Ignoring his sarcasm, Walden proceeded to show him the ransome note he’d just received some moments ago.
Damian took the letter and scanned it’s contents, his eyes analyzing over every wording carefully. He was taking so much time to do so, and Walden was beginning to get impatient…
“So??? Tell me… What did you find??”
“It’s a trap.”
Shocked. “What?”
Damian nodded confidently, “yes… These kidnappers didn’t ask for money, which makes it pretty obvious that they are out for something else besides that…”
“Which is?”
“Probably you.”
Walden shook his head, “I don’t understand…”
“This note was addressed to you to come their supposed address, alone, and they went further to ensure that you would, by asking you to come to a different territory.”
“Yes… Because they knew that my troops won’t be able to come along with me…”
“I’m very positive that this address isn’t where they are keeping Miranda nor Samara… They only want to use it to lure you for some reason…”
Something totally unrelated then dropped in Walden’s mind as he spoke.”How did you know about Samara? I never mentioned her being kidnapped..”
Such a smart one, “it’s in the note..”
“Oh… Right.”
“I also saw her on the day after my wedding trying to convince Miranda to get married to you. Miranda is also my wife, there’s nothing she doesn’t tell me… I know she’s very dear to you…”
“My close friendship with Samara is none of your concern!”
Damian shrugged. “I never mentioned any such close friendship.”
“Whatever! I so much hate arguing with you, we wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for your carelessness! I bet such a thing would have never happened to Miranda if she were with me. How could you let her slip from your fingers like that?”
“The same way you let Samara slip from yours. And besides, Samara has been missing for some time now likewise Miranda, what have you done about it?”
“I have a plan believe me, and it’s much better than what you’ve decided to do; blindly walking into another man’s territory to blame the wrong people! You’re so lucky I didn’t get you killed!” He scoffed.
“Oh really? Then please… Let me know about this “better” plan of yours.”
“Of course, I will.”
Walden then got up from his seat and led him outside the court along with a group of guards. They went down, deep to the lower grounds of pack house, leading to the dungeons, and then, the torture room. The guard outside opened the door to reveal who was in there, a bloodied up Raymond who was handcuffed to a table, nearly beaten to death.
Damian looked at the scene irritably. “What is this?”
“He’s the last person Samara was with before she disappeared. He came running to me to report her kidnapping, acting like he was innocent but I was very sure this guy had something going on with the kidnappers. I brought him here to get him to talk, but he’s refused to say anything since.”
Damian let out an empty laugh, “so, wait…. this is your big plan to save Samara and Miranda? This is all what you’ve managed to do since?”
“I AM planning on beginning other investigations Damian.”
“What other investigations? Enlighten me….”
Walden couldn’t answer. And the fact that he couldn’t answer only increased the hatred he had for Damian. He’d managed to make him look like a complete idiot in front of his men, but Damian was just getting started…
For how long has Samara been missing actually?
“Four days…” He answered reluctantly.
“Four whole days???? And you’ve managed to remain here so comfortably?”
“Do not insult me Damian. Like I said, I’m not like you who walks into unknown territories blindly, and with so little regard for his life.”
“My life means nothing now without Miranda in it. Would you be able to say the same thing for yourself?”
“I’m not like you, I do my things differently…”
“And what have you been doing differently apart from torturing and wasting so much pain on an innocent man?”
“I am thinking of something Damian, I have strategies in place to get them to be released!”
“I don’t see you doing anything. What if they kill them before you finally think of something? Huh?”
.
.
.
No answer.
“That guy knows nothing, you’ve only wasted your time on him,” he finally said, before walking out.
As he left them and went back through the dungeon halls in the direction of the court, his phone began to vibrate in his pocket. Viewing the caller to be Renard, he picked it up immediately.
“Hello?”
“Hello sire.”
“Is everything all right back there?”
“Yes sire. Operations are running smoothly and we’ve just concluded the census.”
“What’s the result? Quickly… Let me hear it.”
“We’ve counted the numbers in all the provinces, we’ve asked round all families. The guards have scouted all areas, and we have found no missing persons sire.”
“Are you sure of this information?”
“Absolutely sure sire. We left no stone unturned when during the search. No one else apart from the queen is missing.”
Damian pondered still holding the phone, going over the results carefully in his mind; if two darts with different blood samples were found, and only one person was taken away, it means that the other person is still within the silver terrain…. He knew what do then.
“Renard!”
“Yes sire?”
“We must find out who the other dart belonged to. I don’t care how you do it. Prepare DNA tests for everyone if you have to. The most important thing is that we must find out who was with Miranda that night!”
“That would take so much time sire…”
“Then take the much time you need. Keep testing until you find a match.”
“Yes sire.”
“Start with the servants. Miranda mentioned going out with one of them. Do not relent in your efforts, Renard. We’re taking more steps closer to finding her.”