The black lotus

Chapter 40: The Black lotus

The Black Lotus wasn't just a club. It was a sanctuary for the city's elite—those who lived in the shadows and wanted to forget the world outside. The air inside was thick with the scent of expensive cigars, smooth whiskey, and the sharp, seductive hum of jazz that seemed to reverberate through every inch of the room.

Elias led the way, his eyes scanning the dimly lit interior, every movement calculated, every step measured. Collins trailed behind, scanning the crowd with his usual easygoing air, but his instincts were sharp, like a predator aware of its surroundings. Natalie followed, her gaze sharp and steady, her presence commanding, though she didn't let anyone know she was always assessing, always calculating. The Black Lotus was a place where the stakes were high, and every move you made could be your last.

The atmosphere in the room was thick with tension, but no one noticed. Everyone was too caught up in their own little dramas. The rich and powerful were all here, either drowning their sorrows in drinks or making deals in hushed voices. The waiters weaved in and out of the crowd, effortlessly serving the guests, their eyes trained on the rich and their secrets.

And then, they saw him.

Grayson Wells sat at a secluded booth at the back of the room. His presence was like a dark cloud hanging over the club. Tall and impeccably dressed in a black suit that was tailored to perfection, he exuded an air of power that couldn't be ignored. His eyes were cold, scanning the room with a detached, calculating expression, as if he already knew who was watching him. His fingers drummed against the glass of his drink, his attention on the people around him but his mind clearly elsewhere.

Elias felt his pulse quicken. This was it. The man they had been hunting for, the one who had eluded them for so long, was sitting just a few feet away, barely acknowledging their presence. This was their chance.

But Elias knew better than to rush in blindly. He glanced at Collins, who gave him a slight nod. It was time to approach.

They weaved through the crowd, their movements fluid, blending in with the others, but every step brought them closer to their target. Elias couldn't help but notice how everyone around them seemed to shift ever so slightly, as if they could feel the gravity of the moment.

When they reached Grayson's booth, Elias gave him a polite nod, his voice smooth as he spoke. "Mr. Wells, I presume?"

Grayson's eyes flickered toward him, and for a moment, Elias could have sworn he saw a flash of something—amusement, perhaps, or recognition. It was gone in an instant, replaced with a cool, disinterested expression.

"Who's asking?" Grayson replied, his voice smooth, almost mocking, as if he were bored by the encounter already.

Elias didn't flinch. He sat down across from Grayson without waiting for an invitation, his posture confident, exuding an air of authority. Collins and Natalie slid into the booth beside him, and Elias didn't need to look at them to know they were on edge.

"I'm Detective Elias Mercer," Elias began, his tone steady, "and I'm Detective Elias Mercer," Elias began, his tone steady, "and these are my associates—Collins Monroe and Natalie Grey. We have some... unfinished business with you, Mr. Wells."

Grayson's lips curved into a small, knowing smile. He leaned back in his seat, taking a slow sip of his drink as if he were savoring it. His gaze shifted briefly toward Collins, then to Natalie, before finally returning to Elias.

"Unfinished business?" Grayson echoed, his voice smooth but carrying an underlying sharpness. "I'm afraid you've come to the wrong place. I'm just a businessman, Detective. I don't know what kind of business you're looking for, but I assure you, I don't entertain law enforcement."

Elias remained unfazed, leaning forward just a fraction. "That's where you're wrong, Mr. Wells. You see, your business involves people who've crossed a line. And we're here to make sure you don't get away with it."

Grayson's smile deepened. He set his glass down and leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table. "I'm intrigued," he said softly. "But you'll have to forgive me if I don't immediately jump into business with a detective who thinks he can just walk in here and... threaten me."

The tension in the air grew thick, like a storm about to break. Collins, ever the skeptic, watched Grayson intently, his fingers twitching as if preparing for a fight. But Natalie, ever composed, remained silent, her sharp eyes analyzing every subtle movement.

Elias held Grayson's gaze. He didn't flinch, didn't back down. This was more than a conversation. It was a battle of wills.

"I don't threaten," Elias said slowly. "I deliver justice. And the clock's ticking on yours."

Grayson's eyes darkened for a fraction of a second, and Elias could feel the shift in the room. The air had gone cold, like a predator had finally sniffed its prey. Grayson let out a soft chuckle, leaning back in his chair, as if thoroughly entertained.

"You really think you've got me cornered, don't you?" Grayson mused, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the edge of his glass. "I've dealt with far worse than you. Far worse."

"Then you should know," Elias replied, "I don't play by the rules. And I don't stop until the job's done."

The silence between them stretched long enough to feel like an eternity. Finally, Grayson's smirk faltered, just for a moment. His eyes flicked to something behind Elias, a subtle shift, but Elias didn't need to look back to know what it meant.

He leaned in, lowering his voice just enough for Grayson to hear. "I've already won. This is just the final act."

Grayson's expression froze for the briefest of moments, before he regained his composure, standing up slowly. "I think you've overstayed your welcome, Detective. I suggest you leave... before things get messy."

Elias stood as well, his movements deliberate. "You'll regret this."

Before Grayson could respond, Elias turned on his heel, signaling to Collins and Natalie that it was time to go. The three of them left the Black Lotus behind, the doors swinging shut behind them. Outside, the night air felt sharper, colder. The calm before the storm.

Collins broke the silence first, his voice a little too casual. "Well, that was fun. Think he'll come around?"

Elias didn't answer immediately. Instead, he took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "It's not about him coming around. It's about what happens when he realizes that this time, there's no escape."