Madeline walked inside Jacob's cabin, her eyes digging through the pages of the record file, she held in one arm as she went through the pages with the other. She entered the cabin, expecting Jacob to be seated in his chair, but she stood still, finding an empty cabin. As she closed the file and turned to leave, a vibrating ringtone, on the glass table caught her attention. She went forward to realize an unknown number flashing on the screen of Jacob's phone.

She took the ringing phone in her hand and walked out of the cabin, as she extended her neck to search through the glass panes, trying to find Jacob. But, when she found no sign of Jacob, she casually picked up the call. Before she could reply, a hoarse mysterious voice from the other end, drained off the color of her face. She kept the file and phone, over the glass table in a hurry and hastily walked out of the cabin, through half the office, in search of Jacob, but as she failed to find him. She thumped off to the basement and raced her car, with the highest acceleration.

-------------------------------------------

At the time of the meeting;

Jacob walked inside the meeting room, brushing off the wet part in his blazer. Clare, who was already seated on the chair.

Clare: Where were you?

Jacob: I was in the washroom. Unfortunate day. I spilled coffee over my blazer.

Clare: You call that an unfortunate day?

Jacob swinging his hands in the air: I had to go all day, in this.

Jackson walked inside the conference room and all eyes turned towards him, an unnatural tension filled the room and whispers spread across the room. None of this, bothered him, as he walked inside the room, calmly and pulled himself a chair.

Jacob: Where's Madeline?

Clare: The last I have seen her, inside your office.

Jacob: Really?

Jacob took a seat near Jackson.

Jacob: She should have been here by now?

He looked over at Jackson, who remained least bothered by his concern. Jackson sensed Jacob's eyes on him, as he turned towards Jacob.

Jackson: Why are you looking at me? I don't babysit your sister.

Jacob: Neither do I want you to.

Will: Yo Claros. The last time, I saw Madeline getting into a heated argument with you. What was that about?

Jackson: Well,...

"Mr. Thompsons!"

Before Jackson could come up with a reply to Will's witty comment, a uniformed man came to the door and called out for Jacob, which dragged everyone's attention.

"I am sorry to interrupt, but your phone has rung like crazy. I had to bring it to your attention."

Jacob stood up and walked up to the door, to get the phone, " Thank you."

As he picked up the call.

(over the phone)

"Jacob Thompsons! What a pleasure to hear your voice."

Jacob: Who are you?

"Let's keep the formality part aside, eh? Let's just say I can be your best friend or your worst enemy. It depends on your part of sincerity."

Jacob: Wait. Is that a threat? Do you know, who you are talking to?

"Absolutely! One who tried to screw us up. We are just preparing a return gift for you. But, you disappointed me. You have such a nice family. A beautiful wife. You still preferred to slack. You chose to send this fiery partner of yours, whose attitude is too distracting, that we had to come up with a solution..."

Jacob: What the hell did you do to them? How dare you talk about my WIFE!!

"Calm down, there. Don't forget, the control lies in my hands. You try to play smart, You lose them."

Jacob: W...Where are they? W...What did you do to them?

"I have too many ideas, in my mind. But, I won't start the real action until you are here. I promise. I want to see you scream, as they do."

Jacob: Don't you dare harm a single hair on them.

"You love them, that much right? Fair enough, if you have a lady like your wife to yourselves....."

Jacob: I dare you...

"45 minutes. 45 minutes, you have, to reach your place. If you want to do something to lessen your wife's pain. Either way, I can't promise you anything."

Jacob: I am going to...

* The phone hangs up.*

Jacob puts the phone in the table, carefully.

Jacob: Claros, Madeline was with you?

Jackson: Yeah....but..

Before Jackson could complete, Jacob held the back of Jackson's head through his palm and banged it over the table, making a loud sound. The sudden impact made everyone, rise from their seats

Jackson: THE FUCK.

Jacob, held him by his collar and pinned him to the wall at the back of the seat and choked him as Jackson tightly held his arm, in an attempt to free himself.

Jackson spoke coherently: Have you lost your mind?

Jacob: YOU... WE WERE STUPID TO TRUST YOU. I AM GOING TO KILL YOU.

Jackson used his strength to use his knees to hit Jacob's knees, making him take a few steps back.

Jackson: WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?

Jacob did not utter a word, as he violently took steps towards Jackson, but stopped himself, somehow.

Jacob: I swear to god. If in any way, you are involved in this...

Jackson: INVOLVED IN WHAT?

Jacob: DON'T ACT FUCKING INNOCENT.

........

Will: What's wrong?

Jacob: Cleo. Cleo is held, hostage. I have to go. Get the crew after me.

Jackson: Wait, They called you? This could be a trap.

Jacob:.....what do you expect me to do, you punk? This is my family I am talking about. My wife is pregnant, Goddamit!

Jackson: I am coming with you.

Jacob: The hell you are...

Jackson: Look, stop being crazy. Calm down, and think wisely.

Jacob: Now, "you" teach me, how to be wise?

Jackson: If you go there alone, situations may worsen. You don't know, what they have in store. I say, just wait and chalk out a plan. Or, let me come with you.

Jacob: I just have 45 minutes.

Jackson: Let me come with you.

Jacob kept his eyes intact on Jackson for some time, before he walked up to the door.

Jacob: Follow me.

Jackson scanned through the confused faces, who least expected Jacob to listen to him.

------------------------------------------------------------

Jacob kept anxiously breathing and tapping his fingers over the steering wheel, as the car stood at a signal.

Jacob: Why am I having a feeling that they got the signals as well?

Jackson kept checking his phone: Aha! They may.

Jacob: Claros, I am serious.

Jackson: I am stunned, here to find that you are letting ourselves get ruled by the traffic.

Jacob: You may not be well versed with traffic rules, but I have to be.

Jackson: No no no. You are wrong there. You are being particular about shits when your family is in danger. That makes me realize, you guys have no life.

Jacob turns towards Jackson in disgust.

Jackson: What? Look at you. Driving your car at the pace of a cart, when you just have maybe 20 minutes to cover the distance.

Jacob: I can't do, what you are expecting me of.

The lights turned green and Jacob started the car, at a slow pace.

Jackson: How about you let me handle the wheels?

Jacob: WHAT???

Jackson: Yeah. Just do it.

Jacob: I can't let you...

Jackson(rolled his eyes): Stop the car.

Jacob stopped the car, in an impulse. Jackson got off the car.

Jackson: Thompsons. We can't be late.

Jacob creased his eyebrows as he looked at Jackson. He got off the car at once.

Jackson took the steering as Jacob took the side seat, still skeptical of the idea.

Jackson started the ignition: Hold on tighter.

Jackson pushed the accelerator, as the car swung through the streets at its highest speed.

Jacob held the seats tightly as his eyes widened: WOOOAAHHH! THIS IS A FUCKING POLICE CAR, YOU ARE DRIVING. SLOW THE FUCK DOWN.

Jackson: What are you worried about? You are the keeper of these stupid laws, C'mon.

Jacob said to himself: God, have some mercy.

Jacob's phone rang after a few minutes, as he put the call on the loudspeaker.

Jacob: T...Thompsons. (Clearing his throat) Thompsons.

"Sir, we have a problem."