AFLOAT Season 4 E.12 (Season Finale)

A man who masters patience masters everything else
               — Anonymous

____________________________

Ituron Community

Alex pushed himself out of his chair. The legs scraped loudly against the concrete floor, the sound echoing through the quiet office. He walked toward the window and stared into the darkness outside.

He hated waiting. He hated uncertainty even more.

A younger Alex, with little or nothing to lose, would have stormed into the night, reckless and furious, caring little whose son was buried beneath the aftermath of his rage.

But his father was gone and the responsibilities had fallen on his shoulders. Somewhere along the way, Alex had learned to become smarter, more patient and tactful.

He understood Eric's analysis. He knew his hackers were among the best in the country, but even the best needed time. And time was exactly what they were running out of.

"I don't think he knows Maurice is dead."

Eric's voice pulled Alex away from the window and his thoughts. He turned to look at him and nearly missed the faintest hint of a smile on Eric's face. Alex's eyes hardened.

"We've sent messages using Maurice's phone, asking this Stanley to meet. The plan is to get him to agree to a meeting with Maurice."

Tony frowned.

"And how are we sure this bird and girl are connected to Dapper? How do we even know Stanley isn't another waste of our precious time?"

"Guy, if this was a kidnapping for ransom, don't you think they would've reached out by now?" Tony pointed out. He rubbed the back of his neck unable to conceal his agitation.

"Think about it." Eric said, shifting to face Tony 

"Why would Maurice be using a burner phone in this village? We both know the man was barely surviving, yet he had a burner?"

He shook his head and glanced towards Alex.

"If you ask me, this isn't a coincidence. Maurice always swore openly that he'd get revenge on everyone. Maybe this isn't an ordinary kidnapping."

Eric spoke calmly like someone who had considered every possibility before opening his mouth. His eyes moved between Tony and Alex. 

"Maybe this is him getting back at all of us."

A heavy, intense silence followed. Then Tony cursed under his breath.

"If Maurice was involved in this, then it means that this goes way higher. Maurice was vengeful, yes, but he didn't have the resources to pull something like this off."

He met Eric's steady gaze.

"And one thing that bastard lacked was balls."

Eric's mouth twitched at Tony's words.

"He must have been promised something by someone with deep pockets. Someone with connections. That's the only way to motivate Maurice to be a fool. A greedy fool." 

Tony finished as his expression hardened with rage.

Eric smiled then, as though relieved that their thoughts had finally aligned.

Alex slowly exhaled. His gaze moved from the phone on the table to Eric.

If what they suspected was true, then his instincts had been right. This wasn't about money and it definitely wasn't some desperate group of boys looking for a quick wealth. 

Someone had taken Dapper because they wanted him to react.They wanted him angry, wanted him to become reckless and make mistakes. And if they were playing that game, then Dapper's life wasn't necessarily their ultimate objective. They wanted leverage. They wanted him. It was about him.

A cold fury spread through his chest as the realization hit him hard.

His little sister was somewhere out there, terrified and alone, while someone sat in the shadows and played games with him?

Alex's jaw tightened. 

Well, they asked for it.

"Find this Stanley," he whispered. His voice trembled with suppressed rage. 'Tear this town apart, block by block, until you bring me that bastard."

He took a step toward the two men, his eyes burning. "Make it loud. I want them to know I'm coming. And if anything happens to Dapper..."

His expression hardened into something terrifyingly calm.

"I'll burn this entire place to the ground." 

END

SEASON 5, COMING SOON

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