Chapter 17 Missing Over 48 Hours
“Forget it; you don’t deserve it anyway,” Marcus said as he shook off my arm and turned to leave,
It was just another of Marcus’s tantrums: therefore, I ignored him.
I walked into my bedroom and started to pack the things I needed for my trip abroad.
Just two mouths, that’s all. It would pass quickly.
Soon, I’d be free.
+8 Pearls
Back then, I naively believed that everything would be over once I left the country.
I never imagined I would still die at Marcus hands.
Ironically, I guessed it was my fate.
Marcus saved my life, and he was also the one who would end it.
In the end, we were square.
The rumbling thunder jolted me back to reality.
I slapped myself. When I felt no pain, I remembered I was already dead.
Alas, I have found freedom from a life filled with suffering and agony.
The cops had arrived, and they took the unconscious Stephen away.
The ambulance also took Lance away.
“Mr. Flynn, any news about your sister?” asked Zeke as he stepped out of the police car.
Marcus frowned and said, “She can’t hide for long.”
Zeke said nothing but bent down to pick up a photo from the ground.
It was the picture Marcus showed Stephen–the ID photo I had prepared for studying abroad.
Zeke stared at the photo of me and was lost in thought. He frowned as if he were trying to recall something
We had met before; he probably remembered that
“Was your sister assaulted outside Nightfall Bar two months ago?” Zeke was a detective, and he had a good memory.
As if recalling, Marcus hesitated for a moment before he acknowledged, “Yes, that did happen.”
Zeke looked up at Marcus and said. “Your family is prominent in Baytown. Your sister wouldn’t need to resort to selling her body, would she?”
Marcus’s expression darkened, and he rebuked, “Officer Palmer, Madeline isn’t that kind of person.”
I chuckled ironically. This man wasn’t defending my honour, but rather his family’s reputation.
“Sorry, Imisunderstood.” Zeke shook the photo and said, “This photo is clearer than the ones you gave me. I’ll take it. If there’s any news about your sister, I’ll let you know.”
Marcus got into his car and left. Zeke spoke sternly to his colleague, “Investigate the assault case at Nightfall Bar from two months ago. See if it’s connected to our case.”
Do you suspect that Madeline was targeted?”
Chapter 17 Missing Over 48 Hours
+8 Pearls
Zeke nodded and said, “Indeed, the victims were women who frequented Nightfall, living chaotic and indulgent lives”
I followed Zeke in silence.
Whatever I said, he couldn’t hear.
All I could do was pray that he quickly uncovered the truth and brought the killer to justice.
“Zeke!” An officer rushed from their car near the abandoned orphanage and exclaimed, “I’ve discovered the relationship between Madeline and Marcus. You’re right, they aren’t biologically related, Madeline was adopted by the Flynns and is engaged to Marcus.”
Zeke frowned, surprised by the complexity of my relationship with Marcus.
“Marcus’s girlfriend is a woman named Bella White. He insists on breaking off his engagement to Madeline to marry Bella.”
I had to admit, the police worked efficiently. They discovered all this so quickly.
As I watched everything from the side, I felt surprisingly calm.
“Marcus’s buddies said that before Madeline disappeared, Bella had been targeted by the killer near Nightfall on her way home. Afraid of retaliation, Bella didn’t report it but instead had Madeline go to that alley near Nightfall in her place. The officer became enraged as he revealed these details.
Anyone would find this absurd, but Marcus had forced me to do it. Moreover, he promised to protect me.
Laughing bitterly, 1 now recognised the irony of my death as an outsider, listening to the analysis of my life.
Zeke’s expression hardened as he glanced at his watch. He said, “Madeline has been missing for over 48 hours. We need to form a special task force, apply for a warrant, and bring in Marcus and his foolish friends. Leave no one out!”
I looked up sharply, stunned, Zeke was going to arrest Marcus? He suspected Marcus of killing me.
“It’s not Marcus; it’s Stephen, I desperately tried to explain to the police. I wasn’t trying to clear Marcus’s name, but I was concerned that the killer would continue to harm others.
