Chapter 40 Release the Dogs

A black Lincoln stretch limo pulled up, and its door swung open. Then, a man in a dark, tailored suit stepped out, his tall figure cutting an imposing silhouette in the darkness. The shadows partially obscured his sharp features, making his expression unreadable. One of his men approached and whispered, "He fell for it." In a damp basement, a metal cage of about ten square feet dominated the space. Inside, a man covered in dirt curled up in a corner, trembling. His head was hidden beneath a black hood. With a sharp click, the overhead lights flickered on, bathing the cage in a harsh white light. When someone yanked off the hood, the man quickly covered his eyes. His vision, unused to light after hours in the dark, took a long moment to adjust. After several moments, he managed to peek through the cage bars. About six feet away, an elegantly dressed man in a custom suit sat on a leather couch, casually swirling a glass of red wine. The seated man's face was concealed behind a sini