Hang On
When they arrive at the head nurse's address, they park in a driveway of an abandoned house. They observe the surroundings, it is a lower- middle- income neighborhood. A little below her social standing for a head nurse. The woman's house is currently being renovated and there is a brand-new car in the driveway. And then they see three children running out of the yard towards a commission shop. It’s clear that they just got some money to buy sweets.
They remain in their vehicle for a while, until one of the workmen leaves the place on a scooter.
They decide to follow the man. And luckily after a few corners, the man stops at a small shop. Aziel gets out to meet the man inside the store. “Sir, can I have a word with you, please? I really have no bad intentions," he assures the man. The worker stops in his tracks, takes in Aziel's appearance and nods. “What did you want to ask me?”.
Aziel holds out a hundred dollar bill to him. “You work on the nurse's house. Is there also a black-haired woman with gray eyes there? I'm looking for my fiancé and I think she's been lured." The man looks startled. “Listen, I don't want to get in trouble. The work pays well and I have a wife and children to take care of, please" he agitates. Aziel adds two more notes. “Obviously, this stays between us. I just want to find my fiancé," he tells the man.
The money is tempting, three hundred dollars is his weekly wage. And with this extra money, he can pay off some bills. He looks again at Aziel and estimates that the man's outfit must be worth several thousand dollars. “I'll tell you everything you want to know with two more of that”, he makes a counter offer. Aziel chuckles and makes it five hundred dollars in total. When the man has the money in his pocket, he looks at Aziel. “No, the woman lives there with four children, her husband is in prison. Two months ago, she approached our company to renovate her home while on vacation with her kids," the worker said.
“Didn't see a blond guy around, then?”. The man thinks. “No, she doesn't even have any girlfriends,” he replies. Aziel sighs disappointed. "Thanks anyway, dude". When he turns to leave, the man suddenly stops him.
“I don't know if this helps. But she was on FaceTime with a guy once. I couldn't see his face on the screen. But she spoke a little loudly and I heard her say that she wished him and his betrothed a good journey on the boat. And that she was also planning a cruise in the Bay of Miami once her husband is released. What I understood from the conversation was that the man on a private yacht with his girlfriend in Miami and she had to approve a new prescription for medicine for him”.
Aziel doesn't know whether to be happy or anxious. He's glad he now has a clue where to search but is anxious about the drugs. Now they have confirmation that Danner is involved in Loraine's disappearance. But he fears that Loraine may be drugged, kept on drugs that affect her memory. He takes from his pocket another three-hundred-dollar tip for the man. This one grins happily and thanks him warmly.
In the car, he briefs Andre about the conversation. “It seems to be a plausible explanation as to why no one can find her and doesn't show herself. On a yacht she meets no acquaintances who can inform her, maybe there’s no internet there as well. And there are hundreds of ships in the Miami Bay, where he can easily stay under the radar."
“Man, this is the best thing I've heard in weeks. I could hardly stand it, that uncertainty and the fear that she is unsafe somewhere," sighs Aziel. “Danner isn't going to hurt her in any way, but he's selfish enough to drug her to the point of forgetting her past. Because Loraine would never leave Lorrich alone, her absence from the funeral isn't really something she would do either."
The men sit still for a moment to sink in everything. They decide to inform their other friends of their findings and plans. Andre owns a huge yacht that he will direct from Barbados to Miami. He will then travel with Aziel to Miami to board the yacht.
While Andre is talking to Archer and Rick, Aziel hears a beep on his phone.
When he looks at the notification bar he sees that his lawyer has sent him a message. When he opens it, he reads that the sentencing hearing will take place the following morning and that Dale, Elena and Clairy will eventually be heard before the judge makes the final decision.
Aziel is now massaging his temples.
Andre sees his movements and ends his conversations. “Aziel, what's up? You're stressed! Hang in there, we're approaching the finish line. This is the moment when you have to be really strong, man”, he encourages his friend. Aziel shakes his head wearily. “The trial will continue tomorrow morning. I have to be there. Dale, Elena and Clairy are heard then. We will have to postpone our departure.”
Hearing this message, Andre freeze. He realizes that he will see Kenjal again tomorrow. All those passing weeks he has made no overtures, he didn't want Aziel to think he was sympathizing with the other party. And Kenjal hasn't made any contact from his side either. Andre now fears that the feelings he has for Kenjal may be one-sided. Tomorrow he must adopt a professional attitude and dare to look the man emotionlessly in the face. Under no circumstances should he appear thirsty.
Suddenly a sense of loneliness washes over him. After years without a mate, he is now really ready for a new relationship. Kenjal seems perfect, from his words and the demeanor he showed on the plane everyone could see that the man is not a man whore like Dale.
He can't wait for tomorrow. When the lawsuit is settled, nothing stands in the way of him and Kenjal...
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
