Chapter 28: Into The Lions Den

The message to Professor Zulu was sent, and all they could do was wait. Days passed in anxious silence as Marriam, Jay, and Ellen lay low, constantly watching their backs. They moved from one rundown motel to another, never staying in one place for too long, avoiding the prying eyes of anyone who might be connected to Richard's network. The tension among them grew, but they knew there was no turning back.

Finally, after four days of waiting, their burner phone buzzed. Marriam snatched it up, her heart racing as she saw the cryptic message on the screen.

_"Tomorrow. Midnight. By the old botanical gardens. Come alone. Zulu."_

She stared at the message, her stomach twisting with a mix of fear and determination. Jay and Ellen leaned over her shoulder to read it.

"Do you think he'll show?" Jay asked quietly, his voice laced with doubt.

Marriam's gaze flicked to him. "He'll be there. But whether he's on our side or planning to set us up… that's another question."

Ellen sighed, her arms crossed. "We'll have to assume the worst. If Zulu's thinking of betraying us, we need a backup plan."

"We can't all go," Marriam said, her voice resolute. "He said 'come alone.' If he sees any of you nearby, he'll bolt—or worse, call Richard. I'll go, and you two stay close by. If anything feels off, we abort."

Jay shook his head, clearly unhappy with the idea. "It's too dangerous. We don't know what he's capable of."

"I can handle myself," Marriam said, her tone firm. "We need Zulu. If I don't show up, we lose our chance."

There was no further debate. They knew this was the only way forward, and the risks were unavoidable. Tomorrow, their lives would hang on a delicate negotiation with a man known for playing both sides of any conflict.

---

Midnight approached, and the botanical gardens lay shrouded in shadows. The air was thick with moisture, remnants of a passing rainstorm still clinging to the leaves. Marriam walked alone down the deserted path, her heart pounding in her chest. She had her phone in her pocket, linked to an earpiece so that Jay and Ellen could listen in from their hiding spot, but the feeling of vulnerability was undeniable. She was walking into the lion's den.

As she approached the meeting point—a bench near an old, overgrown fountain—her eyes darted around, scanning for any sign of Professor Zulu or any unwanted company. The night was eerily silent, save for the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze.

A figure emerged from the shadows, tall and imposing. Marriam's breath caught in her throat as she recognized Professor Zulu, his face half-hidden in the dim light. He wore a long, dark coat, and his expression was unreadable.

"Ms. Mayo," Zulu greeted her, his voice smooth but laced with danger. "I must say, I'm surprised you had the nerve to contact me."

Marriam didn't flinch, though her pulse quickened. "I figured you might be interested in what I have to offer."

Zulu raised an eyebrow, taking a slow step toward her. "You're bold. But Richard… well, he doesn't take kindly to threats."

"This isn't a threat," Marriam said calmly, standing her ground. "It's an opportunity—for both of us. We know what Richard is up to. We have proof. But we need someone with access, someone who can help us take him down."

Zulu's lips curved into a smirk. "And why would I help you? You're just a student, barely scraping by. What could you possibly offer me that Richard can't?"

Marriam held her breath for a second, then spoke carefully. "You're not loyal to Richard. You're loyal to yourself. And we both know Richard's power isn't what it seems. He's reckless. Eventually, his empire will fall—and when it does, those closest to him will go down with him."

Zulu studied her, his eyes narrowing slightly as if weighing her words. "So, you think I should jump ship? Align myself with you, a group of desperate fugitives?"

"You're smart, Professor," Marriam replied, her voice steady. "You can see the cracks forming in Richard's operation. When the truth comes out, you don't want to be standing next to him. What we're offering is a way out—before it all comes crashing down."

There was a long, tense silence as Zulu considered her proposition. He took a slow step closer, towering over her now.

"And if I refuse? If I turn you over to Richard right now, what's to stop me from taking whatever evidence you have and using it to solidify my place in his inner circle?"

Marriam's heart pounded in her chest, but she didn't break eye contact. "You could do that. But you'd be taking a gamble. Richard's unpredictable, and the second he thinks you're a liability, you'll be the next one in his sights. Help us, and you control the narrative. You'll be the one who brings him down, and you'll walk away untouched."

Zulu's gaze remained fixed on her, unblinking. Then, after what felt like an eternity, he let out a low chuckle.

"You've got guts, I'll give you that." He reached into his coat, and for a brief moment, Marriam's breath caught, wondering if he was about to pull a weapon. But instead, he withdrew a small flash drive and held it out to her.

"This is what you're looking for," he said quietly. "It's not everything, but it's enough to start unraveling Richard's operation. It contains names, financial records—things that will make people start asking questions."

Marriam took the drive cautiously, her mind racing. "Why give this to me?"

Zulu's smirk returned. "Because you're right. Richard's empire is teetering on the edge, and I'm not interested in going down with it. But make no mistake, Ms. Mayo—if you fail, if this blows up in your face, I will deny ever meeting you. You're on your own if things go south."

Marriam nodded, pocketing the flash drive. "Understood."

Zulu glanced over his shoulder, his posture tense. "I'd suggest you leave now. Richard's men aren't far behind. You have a head start, but it won't last long."

Without another word, Zulu turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Marriam standing alone by the fountain. Her hands trembled slightly as she pulled out her phone and spoke into the earpiece.

"I've got it. Let's move."

Jay and Ellen emerged from the darkness a few moments later, their faces tight with concern.

"Did it go as planned?" Jay asked, his eyes searching her face.

"For now," Marriam replied, holding up the flash drive. "But we don't have much time. We need to get somewhere safe and figure out our next move."

As they hurried away from the gardens, Marriam's mind raced with possibilities. They had the leverage they needed, but the clock was ticking. Richard wouldn't stop until they were silenced for good.

The game had only just begun, and now, with Zulu's dangerous alliance in play, the stakes were higher than ever.