The call connected after just two short sharp rings on the loud phone speaker.
Caller: Did you find the money already, little girl?
Mark: Touch the boy, and I'll bury your entire crew.
The caller went completely silent on the other end of the line for several seconds.
Caller: Who the hell is this talking right now?
Mark: You don't need to know my name to know I mean every word.
Mark pressed the red end button and casually slipped the phone into his own pocket.
He turned his gaze back down to Sarah, who was still kneeling on the floor.
His eyes softened completely as he reached down to grab both of her small wrists.
He pulled her up gently until she was standing upright on her own feet again.
Sarah looked up into his intense face, her eyes wide with total confusion and shock.
Sarah: You shouldn't have said that to them, sir.
Mark: I take care of the people who work under my roof.
Sarah: They are very dangerous men who don't care about the law.
Mark: So am I when someone threatens innocent people in my home.
He wrapped his strong arms around her shoulders and pulled her into a warm embrace.
Sarah rested her forehead against his solid chest, weeping from sheer overwhelming emotional relief.
Mark: You're safe with me now. No one will touch your family.
Sarah: Thank you... thank you so much.
He held her firmly until her heavy weeping slowly turned into soft steady breathing patterns.
The large clock in the grand hallway ticked quietly as time kept moving forward rapidly.
Mark gently stepped back and looked straight into her red teary eyes with total confidence.
Mark: Go wash your face and wait for me in the main front office.
Sarah: What are you going to do now, Mr. Mark?
Mark: I am going to end this problem before the sun sets today.