Chapter 583
The torchlight cast flickering shadows, lighting up the dark courtyard.
When Sheldon saw the armed men storm in, heard them talk about searching for a woman, he knew immediately–they were after Caitlin.
But she had just saved his wife’s life and delivered his child. There was no way he’d let them take her without a word. He stepped forward to block them. “Stop right there! What do you think you’re doing?”
“Sheldon, that woman Caitlin attacked Ula, disguised herself as her to escape, and killed the cook! The boss ordered us to bring her back immediately!” the patrol leader reported.
Inside, Caitlin heard
every word. She knew they had discovered her escape and were coming for her.
She scanned the room for another way out. The only option was the window.
Outside, Sheldon kept arguing. “If she’s escaped, then go after her! Why are you in my yard? Do you even realize my wife is in there giving birth right now? Idiots!”
A newborn’s cry echoed from inside, but the patrol leader stood firm. “We know about the birth, but
someone swears they saw that woman come in here. Orders are orders, Sheldon. No offense.”
They tried to push past him, but he blocked them again. “So the boss’s orders are orders, but mine
aren’t?”
Just then, a shout came from the side. “There! She’s climbing out the window!”
“After her!”
The men broke off and chased her. Caitlin ran until a massive boulder cut off her path.
The patrol closed in, surrounding her.
The torches lit every face clearly now. She was wearing Ula’s clothes, but her beauty was far beyond
Ula’s.
“Where do you think you can run? This island is far beyond any national waters. Even if you could swim, you wouldn’t make it. We have men everywhere. You’ll never get away.”
Noticing the curved blade in her hand, the leader gave a mocking laugh. “I’d advise you to come quietly. Our bullets don’t discriminate.”
Outnumbered and outgunned, Caitlin lowered her weapon and allowed herself to be taken.
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“Bring her back!”
Bound, she was dragged before Raze.
Sheldon, watching her marched away, hesitated–then decided he needed to follow. He didn’t have to make the choice; the patrol leader came for him. “Sheldon, since the fugitive came from your yard, the boss wants you to explain yourself in person.”
“I’ll make it clear,” Sheldon replied grimly.
The council hall was ablaze with lamplight, Raze seated at the head.
The patrol reported, “Boss, we’ve recaptured the woman.”
“Bring her forward.”
His expression was hard, simmering with anger.
When Caitlin was shoved in, still dressed as Ula, he sneered. “I knew you were clever. Didn’t think you were this clever. Do you even realize what you’ve done?”
“I don’t,” she shot back.
Raze gestured, and the real Ula was dragged in, forced to her knees, weeping. “Boss, please! I didn’t do anything, I swear! I knew nothing about this!”
“You knew nothing? Then how did you swap clothes with her? How did she get out unless you were helping her? You know what happens to those who betray me!”
“I didn’t! I just brought her food as usual. I didn’t betray you…” Ula sobbed.
“Take her out and cut her down.”
His cruelty was plain in moments like this. Hearing her death sentence, Ula wailed in terror.
Caitlin couldn’t stand it. “Let her go! She had nothing to do with this, I attacked her when she brought my food, stole her clothes, and escaped. She’s innocent.”
Raze studied her, then waved for his men to release Ula. The woman stumbled away, her emotions a
storm.
“Good,” he said coldly. He motioned, and the cook’s corpse was brought in. “And him? Did you kill him
too?”
“That’s right. He mistook me for Ula and tried to put his hands on me. I dealt with him. He got what he
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deserved.”
“Good. Very good. You’ve got guts.”
He turned to his men. “Where’s Sheldon? Bring him here.”
“Sheldon’s here!”
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When Sheldon entered, Raze glared. “This woman was found in your yard. Explain yourself. Were you trying to help her escape Crescent Island?”
“I had no idea she was there,” Sheldon answered. “My wife was in labor. I rushed home and didn’t even look twice. I thought the one helping with the birth was Ula. She had on Ula’s clothes–I didn’t suspect a thing.”
Raze trusted no one. This interrogation was to see if Ula and Sheldon were in on it. Satisfied they weren’t, his anger cooled–slightly.
“Fine. Then today’s events are Caitlin’s alone. But for the sake of my plan, I won’t risk her slipping away again. Lock her in the water cage.”
It was a brutal punishment. The cage was submerged, damp, crawling with snakes, rats, and
venomous insects.
As they moved to take her, Sheldon spoke–up. “Let me say something. The water cage is filthy and swarming with vermin. If something happens to her, your plan could be ruined.”
Raze’s eyes narrowed. “You’re pleading for her? What is she to you?”
“She’s nothing to me,” Sheldon replied, stepping forward. “But just now, when my wife was dying from a difficult birth, Caitlin saved her–and my child.
“She owed me nothing, yet she gave up her chance to escape to save them. I can’t stand by and watch
her be thrown to her death.
“I’m not challenging your authority. I’m saying that when we men pursue great ambitions, we shouldn’t drag family and children into it. The innocent should never pay the price.”
Silence fell.
Everyone in the hall was stunned–Sheldon was openly defending a fugitive. Did he not care if he provoked the boss?
Around them, the men could see the storm gathering in Raze’s expression. His anger was a living
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thing, building toward an inevitable explosion.
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