At Oasis Mansion,
By the time Alvin returned to the mansion, it was four at dawn. He paused when he heard a car coming to a halt in front of the mansion. He looked back to see who came at that time or if Anya had been out.
Linus and Krystle shivered like withering leaves when they got out of the car. From their attire, it was clear that they were partying all night after celebrating with their families.
The couple quickly ran inside the mansion and Krystle gasped, stumbling back on her feet when her eyes fell on Alvin. "Linus!" She exclaimed looking at Alvin, "Why am I imagining your brother here?" She shivered as if a cold wind brushed her bare skin.
Pointing at Alvin, "Why does he look like he will kill me in cold blood?" She swallowed hard at her imagination. "I should get Annie to protect me."
Alvin didn't need any more words from Krystle to say how drunk she was. He didn't stop there for her, he thought if he could have a word with Linus.
Linus looked at Alvin no less astonished. The difference was he had a wide grin. Nevertheless, he didn't believe his eyes either.
He started laughing, "We are so drunk that we are seeing the same thing." Then the couple looked at each other and both burst into laughter.
Alvin: "..."
He didn't expect Linus to be so wasted. He watched the two drunkards, swaying and making their way upstairs, discussing how they were so close that they were having the same imagination.
Linus had to mentally prepare himself before going to Matthews Industries. Alvin didn't get the chance to speak with Linus the whole day. He wondered how Linus was going to take the change in plan.
The chauffeur who drove the couple to the mansion, reported to Alvin, "President Matthews, there were no suspicious activities. Mr. Collins asked to drive them here." He was keeping an eye on the two's safety the whole night, disguised as a chauffeur.
Alvin waved his hand to send the man and went upstairs. Krystle and Linus's safety is vital if Anya and he has to stay focused.
Walking in the silent hallway, he seriously wondered if Anya's sudden work pressure was linked to Casper.
Wouldn't Anya inform him if Casper has done something?
Shrugging off the thought, he entered the bedroom to see an empty bed. He checked Zane's room and Zane was alone. He couldn't help but worry that Anya might have gone out of the mansion on some mission, tricking the security.
That's when his eyes caught a sticky note on the iPad. Proceeding inside Zane's room, 'If my baby wakes up in the night and wants to see his momma, I will be in my study.'
Her carefulness for Zane always leaves him in awe. He grabbed the pencil and struck through Anya's words and wrote a different message for Zane. He went to get his wife.
…
Alvin opened the door and his eyes narrowed at the little woman who was asleep in the small space of the chair. He stepped inside to take her to their bedroom but an image of a person caught his attention.
He looked up at the screen, 'Butler?' He noticed more pictures. Casper Matthews, Ricardo Porter, Miles Johnson, the shooter who was dead. He realized Anya was working on Casper's case.
How is Miles Johnson related to Casper?
He couldn't help but look through the details, standing in the middle of the room. The call details of the shooter had several highlighted marks.
Alvin was smart to identify that the shooter had received calls from Country A, Narnia, and Country X. Further investigation led to the Country X citizen who was a mere taxi driver.
That's suspicious. Alvin continued to study the flowchart on many screens Anya had left for him. The taxi driver was in a different part of Country X and the number used under his name was in the business city.
Alvin's eyes narrowed at the location Anya had traced - The headquarters of Johnson Companies. Although there were other companies in that locality, Johnson Companies stood out.
Although anybody passing through that location might be misleading them, Alvin was suspicious of one person.
Just like Alvin, Anya doubted the same person - Miles Johnson. His call history, his company phone call history, and the secretaries' mobiles were all tracked. Out of all the numbers they contacted, one number from Narnia stood out - Ricardo Porter.
Ricardo was a fool to use the same mobile for different numbers. The IMEI number of the mobile gave Anya another number. That contact number is linked to the butler of the Matthews mansion.
Then the past and present of the butler were displayed on the screens. The butler had recently added a large sum of money to his bank account. It was so large that he couldn't even earn so much in his whole life.
After tracing the mobile history of the butler, Anya found out the butler wasn't only in contact with Ricardo Porter, he has received multiple calls from country X citizens.
Interestingly, all those numbers were activated and deactivated at the same place - The headquarters of the Johnson companies.
Alvin felt his head dizzy just by going through the complexity. He admired Anya who did the investigation and found the criminals as if she was just playing a video game of police and thief.
Alvin tried to analyze the intention of the three men. The butler of the Matthews mansion - He must have done it for money or due to a threat.
Ricardo Porter - A business competitor who wants to pull Casper and him down to stand on top.
Miles Johnson - A grudge? Did he use Casper's plan to trouble him?
He dropped a few messages to Rob. Then he carefully removed small devices from Anya's fingers but she still woke up. "A-Alvin…" Her groggy voice was strained.
Her heavy eyelids batted in difficulty to keep herself awake. She pointed at the screens around, "You should-"
Alvin cut her off, "I have checked it, Little Donut." His voice was low and soft, soothing on her ears. He scooped Anya into his arms.
After hearing him, Anya nodded and cupped his face. Her thumb caressed his cheek, drowsily looking at him, "You aren't alone in this. I'm with you." She leaned to his shoulder and dozed off in a second.
He didn't want to burden her with his work yet she warms his heart through her actions. Her murmur reached his ears and melted him instantly. "Goofball."
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m