Chapter 122

“I’ll be stationed in a covert position. You’ll be in my full view,” Captain Whitlock said as he prepped Will. “You’ll be able to hear everything I say with this earpiece.” Will pushed it into his ear. The captain tested it and they ensured it worked.
“Police are on the way to the location tracked from the phone call. But they won’t move in until the press conference is live. A few undercover agents will be posing as press to watch out for any suspicious persons. Now remember, Will. You need to do this right. Everything hinges on this. Getting the hostages out and bringing Robert Stewart along with all of his accomplices to justice.”
“Is there anyone on Robert’s house?” Alex asked.
“There are people ready. But we won’t send anyone until your friends have been secured. With everything we have, thanks to all of you, we have enough for a search warrant for his home and to arrest him.”
“You work fast,” Sabrina commented.
“I’ve been doing this a while. It also helps that I have some… alternative rivers to swim through. All right everyone. It’s time. Will, with me. Everyone else, stay put. Watch the conference on TV. Let’s go.”
Will and Captain Whitlock piled into a waiting car. The windows were heavily tinted. For protection, the captain had clarified. Whatever nerves or fear Will thought he would feel… weren’t there. A resolute sense of calm had taken over him. Perhaps it was the suit. Which he had to admit was the best suit he’d ever worn. It did feel like armor. Perhaps it was the fact that they veil was lifted. He and Robert were on the same playing field. Robert wasn’t stupid. He had to know that Will wasn’t alone in this.
Well, maybe he is dumber than I thought, Will smiled. No one was ready. Will came to fight. And he was going to win.
“There’s a back way into the building,” Will said as they got close. The press conference was set to take place in front of the Stewart Industries flagship building. The one his grandfather had had built. It seemed like a fitting setting for this. Like Pop is with me.
“Good idea. The place is probably swarming with press.”
Will directed the driver through some back streets towards the building. As they got closer, the swarm of media became visible. Sabrina had done well. Every news channel, newspaper, magazine, tabloid, gossip blogger, and entertainment reporter in the city was there. There were even some from neighboring cities. Alex and Spencer had done there part as well. Just about every influential person in the city had some sort of presence there. They were sharks, waiting for fresh blood. It was perfect.
They parked the car.
“You’re on your own from here,” Captain Whitlock explained. “But don’t worry. I’ll have eyes on you the whole time.”
“I’m not worried. I’m ready.”
“Good. You know what to say, right?”
“I got it.”
Will walked through the building’s lobby, ignoring all of the stares and murmurs coming from the people around him. He felt as though he was moving in slow motion. Like a scene from a movie. As he walked through the front doors, he was blinding by hundreds of camera flashes. A cacophony of voices erupted as he emerged. They asked questions, but they all overlapped into a loud roar. For a moment, he was overwhelmed. Lost in the ocean of eyes staring at him.
“Hey,” the captain’s voice came through the earpiece. “Breathe. Walk up to the podium and settle that crowd down. We want this over and done with as soon as possible.”
Right. Will walked up to the large collection of microphones and took a deep breath. You are William fucking Stewart, he reminded himself. You’re going to do this and get your woman back.
Back at Alex’s home, the pressure was thick. The three of them were glued to the TV, barely able to breathe.
“This is it,” Spencer said as they watched Will walk to the podium. “You think he’s got it?”
“I know he’s got it,” Alex said.
“He has to,” Sabrina added. “Everything is riding on this.”
“It’s going to be okay, Brina. You’ll see. Captain Whitlock already has people in position. As soon as the announcement is made, he’ll give them the signal to move in.”

Will could feel every eye on him. Alex, Sabrina, and even Spencer’s were on him as well. It was unnerving, but somehow empowering at the same time.
“Hello everyone,” he said into the microphones. “If you’d give me your attention, I’d like to begin.”
The unrest among the press died down and their rapt attention was his. Will looked up at for a moment, gathering his strength and stilling his mind. This is for you, Pop.
“Good afternoon. First, I’d like to thank you all for coming,” Will began reciting his rehearsed speech. “I understand that I have gathered you all here under vague and mysterious circumstances. It is admirable that you have assembled so quickly. As you know, Stewart Industries has had a difficult year.” The cameras went wild with photos and the questions were being fired at him again. He held up his hands and settled everyone back down. It’s now or never. “I’m also sure you are all aware of the personal issues I have faced. I am here to announce that Stewart Industries is under investigation.”
“What are you doing?” the captain asked, but he didn’t sound concerned at all.
A large collective gasp waved through the crowd.
“It has come to my attention,” he continued. “that someone from within the company has been using company funds, accesses, and the company’s name for nefarious deeds. I am fully cooperating with the police and this investigation. I will be answering a few questions at this time.”
“Atta boy,” the captain smiled. He knew Will would understand what needed to be done. Right about now, he figured that Robert Stewart was losing his shit. “All units, move into position.”
The press and all media outlets blew into a frenzy. Hands and shouts filled the air as everyone vied for the chance to have their question heard. Will pointed at someone in the front.
“Why are you announcing this? Why not just keep the investigation quiet?”
“That is a great question,” Will answered. “My grandfather, Conrad Stewart, founded this company. He was an honest man and he taught me to value, above all things, integrity, and honesty. I am his living legacy, and I am doing this to honor his memory.” Will looked right into the camera knowing that Robert was watching. “Stewart Industries has been a pillar of this city for many years. We have provided jobs, generated revenue, and have even provided funding for city infrastructure projects. I have been charged with being this company’s guardian and I will guard it. And I will guard all the people that I am duty bound to. From any and every enemy.”
Calamity reigned as bulbs flashed and shouts climbed over each other. With every passing second, Will felt the power he’d once lost return to him. He felt in his soul that this was the right thing. He understood what Captain Whitlock was trying to tell him. This is what would get the best reaction from Robert. A direct attack. He was already getting cocky. And now if he felt cornered, he would lash out and give them even more ammo to use against them.
“What did he just do?” Spencer yelled at the TV. “What the hell was that?”
“This will ruin everything!” Alex agreed.
“No,” Sabrina said, her eyes narrowed with realization. “You guys, he planned this. This is his way of getting his uncle to mess up. There was no guarantee that even if Will said and did what he wanted that we would get the girls back. Now with his bomb he dropped, Robert will be so preoccupied with his anger that it gives us more time to actually save them! He’s a genius!”
Alex and Spencer stared at her. How could they not have seen that? It was like the sun breaking through the clouds after a storm.
“Babe, you should be in business. You’re cutthroat as fuck,” Alex marveled at her.
“Coming from you, I’ll take that as a compliment,” she smiled. “Now come on. We have to be ready for when Captain Whitlock calls.”
The police surrounded the building the phone signal came from. There was no movement they could see.
“Now! All units move in!” Came signal from Captain Whitlock. The police burst through the door and made their way into the building.
It was almost over.