Chapter 144 Lost the Trail
Matthew left the hospital and tried calling Mary, but the call dropped almost immediately.
He frowned in frustration. Their relationship was progressing, but still fragile, and Laura's sudden incident had shattered it completely.
Matthew had never felt this agitated before. He tugged at his tie, trying to ease the tightness in his chest, but it didn't work.
Sitting in his car, he lit a cigarette, the blue smoke curling around him as he squinted into the distance.
Just then, his phone buzzed. He grabbed it, hoping it was Mary, but it was a message from Maria.
Maria: [Found Roy Brooks.]
Matthew: [Send me the location.]
Maria: [Nope.]
Matthew: [?]
Maria: [Just feeling rebellious.]
Matthew: [Fine, stay rebellious in Pacifica forever. Don't come back.]
Maria: [Sorry, boss. Sending it now.]
Matthew quickly received Roy's location, which was in a rundown area on the city's outskirts, far from where Matthew was. He called Sam and told him to bring his men.
Night fell, and the slum area was dimly lit, with only a few streetlights scattered along the road and hardly a few souls out on the street.
Sam's car stopped at the narrow entrance. He got out with his team and headed inside.
The corridors were shabby, with dozens of households on each floor. Sam led the group to a door and knocked.
"Who's there?" A man's voice came from inside.
"Plumber here," Sam said in a low voice.
It fell silent. After five minutes with no response, Sam's face darkened. He kicked the door open.
The room was empty, and the window was open. As Sam approached, he saw a figure running away.
"Get him!" Sam muttered.
Meanwhile, Matthew waited in his car at the intersection. Half an hour later, Sam returned, sweating. "Mr. Montagu, he got away."
Matthew's eyes were cold. "You had him cornered. How did he escape?"
Sam looked down. "The window. He knows the area; our men couldn't catch him."
"You're useless. Maybe you should go to Pacifica," Matthew suggested.
Sam perked up. "I'll find him, Mr. Montagu!" With that, he turned and left.
Matthew's face darkened. He glanced at his phone.
While waiting for Sam, he called Mary several times, but she kept hanging up.
His mood soured. He started the car and drove to the No. 9 Club.
Herman was almost a regular there. He walked into a private room with a beautiful girl but paused when he saw Matthew sitting on the sofa, hidden in the shadows.
"Matthew, you're here. Why so quiet?" Herman glanced at the girl. "You should go; I'll call you later."
The girl hesitated but left.
Herman sat next to Matthew, noticing his gloomy face. "What's up? Did your wife kick you out?"
Matthew remained silent, pouring himself a drink.
