muffled, but the conversation continued for a few tense minutes. The barista nodded nervously, replying in monosyllables, clearly anxious about the situation. When he ended the call, he turned, intending to slip back into the crowd unnoticed.
Instead, he found himself face to face with Daniel, whose eyes blazed with an intensity that made the barista's blood run cold. Daniel's expression was one of barely restrained fury, his presence exuding an aura of danger. It was as if he had transformed into a predatory animal, his gaze fixed on his prey.
"Who were you talking to?" Daniel's voice was low and menacing, each word dripping with threat.
The barista stammered, his bravado crumbling under Daniel's relentless stare. "I-I was just—"
"Don't lie to me," Daniel cut him off, stepping closer, his imposing figure towering over the trembling barista. "You know something. Tell me where she is."
The barista's eyes darted around the room, seeking an escape that didn't exist. "I swear, I don't know—"
Daniel's hand shot out, gripping the barista's arm with a force that made him wince. "I'm not playing games. Tell me what you know, or you'll wish you had."
The barista's resolve shattered. "Okay, okay! I saw her. She was taken by a guy, tall, wearing a dark jacket. They left through the back alley. Please, that's all I know!"
Daniel's breath came in heavy, controlled bursts as he processed the barista's revelation. Lina had been taken, and the kidnapper had driven away with her. The thought sent a wave of fury and desperation through him. He couldn't afford to waste any more time.
Re-entering the café, he made a beeline for the manager's office. The door slammed open with a force that made the manager, a stout man with a graying beard, jump in his seat. The manager's surprise quickly turned to anger as Daniel stormed in.
"I need your car keys," Daniel demanded, his voice a blend of authority and impatience.
The manager's eyes narrowed, and he sneered. "Who the hell do you think you are? Get out of my office. Someone, throw this lunatic out!"
Several café workers moved towards Daniel, but he ignored them, his focus solely on the manager. Without waiting for further argument, Daniel spotted the keys lying on the manager's desk. In a swift motion, he snatched them up.
The manager shot to his feet, his face turning an alarming shade of red. "You can't just take my car! You have no right!"
Daniel's cold gaze locked onto the manager. "I don't have time for this. If you want your car back, you can call the police after I find her."
With that, Daniel turned and strode out of the office, the manager's furious shouts echoing behind him. The café workers tried to intercept him, but he moved with the determination of a man possessed. He shouldered past them, his mind already racing ahead to what he needed to do next.
He emerged into the parking lot, scanning for the manager's car. Spotting a sleek black sedan, he pressed the unlock button on the keys, and the car beeped in response. He climbed in, the engine roaring to life as he turned the key in the ignition.
More café workers poured out into the parking lot, shouting and waving their arms, but Daniel was already in motion. He backed out of the spot with a squeal of tires, then sped out of the lot, leaving the confused and angry employees in his wake.
His mind replayed the barista's words as he navigated the streets. The kidnapper had driven away with Lina, but there was still a chance to catch up. He just needed to head in the right direction. He drove with a singular focus, weaving through traffic with an ease that belied the intensity of his emotions.
Daniel's eyes scanned every passing vehicle, every alleyway, searching for any sign of Lina. The city blurred around him, his concentration honed in on the task at hand. He knew he had to remain calm and calculated if he was going to find her. Panic wouldn't help; only action would.
As he sped through the streets, he called his assistant, relaying the new information. "I'm in pursuit. The kidnapper has a head start, but they can't be far. Mobilize everyone. I want eyes on every exit out of the city, every major road. And get me any footage from traffic cameras in the area."
Time seemed to stretch out like rubber as he drove, the urgency gnawing at his mind like a constant drumbeat. Every ticking second without finding her felt like an eternity. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was running out of time, that every moment counted. Lina's life depended on him, and he couldn't afford to waste a single second.