The suite was silent, the darkness swallowing every shape and shadow. Ayo's grip tightened around his gun as his instincts screamed danger. Bimpe shifted slightly beside him, her breath steady but alert.
Ayo whispered, "Stay close."
A sudden creak came from the far end of the room. They weren't alone.
Bimpe reached for her flashlight, but Ayo stopped her with a subtle gesture. The darkness was their cover too.
Then a soft shuffle, near the window.
Ayo moved first. In a swift motion, he aimed and fired a warning shot. The muzzle flash lit up the room for a split second, revealing a figure dressed in black, slipping through the balcony doors.
Bimpe lunged, but the intruder was fast. The balcony door slammed shut just as she reached it.
"Damn it!" she hissed, yanking it open.
They stepped outside just in time to see a shadowy figure disappear down the fire escape. Ayo's eyes darted to the street below—a black sedan idled at the curb, engine humming.
Bimpe raised her gun, but Ayo grabbed her wrist. "Don't. We need him alive."
The figure jumped the last few steps and slid into the sedan. Tires screeched as the car peeled away.
Bimpe slammed a fist on the railing. "We had him."
Ayo was already pulling out his phone. "Not yet." He dialed a number. "We need eyes on a black sedan, license plate Lima-Tango-4769. Track it now."
The dispatcher confirmed, and Ayo ended the call. He turned to Bimpe. "Let's move."
They sprinted back through the suite and down the hallway. Ayo's mind raced. This wasn't just an ambush, it was a warning. The Man in the Shadows was still three steps ahead.
They reached the parking lot just as Ayo's phone vibrated. "They turned onto Broad Street, heading toward the docks."
Bimpe gunned the engine, her knuckles white on the steering wheel. "They're trying to disappear."
"Not tonight," Ayo muttered, gripping the dashboard as she sped through the streets.
The city lights blurred past them as they chased the sedan's fading taillights. Ayo's thoughts churned. If The Man in the Shadows had wanted them dead, he would've taken the shot in the suite. Instead, he was drawing them somewhere.
A trap.
"Bimpe, slow down."
She frowned. "What? We're losing them."
"That's the point. They want us to follow."
She processed that, then exhaled sharply. "You think they're setting us up?"
Ayo nodded. "We need backup."
He grabbed the radio. "All units converge on the docks. Possible ambush."
Static. Then a voice crackled through. "Copy that, en route."
Bimpe turned down a side street, taking an alternate route. "We go in quiet?"
Ayo checked his weapon. "We go in smart."
The docks were eerily quiet when they arrived. The black sedan was parked near an abandoned warehouse, it's tail lights still glowing.
Ayo scanned the area. "Something's not right."
Bimpe nodded. "Too quiet."
They stepped out cautiously, weapons drawn. The smell of salt and rust filled the air. Waves lapped against the wooden piers, masking any small sounds.
Ayo gestured toward the warehouse. "They're inside."
Bimpe smirked. "Then let's knock."
Inside, the warehouse was dimly lit by flickering overhead lamps. Wooden crates were stacked high, casting long, jagged shadows.
Ayo took the lead, his senses sharp. He could feel eyes on them.
A voice echoed through the space. "You should've turned back, Detective."
Ayo froze. The voice was familiar.
Bimpe whispered, "Who the hell"
From the shadows, a man stepped forward. Tall, composed, dressed in a tailored suit. His face was partially obscured by the dim light.
But Ayo knew that voice.
His stomach twisted. "No. It can't be."
The man smirked. "It's been a long time, Ayo."
Bimpe's gun was up instantly. "Who is this?"
Ayo's voice was tight. "Someone who was supposed to be dead."
The man chuckled. "Death is relative, don't you think?"
Ayo's grip on his gun tightened. "Why? Why the games?"
The man stepped forward, hands in his pockets. "Because you needed to see the truth for yourself."
Bimpe cut in, her tone sharp. "Enough riddles. Who the hell are you?"
The man finally stepped into full light. Bimpe's breath caught.
Ayo's expression hardened. "Jide."
Bimpe's eyes widened. "Your former partner?"
Jide smirked. "Surprise."
Ayo felt like the ground had been pulled from under him. His closest friend, his partner, the man he had buried years ago was standing right in front of him.
Bimpe whispered, "Ayo, I thought you said he died in that raid."
Ayo's voice was ice. "I did."
Jide chuckled. "I guess the reports were… exaggerated."
Ayo's jaw clenched. "You faked your death?"
Jide tilted his head. "Would you have let me go if I told you the truth?"
Ayo felt the weight of every case, every dead lead, every unanswered question pressing down on him. "You were The Man in the Shadows this whole time?"
Jide smiled. "Let's just say… I moved up in the world."
Bimpe's finger hovered over the trigger. "Why lead us here?"
Jide exhaled. "Because, old friend, you need to understand this is bigger than you. Bigger than me."
Ayo took a step forward. "Then tell me who's pulling the strings."
Jide's eyes darkened. "You're not ready for that truth."
Ayo's patience snapped. "Try me."
A slow clap echoed from the back of the warehouse.
Another figure emerged from the darkness. Taller. Broader. His face was obscured by shadows.
Jide turned slightly. "And here we are."
The second man spoke, his voice deep and controlled. "Detective Ayo. You've been quite the problem."
Ayo leveled his gun. "Who are you?"
The man chuckled. "Let's just say… I'm the man who decides who lives and who dies."
Bimpe's grip on her weapon tightened. "We're not leaving without answers."
Jide sighed. "I was hoping you'd say that."
Suddenly, a dozen red laser dots appeared on Ayo and Bimpe's chests.
Snipers.
Bimpe cursed. "Shit."
Ayo's heart pounded. He looked at Jide. "This isn't over."
Jide smiled. "It never is."
The lights in the warehouse were cut out completely.
Gunfire erupted.
And the world went black.