Chapter 81

The drive back to Ron’s office was filled with a heavy silence, both of them lost in their own thoughts. The city streets passed by in a blur as they wrestled with the implications of what Ghost had given them. Amanda could feel the tension radiating from Ron as his grip tightened on the steering wheel.

When they finally arrived at the office, Ron parked the car and took a deep breath. “We need to see what’s on that flash drive,” he said, his voice steady but laced with unease.

Amanda nodded, following him into the building. The office was quiet, the early hour ensuring that most of the staff hadn’t arrived yet. The stillness was a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her.

Once they were inside Ron’s office, he closed the door and walked over to his desk, pulling out his laptop. He plugged in the flash drive, his jaw set in determination. Amanda stood beside him, her heart pounding as the files loaded on the screen.

As the contents of the drive came into view, they saw a series of folders, each labeled with dates and locations. Ron clicked on the first one, and the screen filled with surveillance photos, documents, and what looked like financial records.

“This is extensive,” Ron muttered, scrolling through the files. “Ghost wasn’t lying—this could be enough to nail Russell.”

Amanda leaned in closer, her eyes scanning the information. “These are recent,” she noted, pointing to one of the documents. “He’s been making moves we didn’t even know about.”

Ron frowned as he opened another folder, revealing a list of names. “These must be his contacts,” he said, his voice tense. “People who’ve been helping him stay under the radar.”

Amanda’s unease grew as she recognized a few of the names. “Some of these people… they’re powerful. If they’re backing Russell, this is bigger than we thought.”

Ron nodded, his expression grim. “We need to go through all of this carefully. If we can build a solid case, we’ll take it to the authorities. But we have to be thorough—there’s no room for error.”

They spent the next few hours meticulously combing through the files, piecing together the intricate web Russell had woven to stay hidden. The more they uncovered, the more it became clear that Ghost’s information was invaluable. But it also raised questions about Ghost’s motivations—questions that neither of them had answers to.

As the hours ticked by, Amanda felt the weight of their task pressing down on her. She could see the strain in Ron’s face, the lines of worry etched deeper as they delved further into the files. The magnitude of what they were dealing with was overwhelming, but they knew they couldn’t stop now. They were too close.

When they finally finished going through the drive, Ron leaned back in his chair, running a hand over his face. “This is enough,” he said, his voice tired but resolute. “We can take this to the police and force their hand. There’s no way they can ignore this.”

Amanda nodded, though her mind was still racing. “We need to be careful. If Russell catches wind of this before the police move in, he’ll disappear again.”

“We’ll do it smart,” Ron agreed. “We’ll go to the police, but we’ll also keep an eye on Russell ourselves. If he tries to run, we’ll be ready.”

There was a knock at the door, interrupting their conversation. Ron looked up, his expression guarded. “Come in.”

The door opened, and one of Ron’s colleagues, a sharp-eyed woman named Lisa, stepped inside. “Sorry to interrupt, but we’ve got a situation,” she said, her tone serious. “There’s been a report—someone’s asking questions about you, Ron.”

Ron’s expression darkened. “Who?”

“Don’t know yet,” Lisa replied, crossing her arms. “But it’s making waves. Someone’s trying to dig up dirt, and they’re not being subtle about it.”

Amanda felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her chest. “Could it be Russell?”

“Possibly,” Ron said, his mind clearly working through the implications. “If he’s trying to intimidate us, he’s getting desperate.”

Lisa nodded. “I thought you should know. Be careful, Ron. Whoever’s behind this isn’t playing games.”

“Thanks, Lisa,” Ron said, his tone clipped. “Keep me updated if you hear anything else.”

Lisa left the room, leaving Ron and Amanda alone again. The tension in the room was palpable as they absorbed the news. If Russell was starting to push back, it meant they were getting close—but it also meant the danger was escalating.

“What do we do now?” Amanda asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Ron stood up, his expression hardening with resolve. “We stick to the plan. We go to the police, but we stay vigilant. If Russell is trying to rattle us, we can’t afford to show any weakness.”

Amanda nodded, though the anxiety in her chest remained. “And if he tries something?”

Ron looked at her, his gaze intense. “We’ll be ready.”

As they prepared to leave for the police station, Amanda couldn’t shake the feeling that they were on the brink of something irreversible. The lines between right and wrong, between ally and enemy, were becoming increasingly blurred. But one thing was clear—they couldn’t afford to turn back now.

They left the office together, stepping into the bustling streets, the weight of their mission pressing down on them with every step. The city moved around them, indifferent to the storm brewing in their lives. But for Ron and Amanda, the next few hours could change everything. As they headed towards the police station, they knew the stakes had never been higher—and that there was no turning back.