Chapter Forty Five: Finding The Right Answer

Morning finally came, and with it, a new sense of purpose for Amelia. She had barely slept, her mind whirling with the events of the previous night. The confrontation with Maxwell, the sight of the tattoo, and the looming question of what it all meant. She was still replaying everything in her mind when she heard a knock at her door.

Rubbing her eyes, she glanced at the clock. It was barely dawn. She stumbled out of bed and made her way to the door, opening it to find Jonah standing there, looking equally sleep-deprived but resolute.

"Morning," he said, his voice rough with fatigue. "We need to talk."

Amelia nodded, stepping aside to let him in. They moved to the small kitchen table, where she started brewing a pot of coffee. The rich aroma filled the room, providing a small comfort amidst the chaos of their thoughts.

"Did you sleep at all?" Jonah asked, concern lacing his voice.

"Not much," she admitted. "Too much on my mind."

"Same here." He ran a hand through his hair, looking more determined than she had ever seen him. "We need to figure out our next move. Maxwell knows we're onto him, and he won't hesitate to act if he feels threatened."

Amelia poured them both a cup of coffee and sat down, wrapping her hands around the warm mug. "I got a clear look at his tattoo last night. It's real. But I have no idea what it means."

Jonah nodded, taking a sip of his coffee. "We'll figure it out. But first, we need to decide how to keep an eye on Maxwell without tipping him off. We can't afford any mistakes."

"I agree," Amelia said. "But how do we do that? Maxwell is incredibly observant. He'll notice if we're watching him too closely."

Jonah leaned forward, his expression serious. "I'll handle that. I'll keep tabs on him, follow him discreetly. You need to go back to work and act like everything's fine. If he sees you behaving normally, he might lower his guard."

Amelia hesitated. "But Jonah, what if he catches you? He's dangerous."

"I know," Jonah said, his voice steady. "But we don't have a choice. We need to know what he's up to, and this is the only way. Trust me, I'll be careful."

Amelia took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "Alright. But promise me you'll be careful. I don't want anything happening to you."

Jonah reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "I promise. We'll get through this, Amelia. We just need to stay focused."

They sat in silence for a moment, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on them. Finally, Amelia stood up, determined to face the day ahead. "I'll get ready for work. We need to act normal, like you said."

Jonah nodded, watching her with a mixture of admiration and concern. "I'll start following Maxwell today. I'll keep you updated on everything I find."

The hospital was buzzing with activity when Amelia arrived. She forced herself to smile and greet her colleagues as if everything was normal. The routine helped to calm her nerves, and she found solace in the familiar rhythm of her work.

As the day went on, she couldn't help but glance at her phone, waiting for updates from Jonah. Each time it buzzed, her heart leapt, hoping for news. But the hours dragged on with no word from him.

Meanwhile, Jonah had his own challenges to face. Following Maxwell without being noticed was no easy task. He kept a safe distance, blending into the background as best he could. Maxwell moved through his day with the confidence of a man who believed he was untouchable, making rounds at the hospital and holding meetings with staff.

Jonah noted every detail, trying to piece together Maxwell's routine. He followed him discreetly, using his knowledge of the hospital's layout to his advantage. But as the day wore on, he realized that keeping tabs on Maxwell would be a long-term effort. There were no immediate clues, no sudden revelations.

Back at the hospital, Amelia did her best to focus on her patients. She forced herself to engage in conversations, to smile and nod at the right moments. But her mind was always half a step ahead, worrying about Jonah and the missing baby.

It wasn't until late afternoon that her phone buzzed with a message from Jonah. She excused herself and quickly read it in the privacy of her office.

*No major developments yet. Maxwell's routine is pretty standard so far. Will keep you posted.*

Amelia sighed, both relieved and frustrated. At least Jonah was safe, for now. She texted back a quick reply, encouraging him to stay vigilant and careful.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. Amelia went through the motions, finishing her shift and making her way home. The weight of uncertainty hung over her, but she knew they had to remain focused.

The next few days followed a similar pattern. Jonah continued his surveillance, keeping a meticulous record of Maxwell's movements. Amelia went to work, maintaining the facade of normalcy while her mind churned with worry and questions.

Their conversations were brief and coded, always aware of the possibility of being overheard. Each night, they would meet in secret to discuss Jonah's findings and plan their next steps.

One evening, Jonah arrived with a new piece of information. "I noticed something today," he said, his voice hushed. "Maxwell met with a man I didn't recognize. They talked for a while, then exchanged something. I couldn't see what it was."

Amelia's heart raced. "Do you think it was related to the baby?"

"Possibly," Jonah replied. "We need to find out who that man is. He might have information we need."

"How do we do that?" Amelia asked, feeling a glimmer of hope.

Jonah thought for a moment. "I'll try to track him down. See if he's connected to Maxwell in any way. It might take some time, but it's a lead."

Amelia nodded, grateful for Jonah's determination. "Be careful. We can't afford any mistakes."

"I will," Jonah assured her. "We'll get to the bottom of this, Amelia. I promise."

Days turned into weeks, and the tension between Maxwell and Amelia continued to simmer beneath the surface. She kept up her facade, pretending everything was normal while Jonah's investigation progressed slowly but steadily.

One evening, as they sat in Amelia's apartment, Jonah shared his latest findings. "I managed to track down the man Maxwell met. His name is Eric, and he's got a shady background. Lots of connections to underground activities."

Amelia's eyes widened. "Do you think he's involved in the baby's disappearance?"

"It's possible," Jonah said. "But we need more information. I think we should try to get close to him, see what we can find out."

"How do we do that?" Amelia asked, feeling a mix of excitement and fear.

Jonah hesitated. "I'll try to approach him, see if I can gain his trust. It's risky, but we need answers."

Amelia's heart ached with worry. "Please be careful, Jonah. I can't lose you."

"I'll be careful," he promised. "We'll find the baby, Amelia. No matter what it takes."