Chapter 38: The Search for Andrew

The revelation of Romano's grudge had shaken Sophia, but James remained composed, his mind calculating their next steps. As the files continued to decrypt on the laptop, Sophia noticed a folder labeled "Project Revenant"—its contents marked with dates, locations, and a name that made her breath hitch: Andrew Morrison.

"Andrew?" she whispered, her fingers hovering over the trackpad.

James's jaw tightened as he leaned closer. "Open it."

The folder contained detailed surveillance reports, photographs of Andrew, and records of his abduction. The last entry was dated two weeks ago, with coordinates pointing to an abandoned facility on the outskirts of the city.

Sophia's voice trembled. "James… he could still be alive."

James's expression darkened, his mind racing. Andrew Morrison had been his closest ally once—a brilliant strategist and loyal friend. If Romano had kept Andrew alive, it was likely for leverage or something worse.

"We're going," James said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The Journey

The drive to the location was tense. James and Sophia barely spoke, the weight of what they might find hanging heavily between them. Sophia clutched her gun tightly, her knuckles white.

"What if…" she began, her voice faltering.

"We'll find him," James interrupted firmly. He refused to entertain the alternative.

The coordinates led them to an old warehouse, its windows shattered and walls covered in graffiti. The area was eerily quiet, the kind of silence that made the hairs on the back of Sophia's neck stand up.

Inside the Facility

They entered cautiously, weapons drawn. The air was thick with the stench of mildew and decay. Papers and broken equipment littered the floor, evidence of hasty abandonment.

James led the way, his sharp gaze scanning every corner. They moved through the facility methodically until they found a locked room at the end of a dimly lit corridor.

James examined the keypad lock, his fingers brushing over the worn numbers. "Someone's been using this recently."

Sophia handed him a small hacking device, and within moments, the lock clicked open. James pushed the door inward, revealing a small, barren room.

At the center, slumped against the wall, was a man.

"Andrew!" Sophia gasped, rushing forward.

James grabbed her arm, stopping her. "Wait."

Sophia froze as James scanned the room for traps or hidden dangers. Satisfied it was safe, he nodded, and they both approached Andrew cautiously.

The Fate of Andrew

Andrew was alive, but barely. His face was gaunt, his body battered and bruised. His wrists and ankles were bound with rope, and a gag muffled his weak groans.

Sophia dropped to her knees beside him, carefully removing the gag. "Andrew, it's us. You're safe now."

His eyes fluttered open, glassy and unfocused. "James…" he croaked, his voice hoarse.

James knelt beside him, his hand on Andrew's shoulder. "We've got you," he said firmly. "You're going to be okay."

They worked quickly to free him, but Andrew was too weak to stand on his own. James hoisted him up, his strength and resolve unshaken.

"Why… why did you come?" Andrew whispered.

Sophia smiled softly, brushing hair from his face. "We're not leaving anyone behind."

As they carried him out, Andrew's voice wavered. "Romano… he wanted… information… about you, James. He knows…"

James's expression hardened. "He won't get another chance."

A Fragile Hope

Back in the car, Sophia tended to Andrew's wounds as James drove. Andrew was slipping in and out of consciousness, but his words lingered heavily.

Sophia glanced at James, her worry evident. "Romano knew Andrew was connected to you. How much does he know?"

"Enough to come after me personally," James said, his tone grim.

Sophia hesitated, then asked the question that had been eating at her. "James… what did Andrew mean? What does Romano know about you that I don't?"

James's hands tightened on the wheel, his jaw clenching. "I'll tell you everything when the time is right. For now, we focus on keeping him alive."

Sophia's frustration simmered, but she held her tongue. The priority was getting Andrew somewhere safe and stable.

As they sped through the city, the tension in the car was palpable. But there was a glimmer of hope now—a chance to save someone they cared about, even as the storm around them intensified.