บททั้งหมดของ THE WRONG BROTHER : บทที่ 131 - บทที่ 140

Charlotte "And did you? Lose them?"Rhys hesitates. "Not exactly."Sullivan looks up. "What does that mean?""I stopped the car," Rhys says. "Blocked them in. Got out and confronted the driver."The room goes very quiet.Sullivan sets his pen down slowly. "You confronted them.""Yes."Sullivan leans back in his chair, studying Rhys. "Walk me through exactly what happened. Don't leave anything out."Rhys does. He tells Sullivan about everything that happened. I watch Sullivan's face the entire time. He doesn't interrupt. Doesn't react. Just listens.When Rhys finishes, Sullivan is quiet for a long moment."Did you remove the mask?" he asks finally."Yes.""And did you recognize him?""Yes. I've seen him around Kevin a few times.""Can you identify him by name?""I don't know his name. But I'd recognize his face."Sullivan makes more notes. "And after the altercation, what happened?""We left immediately.""Did you call the police?""No.""Did he?""I don't know."Sullivan taps his pen

Charlotte I was in a hurry to get to my daughter's house." Mrs. Patterson's smile fades. "Is something wrong?""I don't know. She didn't come back last night. And I can't reach her.""Oh my." Mrs. Patterson puts a hand to her chest. "That's not like Greta at all.""I know." My voice is tight. "If you see her, or if you remember anything else, please call me.""Of course, dear. Of course."I thank her and move away, my mind racing.I pull out my phone and open my photos, finding a recent picture of my mom, one from last month when we went to lunch together. She's smiling at the camera, her hair pulled back, wearing that light blue cardigan she loves.I approach a man walking past, maybe in his forties, wearing a business suit and carrying a briefcase."Excuse me," I say, holding up my phone. "I'm sorry to bother you, but have you seen this woman? She's my mother. She's been missing since yesterday evening."The man stops and looks at the photo, squinting slightly. "Sorry, no. I don't

Charlotte The security's eyes widen slightly as he recognizes us. "I'm sorry, but you can't...""We're here to see the Anders family," I repeat, my voice harder this time."They're not expecting you." His hand moves to the radio clipped to his belt. "You need to leave.""Call them," Rhys says.The security's jaw tightens. "Ms. Hayes, Mr. Van Allen, I'm going to have to ask you to leave the premises. The family has made it clear that you're not welcome here.""My mother is missing," I say, stepping closer to him. "And I'm not leaving until I speak with them.""Ma'am, I can't let you..."I push past him."Hey!" The security reaches for my arm, but Rhys steps between us."Don't touch her," Rhys warns, with his voice low as he tries to push the security backwards. Behind me, I hear the guard speaking urgently into his radio, but I don't stop. My heels click against the marble floor as I stride down the hallway, Rhys close behind me."Charlotte," he says quietly. "Are you sure about this

Charlotte I wake up to the incessant buzzing of my phone.My eyes feel heavy, crusted with dried tears. My head pounds with a dull, persistent ache. For a moment, I don't remember why everything hurts. I reach for my phone on the nightstand, squinting at the bright screen. The time reads 6:47 AM.My notifications are flooded. Texts. Emails. News alerts.What the hell?Beside me, Rhys is still asleep, his arm draped across the pillow where my head had been. His face is peaceful, in a way it never is when he's awake.I sit up slowly, careful not to wake him, and unlock my phone.The first notification is from a news app: BREAKING: Anders Corp Warehouse Burns Down in Suspected Arson.I click on it.The article loads with a photo of flames consuming a large industrial building. Firefighters spray water from multiple hoses, but the fire is clearly out of control. Black smoke billows into the early morning sky.One of Anders Corporation's major distribution warehouses was engulfed in flame

Rhys"So she was taken. Forcibly.""That's what the evidence suggests, yes." Detective Sarah meets my eyes. "Mr. Van Allen, I need to ask you something. And I need you to be completely honest with me.""Of course.""Do you know anything about a warehouse fire that occurred last night? One belonging to Anders Corporation?""I saw the news this morning. Why?""Because Michael Anders was released on bail two days ago. And this morning, he filed a complaint claiming you were responsible for the arson.""That's absurd.""Is it?" Her gaze is penetrating."Detective, I didn't burn down that warehouse." I lean forward. "And frankly, I'm insulted that you'd come here asking me about a building when Charlotte's mother is missing.""I understand your frustration, Mr. Van Allen. But I have to follow every lead, and right now, Michael Anders is making some very serious accusations."I lean back in my chair, forcing myself to think clearly. "You said Michael was released on bail two days ago?""Tha