Inspector Sadiq Bello had barely slept.
The image of the mayor's daughter reading from that script replayed in his head over and over again. Something about the video felt calculated, almost theatrical.
Kidnappers usually demanded money.
These men wanted political power.
And that made the situation far more dangerous.
He stood in front of a large board inside the investigation room. Photos were pinned everywhere.
The kidnapped students.
The mayor.
Gentle Jack.
The bus driver Martin Doyle.
And now a new photo was being added.
The opposition candidate.
Sadiq studied the face carefully.
"Politics," he muttered.
"When politicians fight… ordinary people bleed."
One of his officers approached.
"Sir, the appointment is confirmed."
Sadiq grabbed his coat.
"Good."
"Let's see what our honorable candidate has to say this time."
The Candidate's MansionThe residence of the opposition candidate sat on a quiet hill overlooking the city.
Large gates.
Private guards.
Luxury cars parked neatly along the driveway.
Sadiq stepped out of the police vehicle, adjusting his jacket.
Two security guards stopped him at the entrance.
"Inspector Bello," one of them said after checking his badge.
"The candidate is expecting you."
Sadiq walked inside.
The house was quiet but elegant. Large paintings decorated the walls, and the faint smell of expensive coffee filled the air.
A tall man stood near the window overlooking the garden.
The opposition candidate.
He turned slowly as Sadiq approached.
"Inspector Bello," the man said calmly.
"I heard you wanted to see me again after our first meeting."
Sadiq nodded.
"Yes."
"This kidnapping… has political fingerprints all over it."
The candidate raised an eyebrow.
"Are you accusing me?"
"I'm asking questions."
The man smiled slightly.
"Fair enough."
He gestured toward the chair.
"Sit."
Sadiq sat down but kept his eyes locked on the candidate.
"You've seen the new video," Sadiq said.
"Yes."
"And the demand."
The candidate nodded.
"Step down from the election."
Sadiq leaned forward.
"That benefits you."
The candidate chuckled softly.
"Inspector… if I wanted to win an election through crime, I wouldn't choose kidnapping school children."
Sadiq didn't smile.
"Then explain something."
"What?"
"Someone planned this operation very carefully."
"Someone who understands politics."
"Someone who knows the mayor well."
The candidate crossed his arms.
"Then maybe you should look closer to the mayor."
Sadiq's eyes narrowed.
"What do you mean?"
The candidate shrugged.
"Politics is a dirty game."
"Sometimes people create their own problems just to look like heroes solving them."
The room went silent.
Sadiq studied him carefully.
"Are you saying the mayor staged this?"
"I'm saying," the candidate replied calmly,
"You should investigate everyone."
"Even the people giving you orders."
Sadiq stood up slowly.
"That's exactly what I plan to do."
Back at Police HeadquartersWhen Sadiq returned to headquarters, the investigation room was buzzing with activity.
Phones ringing.
Officers running reports.
Maps being updated.
One of the analysts approached him quickly.
"Sir, we checked the bus driver's bank records."
"And?"
"There's something strange."
Sadiq leaned over the computer screen.
"Three days before the kidnapping, he received a transfer."
"How much?"
"Twenty thousand dollars."
Sadiq's jaw tightened.
"That's not a coincidence."
"Do we know who sent it?"
The analyst shook his head.
"The account was routed through several offshore banks."
Sadiq sighed.
"They planned everything."
Another officer walked in.
"Sir, we've issued the arrest warrant for Martin Doyle."
"Every checkpoint in the city has his picture."
Sadiq nodded.
"Good."
"But I don't think we'll find him easily."
The Mayor's DoubtsAt the mayor's residence, the atmosphere had become tense.
Phones rang constantly.
Reporters waited outside the gate.
Inside the private office, the mayor sat alone with the PA.
The television replayed the kidnapping video again.
The mayor turned it off.
"I don't like this."
The PA remained calm.
"It's part of the plan."
"My daughter looked terrified."
"She's acting."
"Are you sure?"
The PA leaned forward slightly.
"Sir, this operation was designed to gain sympathy from voters."
"And it's working."
"Your approval ratings have already increased,you've seen it yourself."
The mayor rubbed his forehead.
"But what if something goes wrong?"
"It won't."
"How can you be certain?"
The PA smiled faintly.
"Because we control the kidnappers."
The mayor didn't respond immediately.
But deep inside…
A small seed of doubt had started to grow.
Inside the WarehouseThe kidnapped students were slowly adapting to their situation.
Fear was still everywhere.
But survival instincts had begun to take over.
Some students whispered quietly.
Others sat together in small groups for comfort.
Noah looked around carefully.
The kidnappers were distracted near the entrance again.
He leaned closer to Alex.
"Are you okay?"
She nodded.
"I'm trying not to panic."
Noah whispered quietly.
"We need to stay observant."
"Watch everything they do."
Alex looked confused.
"Why?"
"Because every mistake they make could help us escape."
Across the room, Zara sat quietly against the wall.
She looked exhausted after being forced to record the video.
But she was listening carefully to everything around her.
One of the kidnappers walked past carrying a bag of food.
The smell of fried rice filled the room.
Students immediately noticed.
"Food," one boy whispered.
The kidnapper dropped the bag on a table.
"Eat."
Some students rushed forward.
Others hesitated.
Noah studied the containers carefully.
"These aren't home made deliveries," he whispered.
Alex looked confused.
"What do you mean?"
"Someone bought this food from outside."
"Which means…"
He looked toward the door.
"…they're leaving the warehouse."
That meant something important.
They weren't completely isolated.
There was movement.
And movement meant opportunities.
Gentle Jack WatchesFrom the upper floor of the warehouse, Gentle Jack watched everything.
His eyes were calm and calculating.
One of his men approached.
"The food is finished."
Jack nodded.
"Good."
"Keep them alive and quiet."
The man hesitated.
"What about the mayor?"
Jack smiled slightly.
"He's starting to panic."
"And when politicians panic…"
"They make mistakes." So we have to keep to the script.
Jack looked down at the students again.
"Let the clock run."
Sadiq's New TheoryBack at headquarters, Sadiq stared at the evidence board again.
Something about the case wasn't adding up.
Kidnappers demanding a political resignation.
A bus driver receiving money.
A carefully planned ambush.
Then the opposition candidate's words echoed in his mind.
"Sometimes people create their own problems… just to look like heroes solving them."
Sadiq crossed his arms.
"What if…"
One officer looked up.
"What if what, sir?"
"What if this kidnapping wasn't meant to succeed?"
The officer frowned.
"I don't understand."
"What if the goal was publicity?"
The room went silent.
"Sir… you think the mayor planned this?"
Sadiq didn't answer immediately.
But the possibility had already entered his mind.
And once that kind of suspicion appeared…
It never disappeared.