Chapter 50

Latham finished up his work and rubbed his temples. “Are there any flights tonight p>

His assistant hesitated. “Mr. Stephens, you want to head back tonight? There’s a flight at 11:30, but isn’t that a little late p>

By the time he landed, it would already be past midnight.

Latham glanced at the message he’d sent, still unread. Something in his gut told him he needed to get home, fast.

“Change my ticket. 11:30 is fine p>

“Yes, Mr. Stephens,” the assistant replied quickly.

Latham slipped on his coat, grabbed his phone, and walked out to the parking lot. He wondered if Dorothea was sleeping well in the house without him there. The thought tugged a small, barely-there smile to his lips.

But when he finally got home at three thirty in the morning, he was greeted by nothing but emptiness. His frown deepened. Dorothea’s bedroom door stood open, the bed untouched.

He stared at his phone. The last message he’d sent her was at nine thirty the night before. Where could she have gone?

It was too late to wake Linda, so he let her sleep. When Linda finally got up and came to make breakfast, she found Latham sitting on the sofa.

“Latham, weren’t you on a business trip?” she asked, surprised.

His voice came out rough. “Where’s Dorothea? Did she come back for dinner last night p>

Linda hesitated. “She told me in the afternoon not to make dinner for her, that she wouldn’t be eating here. She’s not home? She didn’t come back all night p>

Linda fell silent when she noticed his darkening expression.

Latham grabbed his car keys and headed straight to Dorothea’s apartment. He figured maybe she’d gone back there for the night.

But when he stood outside her door, no matter how many times he called or rang the bell, there was no answer.

He went to the security office and checked the surveillance footage, only to find out Dorothea hadn’t come back at all the day before.

Now he was really worried. Her phone, which had been ringing earlier, was suddenly switched off.

Without hesitating, Latham called Wade. Wade answered, half asleep.

“Latham, it’s seven in the morning. Why are you calling me p>

“I need your cousin’s number. It’s urgent p>

Wade’s cousin, Pearson, was the youngest bureau chief. Wade realized this was serious.

“I’ll send it to you right now p>

Fifteen minutes later, Latham had tracked Dorothea’s car to its last location: The Brown Estate.

He knew Dorothea. She would never stay overnight at her stepfather’s place.

Dorothea had no idea how long she’d been out. Her throat felt raw and tight, like someone had tried to choke the sound out of her.

A thin sliver of light crept in through the cracks of the attic’s wooden walls. She guessed it was already the next morning.

She dragged herself to the door and started knocking, slow and weak She barely had any strength left, but wasn

sitting here in silence wasn’t an

option. Maybe, just maybe, someone would hear her.

She didn’t even know how many times she knocked, her whole body shaking and drained. Finally, she

one that sounded familar

heard a man’s voice from

“Dorothea? Dorothea, are you in there p>

She cracked open her eyes and kicked at the door, letting him know she was inside.

“Dorothea, is that you? If you’re here, knock twice p>

She managed to do it, though her hands trembled.

Latham spoke again, voice steady.

“Alright, move back. I’m going to net

break

e door down. Be careful, I

want.you get hurt

Dorothea pushed herself back, her voice barely a whisper. “Ready p>

With a heavy crash, the old wooden door flew open. Light spilled into the dim little

room.

Latham rushed inside and saw her collapsed on the floor, lips pale. He knelt down, scooping her into his arms.

“It’s okay. You’re safe now. I’m here p>