Price of Passion

Chapter 10: Finale

Standing in the humid Istanbul heat, Yiğit fished out his vibrating mobile from his coat pocket. Putting the call on speaker, he gestured his brother and sister-in-law over. Despite the noisy hum of traffic outside the station, the three of them could hear Oğuz's baritone voice clearly.

"Yiğit," said Oğuz. "We've got him. He just called Ali to kidnap Mert Aslan for 10 million dollars."

Out of raw maternal instinct, Aslı's knees almost gave way upon hearing what Oğuz had just said. Her heart almost leapt out of her throat. 10 million dollars?! She finally felt what Suna and Yiğit felt all those years ago - but double the shock. Ferhat placed his hand firmly on his wife's arm, calming her down as they remembered their part in this game - Mert is safe at home with Dilsiz and Hulya.

"Sakin ol," Ferhat whispered in Aslı's ears. "Nothing will happen to Mert."

"I'll solve that," Yiğit continued. "You have Özge with you, değil mı?"

"Evet," said Oğuz. "We are now waiting for Ali and Cemal at the Beşiktaş Middle School."

"Güzel," said Yiğit. "Once Ali and Cemal are there, tell them to take Özge to where Cüneyt will be. I solve the problem for Mert. Hadi Inşallah."

"Inşallah," said Oğuz before hanging up the call. Turning to Ferhat and Aslı, Yiğit took a deep breath before telling them what might be their biggest challenge in the case.

"What is it about Mert, oğlum," said Ferhat warily. "Why is my son involved in this?"

"Tamam Abi, sakin ol," said Yiğit. "I'll explain. Ama I'll only ask one thing of you both, lütfen."

Aslı sensed Yiğit's internal dilemma, but they are running out of time. "Tamam Yiğit," she said. "Whatever you say, we'll do our best."

"Cüneyt just called one of our undercover police to kidnap Mert for 10 million dollars," said Yiğit. "Ama good thing he doesn't know we had set a trap for him. Şimdi, Özge is with Oğuz Bey at the school. Once the undercovers are there, they will go to the site where Cüneyt had set. Ali, our undercover, will then call either one of you for the money."

Aslı and Ferhat fell silent, trying to digest what they've just heard. I knew this is going to be complicated, Yiğit thought.

"Çok zor biliyorum," Yiğit continued. "Ama, I need you both to bring Mert with you to the place. And prepare the money, in case we need it."

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"I can't believe that pislik had the guts to ask for 10 million dollars," said Aslı in utter disbelief. "Nasıl bir insan ya? Bende bilmiyorum."

"Insan yok, Aslı," Ferhat growled. "Insan yok. He's a bloody rat."

Ferhat clenched his jaw as he remembered the time when his brother was humiliated by Namık Emirhan when trying to save Ozgur with 5 million dollars - exactly 5 years ago. Driving the Range Rover at high speed, Ferhat made his way into the Beykoz district when his phone rang.

"Mehmet Bey ariyor," said Aslı. "Should we answer?"

"Put him on speaker," said Ferhat. "Let's see what he's up to this time."

Doing as what Ferhat had said, Aslı put the call on speaker. Mehmet's powerful voice came through the line.

"Allo Ferhat," he said. "Sen nereye?"

"Trying to catch this şerefsiz Cüneyt," Ferhat said. "Hayırdır?"

"I'm at the entrance of your house," said Mehmet with a light chuckle. "I have a little something for you."