Chapter 3: Infiltration

Ethan Reed had thoroughly reviewed Michael Chase's file. Normally, Chase was accompanied by four bodyguards, indicating tight security measures. Ironically, the day he had only two guards was due to his attendance at a charity event for disabled children.

Charity work, it seemed, didn't lend itself to an intimidating security presence. Unfortunately, no matter how commendable his public actions, they couldn't mask his burgeoning ambitions and desires.

The dossier also revealed that Chase's most frequented locations were the Global Dynamics Corporation Tower and his residential villa.

The villa, heavily guarded and with limited access, was quickly dismissed by Reed as a viable option due to the high difficulty of escape.

That left the Corporation Tower. Reed had already acquired the internal layout of the building, but penetrating the heart of Global Dynamics was not going to be straightforward.

Moreover, given the potential betrayal of their inside man at Global Dynamics, any direct incursion could pose an unpredictable risk. The best strategy seemed to be to handle matters from a distance, unseen and unheard.

With a plan in mind, Reed, carrying a backpack, casually surveyed the vicinity of the Global Dynamics Tower, inspecting the surroundings for a potential vantage point. The backpack, though ordinary in appearance, contained a handgun, a silencer, and a disassembled sniper rifle.

The Global Dynamics Tower stood tall among its surroundings, a prominent feature in the skyline. Chase's office was located on the second-to-top floor, a challenging height that offered no suitable sniping spots in the immediate vicinity.

Reed's gaze drifted further afield. Two buildings in the outer circle matched the Tower's height, one of which was in a promising position.

If he could gain access to a room at the same level, he might have a clear shot at Chase's office. If memory served correctly, that was a luxury hotel. A hotel room would provide the privacy needed for such a task but the distance was a stretch for a sniper shot.

Approaching the chosen building, Reed intended to book a room. However, noticing the hotel's signage included the Global Dynamics logo right beneath its name, he realized the hotel was under Global Dynamics' umbrella. This required extra caution.

Changing his plan, Reed relaxed his grip on the fake ID in his pocket. If a direct approach wasn't feasible, he'd have to be more covert.

Entering the hotel lobby, Reed avoided the surveillance cameras, bypassing the front desk and elevator to ascend via the staircase marked "Emergency Exit."

On the fourth floor, he carefully noted the cameras' positions before silently slipping into a room labeled "STAFF ONLY." Inside, he found a slightly oversized hotel uniform, which he donned after stuffing pillowcases under the shirt and pants to alter his silhouette.

Placing his backpack in a cleaning cart and covering it with dirty linens, Reed now looked the part of a hotel cleaner, careful to keep his face hidden from the cameras.

With the cleaning cart, he took the elevator to the top floors, avoiding guests' attention by keeping his head down.

Reaching the top, where the presidential suites were located, Reed found his target room. It was one of the few expensive suites seldom occupied. Knocking politely and receiving no answer, he shielded the camera's view, used his silenced handgun to break the lock, and entered.

After a thorough search to ensure no hidden cameras were inside, Reed moved to the balcony facing the Global Dynamics Tower. Using a small monocular, he scanned the opposite building, quickly locating Chase's office.

Given the confidence in the Tower's imposing height, Chase's office had floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing Reed a clear view inside. Chase was visible, sitting at his desk, talking to another man.

The distance was indeed a challenge for most, but Reed was not an ordinary marksman.

Everything was proceeding smoothly. Reed set up the sniper rifle, using the balcony railing for support, and began calculating the environmental factors' impact on the shot using a small device.

As he was about to take the shot, his encrypted phone vibrated – a message reading simply, "Abort mission." The message self-deleted after being read.

Reed hesitated, knowing that any evidence of his presence, like the damaged door lock, would put Global Dynamics on high alert, making any future attempts far more difficult.

His finger lingered on the trigger, torn between following orders and seizing the opportunity.

After a moment of contemplation, he chose to obey, dismantling his setup and leaving the hotel as discreetly as he had entered.