The Hostages

Powerless

Jeno and Haechan wandered the hallways together, giving the elevators longing glances. "I wish we could at least go to the practice rooms or something," Haechan grumbled. "I'm gonna go crazy staying up here."

"Tell me about it," Jeno agreed, "but I think I heard Sehun talking about turning the conference room into a dance space."

"Do you think he's done it yet?" Haechan asked excitedly.

Jeno shrugged. "Only one way to find out."

"Let's go!" Haechan exclaimed, running down the hallway. Jeno ran after him and they skidded to a stop in front of the conference room door. Haechan started to go in, but Jeno threw an arm across his chest. "Listen," he whispered.

"-don't take orders from some small-time detective! If I choose not to talk, that's my business!"

"Is that the-" Haechan began.

"Shh!" Jeno snapped, craning his head.

"But sir, if it is-"

"I will take care of it!" Mr. Yang barked. "Are you so much smarter than me? Maybe you should be the CEO and I should be the assistant!"

"N-no sir, that's not-"

"Go tell that Detective Kwon that I can't see him today!" he interrupted, "and cancel my afternoon meetings."

They heard footsteps approaching and they dashed around the corner just as the harried assistant came out, heading the opposite direction.

"What do you suppose-" Haechan began.

"Wait!" Jeno said as Mr. Yang came out and got on the elevator. They stayed frozen until the doors closed, then they let out a sigh of relief. "That was close," Jeno breathed.

"What are you doing?"

Haechan jumped and stumbled back into Jeno. "Taeyong! You scared us," he squeaked.

"Speak for yourself," Jeno said, shoving Haechan off of him.

"What's going on?" Taeyong asked.

Haechan and Jeno exchanged a look. "It's probably nothing," Jeno assured him, turning to leave, but Taeyong grabbed his shoulder. "Tell me anyway," he said, "I'm as bored as you are."

"We were gonna go to the conference room," Haechan volunteered, "but Mr. Yang was already in there."

"Really?" Taeyong asked, folding his arms. "What did you say to him?"

"We didn't go in," Jeno replied. "He was yelling at his assistant. He sounded really angry."

"I'm sure he's under a lot of stress. What were they yelling about?"

Jeno was cut off by the elevator doors opening again. Two policemen stepped off, their badges flashing on chains around their necks as they beelined for the conference room. The older one looked irate and was walking very fast, making the younger one struggle to keep up.

"I'll catch up with you later," Taeyong murmured, following the policemen.

Jeno and Haechan glanced at each other. "What's up with him?" Haechan wondered.

******

Taeyong turned the corner just as the policemen disappeared into the conference room. He jogged over and pressed himself against the wall as he listened.

"How could we miss him?!" the younger one huffed. "The receptionist said he was-"

"The receptionist lied," the older one said coolly. "Mr. Yang is avoiding us."