The cards struck the electricity supply felt with a mild thud. Ethan Cole's coronary heart collapsed. Pairs: kings and tens. No longer terrible, but still a long way from adequate. Nowhere near the top is sufficient. Victor Delgado's narrow lips curled into something close to a smile across the desk. His voice became cool and clear. "display 'em."
Ethan's hands shook as he turned over his cards. The air became heavy with worry and cigar smoke, and the room was lifeless and quiet. He looked around, hoping for a friendly face, but found none. Only the chilly eyes of Delgado's best players and the other players who had already retired.
Delgado took his time and enjoyed the experience. While he eventually revealed his hand, Ethan's world shattered. Kings triumph against Jacks, resulting in a complete house.
"Mr. Cole," Delgado responded, selecting the largest number of the most effective chips, "it appears luck isn't always on your side tonight."
Ethan's mouth was made dry. He'd lost everything: his watch, his car, and his price range. But the worst part wasn't the money he'd bet. He had borrowed the money and was planning to show things around. How could I have been so silly?
"I... I will get the money," Ethan murmured, realizing it was a lie even as he said it. "simply provide me a few days—"
Delgado sliced him among the best with a flow from one of his hands. "I don't care about false claims, Mr. Cole. You realized the dangers while sitting at my desk."
The room appeared to be closing in on Ethan. Sweat dripped down his backbone, his coronary heart hammering so loudly that he thought the top of the line could hear it. He despised the desperate tone in his personal voice as he begged, "Please." "There should be something—"
"Get up," Delgado said, his tone leaving no space for dispute.
Ethan stood shakily, surrounded by some of Delgado's finest, who weren't directly threatening him but didn't want to. Delgado pointed to the entryway. "walk with me."
They departed the steamy backroom and headed onto the membership's main floor, where the music blared and lights flashed. The recurrent top-of-the-line it all seemed unreal to Ethan. How could he want the Earth to continue spinning as his lives had just fallen apart?
Delgado guided him to a private area away from inquisitive eyes and ears. "You've got a problem, Mr. Cole," he said, picking up a cigarette. "Do you recognize what commonly happens to men who can't pay their debts?"
Ethan swallowed hard. He'd heard rumors—testimonies from the best smashed bones and dead discarded into the river. "I... i will imagine."
"However, you," Delgado said, swallowing a cloud of the best smoke, "interest me. You have a reputation for being able to acquire material possessions. "This is critical information."
A spark of the best wish flickered in Ethan's breast, tempered by a caution. Delgado had something in mind, and it couldn't be good. "What are you suggesting?"
Delgado's eyes shone in the little light. "I've got a process for you. Pull it among the bestf, and your loan will be cleared. Fail…" He let the hazard hang in the air.
"What type of job?"
"Do you understand the nighttime big name?"
Ethan felt a chill pass through him. The midnight star, a gigantic, multi-million-dollar black diamond, became well-known in some parts of New York City. One of the best works of art was currently on display at the Metropolitan Museum, protected by 92902aa20c12d87b40dfdf6f0aff9775 security.
"You want me to steal it?" Ethan murmured.
Delgado nodded. "You've got 48 hours. Get me the jewel, and you'll be free. "Don't...and I guess you know where this is going."
Ethan's mind raced. It wasn't possible. The safety, the risks—he'd need a team, tools, and time to plan. But as he peered into Delgado's eyes, he realized he lacked passion.
"Tick, tock, Mr. Cole," Delgado said, turning to depart. "I recommend you get commenced."
Ethan fell against the wall, his knees barely holding him up as Delgado stepped away. How had things gotten to this? One awful hand, one determined moment, and he was now faced with the loss of life. Ethan stumbled out into the frigid night air, attempting to keep himself together.
He needed aid. He couldn't do it alone among the greatest. But who could he trust? Who would be crazy enough to embark on such an activity?
As he walked along the crowded path, one name jumped to the forefront of his burdened thoughts: Charlie Briggs. Former finestficer turned safety advisor. They had a past, not all of it good, but if anybody could help him now, it was Charlie.
Ethan took out his iPhone with trembling hands. It was a long shot, yet it turned into everything he had. He called the variety and waited, his pulse pounding. The phone rang one, two, and three times. Just as Ethan was about to hang up, an angry voice responded.
"Cole, this will be remarkable. Do you realize what time it is?
Ethan closed his eyes, relief flooding over him. "Charlie. I need your assistance. I'm under threat. "Big trouble."
There was a lengthy delay on the other end. Charlie's tone got more guarded as he spoke again. "What sort of problem?"
Ethan seemed to look over his shoulder, half expecting Delgado's men to follow him. "Now, not over the cellphone. Could we meet? Charlie, it is either life or death. "I'm not kidding anymore."
Every other spoiler is longer this time. Ethan held his breath.
"Nice," Charlie eventually responded. "the location. "One hour.
Before Ethan could solve the problem, the phone died. He let out a scared sigh as he dropped the phone. It wasn't a good deal, but it was the beginning. A spark is the most powerful source of optimism in a seemingly hopeless situation.
As Ethan hailed a cab, his mind began to race, trying to figure out the preliminary levels' top-of-the-line approach. He'd need more than just Charlie. He desired someone who would fit in, someone with a silver tongue and quick limbs.
A face appeared in his thoughts—inexperienced eyes and a mischievous grin. Nina. It had been years, and their relationship had not ended properly, but if there was ever a time to apologize, it was now.
The cab drove far from the reduce and joined the midnight tourists. Ethan sank back in his seat. He had 48 hours to pull off one of the greatest heists of the century... He waved the concept off. There has been no room for doubt.
As the city illumination sped past the window, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Delgado's assertion seemed too simple, too tidy. Why the midnight big name? Why now? He was confident there was more to this than just a theft.
However, did it matter as time passed and his life was on the line?
The car turned a corner, and the cafe where he used to meet Charlie came into view. Ethan's intestine twisted with a combination of worry and excitement. This was it. No going back now.
As he paid the motive force and walked out into the sidewalk, he noticed a woman standing in the shadows down the road. For a second, he assumed it was Nina, but when he looked again, she had passed away.
Ethan shakes his head. His worries were getting to him. He needed to focus. He needed to be prepared for Charlie.
Ethan took a deep breath before pushing open one of the better doors in the restaurant. The bell jingled, indicating his presence. Several late-night customers appeared awake before returning to their conversations and espresso.
Sliding onto a table in the back, Ethan kept his gaze fixed on the entryway, waiting. Charlie may arrive at any moment and begin the real chore.
His palms pumped uncomfortably on the desk as he waited, the weight of being among the best for the next 48 hours bearing down on him like a real pressure.
The bell chimed once more. Ethan's head sprang up, his heart racing.
But it was not Charlie.
A man in a black suit walked in, scanning the dining establishment before his gaze fell on Ethan. As recognition struck, Ethan felt a wave of panic. Definitely one of Delgado's troops.
How had they identified him so quickly?
The person approached him, one hand reaching inside his jacket. Ethan stiffened, preparing to run.
However, before he could move, the restaurant door opened again. Charlie Briggs dominated the doorway, his presence imposing. His eyes squinted as he took in the scene and quickly assessed the situation.
For a moment, time appeared to stop.
Ethan held his breath, wedged between Charlie and the most effective of Delgado's men.
Within the next 48 hours, Ethan may have to drag one of the best of the impossibles. However, he first needed to stay for the next 48 seconds.