Chapter 622
Before Caitlin and the others could even sei out, Zeke arrived in a rush with his men to meet them.
“Caulin
“Zeke
When Caitlin saw him, his eyes were bloodshot–he clearly hadn’t slept all night. But his spirit seemed anything but weary.
“Sorry to show up like this and complicate your plans,” he said. “Can you tell me everything?”
“Of course.”
They sat down together, and Caitlin explained what had happened the night before, how she had seen a dancer who looked strikingly like Alicia. She even sent Zeke the short video clip she had recorded.
“The footage is too dark. I can’t tell,” Zeke admitted.
“If you’d been there in person, you’d understand why I think it’s her,” Caitlin said firmly.
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Zeke’s pulse thundered in his chest. Barely able to contain himself, he said, “Then I want to go see her now. Can you take me there?”
“Yes. Today we’ll split into teams.”
They had already divided Ebonreach Isle into sectors. James and Tyler would handle one zone, Sebastian led another with King, Vaughn, and a few more men, while Caitlin would accompany Zeke in search of the woman she believed was Alicia. Zeke also had his own men join Sebastian’s group, to aid in the parallel search. for Caitlin’s mother.
There was no time to waste. They set out immediately.
Caitlin and Zeke returned to the nightclub from the previous night. In daylight it was a shell of itself–no flashing lights, no crowd, just a single older woman sweeping the floor.
“Excuse me.” Caitlin called gently, offering her a tip. The woman eyed it, pocketed the cash, then nodded.
“Do you know where the dancer named Ava lives? The one who performs here every night?”
The cleaner thought for a moment before shaking her head. “Ask the boss. Ava was hired by him.”
“Where can we find him? What’s his name?”
“Glenn. He only comes at night. You’ll have to return then.”
With no address to follow up on, Caitlin and Zeke had no choice but to leave and wait for evening. Until then, Zeke decided to join Caitlin in searching for her mother.
16:08 Tue, Sep 9 B
Teams spread out, combing their assigned zones. The task was harder than expected–Ebonreach Isle had no shortage of whitewashed buildings, and Heather bloomed everywhere. What Black Hawk had described as a “marker” now felt like a frustrating trick, for nearly every property had patches of the pink flowers,
“Tyler, we should head back. There’s nothing in this sector, James said after hours of checking
Just then. Tyler froze. “Wait. Over there.”
Through the thick green canopy, a glint of white
tile peeked out.
“James, look! White roofing,”
James raised his binoculars. Sure enough, a rooftop shimmered faintly behind the trees. “Come on. Let’s check it out.”
They drove down a winding stone road, weaving through the woods until the path opened onto an expansive private estate. It loomed high, with towering walls and a heavy gate crowned by white marble angel statues, the kind that gave the place an austere, almost sacred air.
And at the base of the walls, Heather sprawled everywhere. The pink blossoms were fading–the season nearly done–petals scattered across the ground.
James’s heart leapt. “This has to be it. Look at the Heather. This matches Black Hawk’s description exactly.”
Tyler was less certain. They had been fooled before. “Maybe. But we won’t know until we get inside.”
They hid their car in the brush, then moved in on foot.
The gates were shut tight, no guards visible outside, but surveillance cameras gleamed near the angel statues.
“Split up.” Tyler whispered. “You go around the side, look for a way in. I’ll try the front,”
James nodded and slipped into the woods.
Tyler approached openly, playing the part of a lost tourist. He knocked for several minutes before the gate creaked open, revealing a man in white clothing.
“Can I help you?” the man asked warily.
stolen. I’ve been walking for hours, I’m starving and thirsty. Coulation, but my wallet and bag were
“Please,” Tyler began, putting on a desperate tone. “I came here on
you spare me some food or water?”
The man eyed him, suspicious, but after a pause disappeared back inside. When he returned, he handed over a bottle of water and a bag of bread.
“Thank you, thank you,” “Tyler said earnestly. The gate slammed shut again.
Ten minutes later, Tyler returned and knocked once more.
The man opened it, frowning this time. “You again?”
“Sir, I’m grateful for the food. But could I stay just one night? Tomorrow I’ll be gone.”
“No.”
32 66 voliens L
As the man tried to close the door, Tyler wedged himself in the gap. “At least let me use a phone. I just need to call my family.”
“You’re becoming a nuisance,” the guard snapped.
Tyler clasped his hands together, smiling sheepishly. “Please, just this once.”
While he kept the man occupied, James had already scaled the wall at the side. Hidden among the trees inside, he studied the estate.
It wasn’t a villa at all, but a miniature fortress. Armed men in black patrolled the grounds.
James’s stomach knotted. No ordinary residence required guards with rifles.
Then his eyes caught on movement above. On a high balcony, a woman stood.
He raised his binoculars, breath caught in his throat. A middle–aged woman, her profile turned away–just enough to set his heart hammering.
She lingered only a moment before retreating inside.
James lowered the binoculars, his pulse wild. He couldn’t see her face clearly. But every instinct screamed the
truth.
It had to be her.
Their mother was here.