Chapter 60 - Chapter 60: Stage Fright

You arrive at the V-Rock Recording Studio, greeted by the sight of Kent Paul pacing nervously outside. The building is a hub of activity, with people coming and going, carrying equipment and chatting excitedly. The band's limo is parked out front, its polished exterior gleaming in the sunlight.Kent Paul spots you and rushes over. "Tommy, man, am I glad to see you.""What's going on?" you ask, sensing the tension in the air.Kent runs a hand through his hair, visibly agitated. "Bad vibes. Real heavy stuff. There's this psycho stalker, knows the band inside out. It's creeping everyone out."You follow him inside, where the members of Love Fist are gathered. The recording studio is filled with state-of-the-art equipment, gold records adorning the walls, and a palpable buzz of creativity in the air. Jezz Torrent, the lead singer, is pacing back and forth, clearly agitated."Tommy. I'm knee-deep in this joke of a situation," Jezz starts, his voice filled with frustration. "We hardly know this guy, but he knows us. Knows our best stuff, even the weirdest personal shit.""Like Willie liking his ladies' underwear or Percy's love rocket thing," Ken adds, rolling his eyes."Yeah, the love rocket thing, right," Percy, the guitarist mutters, shaking his head. "But listen, this cat... this guy wants Love Fist dead."The seriousness of the situation sinks in, and you take a moment to process. "Why would he want you dead?" you ask, trying to piece it together."He blames us for ruining his life," Kent explains. "We've got a signing tomorrow, and the boys think the stalker's gonna try some monkey business there."You take a deep breath, letting the gravity of the situation sink in. "Alright," you say slowly, formulating a plan in your mind. "We need to use the signing to our advantage. It's our best shot at drawing this psycho out."The band members look at each other, uncertainty and fear evident on their faces. "But how?" Jezz asks, his voice tinged with worry. "This guy knows everything about us."Kent nods in agreement. "Yeah, and he's been one step ahead so far. We've got to be smart about this."You glance around the room, taking in the equipment and the gold records that line the walls. The buzz of creativity and the nervous energy in the air spur you into action. "We'll make it look like business as usual," you begin. "I'll drive the limo, get you guys to the signing. We keep the schedule as planned to not arouse suspicion."Willy, leaning against the wall, raises an eyebrow. "And then what? We just hope he shows up?""No," you say firmly. "We'll set a trap. I'll have backup nearby, and we'll be ready to move in as soon as he makes his move."Jezz steps forward, his concern evident. "You sure this'll work, mate? We can't afford any more screw-ups.""We don't have many options," you reply. "This is our best chance to catch him off guard. Trust me, we'll draw him out and take care of him."Dick, the drummer, adds, "We've had enough of this psycho's games. Let's end it."The band members exchange nervous glances but nod in agreement. You spend the next few hours going over the plan, ensuring every detail is covered. As night falls, you leave the studio and head towards the signing location, your mind racing with the details of the plan you need to set in motion. The neon lights cast an otherworldly glow on the streets as you drive, the city's energy palpable even late at night. Your destination is a key point where the signing will take place, and from there, you need to figure out the best ways to corner the killer.As you approach the area, you slow down and begin to scrutinize the surroundings. The signing is set to take place in a busy part of town, which works in your favor—plenty of potential witnesses to discourage any overt violence. However, it also means the killer will have multiple escape routes, and you need to be prepared for each one.You take the first road, a narrow alley that snakes through a residential area. The buildings are close together, and the tight turns would make a high-speed chase challenging. You drive through slowly, noting every possible hiding spot and choke point. The residents are mostly inside, but a few linger on their porches, giving you curious glances.Turning onto the next road, you find yourself on a wide avenue that leads directly to the highway. It's an obvious escape route—fast and straightforward. If the killer chooses this road, you'll need a way to cut him off quickly. You drive up and down the avenue, making mental notes of the traffic patterns and intersections.The third road takes you through a semi-industrial area filled with warehouses and heavy machinery. This route is ideal for setting a trap; the narrow lanes and numerous intersections create natural choke points. As you drive through, you notice a group of truck drivers gathered near a loading dock, taking a break.You park your car and approach the truckers, sizing them up. They look like the type who might be open to a little side hustle."Evening, fellas," you say, flashing a friendly smile. "I need a favor, and there's some good money in it for you."One of the truck drivers, a burly man with a thick beard, looks up from his cigarette. "What kind of favor?"You glance around, making sure no one else is listening. "Tomorrow, there's going to be an event nearby. I need you to block a few roads for me when I give the signal. It'll help me catch someone who's been causing a lot of trouble."The trucker narrows his eyes. "And what's in it for us?"You reach into your pocket and pull out a wad of cash, peeling off a few bills. "There's more where this came from. Just be ready, and I'll make sure you're well compensated."The truckers exchange glances, then the bearded man nods. "Alright, we can do that. Where do you want us?"You outline the plan, pointing out the key intersections where you'll need them to position their trucks. "When you see me signal, you move your rigs and block the road. Don't let anyone through until I give the all-clear."One of the younger truckers, a lanky guy with a baseball cap, grins. "Sounds like fun. Count us in."You hand the cash to the bearded man. "Good. Be ready tomorrow. I'll make sure this goes smoothly."With the arrangements made, you drive through the area one more time, double-checking your escape routes and possible ambush points. The city seems calm, almost too calm, but you know that this is just the calm before the storm. Every corner, every alley, every open road is scrutinized with a critical eye, ensuring there are no unforeseen obstacles.Satisfied that everything is in place, you head back towards your mansion, feeling more confident about tomorrow's plan. The mansion looms ahead, a symbol of your power and the battles you've fought to get here. As you pull into the driveway, you park the car and head inside, your mind going through the plan one last time.The next day, the atmosphere is tense as you arrive at the V-Rock Recording Studio. The band members are already there, looking a mix of anxious and excited. You give them a reassuring nod as you approach."Everything's set," you say. "We just need to stick to the plan."Kent paces nervously, but when he sees you, he stops. "Mate, you sure this is going to work?""It'll work," you say confidently. "We just need to make sure everyone plays their part."You get behind the wheel of the limo, with the band members piling in the back. The drive to the signing location is filled with a nervous energy, everyone aware of the stakes.Jezz fidgets in his seat, unable to hide his anxiety. "This psycho better show up. I'm tired of looking over my shoulder.""We've got this," you reassure him. "Just keep your cool, and we'll handle it."Dick drums his fingers on the seat, his eyes darting around nervously. "I don't like this, man. What if something goes wrong?""We'll be fine," you say, trying to project confidence. "We've got a solid plan, and we're ready for anything."The city streets pass by, the usual hustle and bustle of the city feeling heightened by the tension in the limo. You can feel the weight of everyone's expectations on your shoulders, but you push it aside, focusing on the task at hand."Remember, stick to the plan," you remind them. "We're going to lure him out, and I'll take care of the rest."The band members exchange nervous glances but nod in agreement. The limo is filled with a heavy silence, broken only by the occasional murmur of reassurance or a nervous joke."Hey, at least we're not getting shot at yet," Jezz tries to joke, but his laughter is hollow."Let's keep it that way," you say, your grip on the wheel tightening as you approach the venue.