Zack’s eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched as he gazed at the reporters. He never liked being questioned by them, especially at a desperate time like this. What irked him more was that they were blocking his exit from the hospital. They were like annoying flies buzzing around his eyes. He motioned for them to step aside, but they were too busy throwing questions at him to understand.
His annoyance grew at their stubbornness and persistence.
“Mr. Zack Anderson, please update us on her condition.”
They kept pressing on, even though he didn’t seem to be in the mood to provide answers.
Zack stepped forward; his patience had run out. He pushed himself into the crowd, and they quickly moved out of the way for fear of him losing his temper. His anger was simmering, threatening to boil over.
“Zack Anderson, please answer…”
Some reporters behind him were insistent. They followed him to the parking deck.
Right there was his car, which made him realize Bryan must have brought it along with him and had taken a ride with… He didn’t even know how he had gone to the errand he had sent him on. But where is the car key? Bryan didn’t give him one…
As he was contemplating how to get out of the crowded hospital, a guy suddenly appeared beside him. “Bryan told me to drive you to your destination,” he said, bowing slightly.
Zack recognized him to be one of Ivy’s bodyguards. His eyes narrowing slightly as he was upset, he had an urgent meeting with the head of the security team, and one of them was right before him. He decided to save his scoldings for later.
He got into the car, and they drove off, leaving the reporters standing without answers.
They arrived at the penthouse after a half-hour drive. The guard took his position at the entrance while Zack settled on the sofa, his fingers resting on his chin while he awaited their arrival. His mind raced; the memory of Ivy on a stretcher stirred up his anger. He felt his innocent wife didn’t deserve to be in pain or in the condition she was in. It pained him he wasn’t there for her. He regretted not abandoning his work to pick her up as he usually does. Even with the money he spent to ensure her safety, she still got hurt.
The sound of the door clicking open interrupted his thoughts. He remained in his posture, his feet tapping relentlessly on the floor.
“Good evening, Mr. Anderson,” Detective Finn greeted and sank into the sofa opposite Zack. The PPO and two other guys from the security team stood behind the detective. And lastly, Bryan sat at the extreme end of the sofa, in case Zack unleashed his anger because he knew what the meeting was all about.
Zack allowed them to settle down; he remained silent for a few seconds before he began speaking in a calm tone. “What is slowing down this investigation?” He asked, but underneath his calm voice, his anger was palpable.
Detective Finn sighed; clearly, solving this case was more difficult than he initially imagined. “I’m deeply sorry for what happened to your wife…”
“That’s not the answer to my question,” Zack cut him off abruptly. He was fed up with the danger constantly nagging him. He wanted the case to end once and for all.
Detective Finn didn’t know how to properly explain the reason behind the slow progress. Zack Anderson was more of a complicated client compared to ones he had ever worked with. If he told him the perpetrators were quite smart and good at leaving no trails behind, Zack might feel he is incompetent and can be outsmarted by a criminal. “Please be patient, Mr. Anderson. We are still trying to uncover the mastermind,” he said to convince him that he was giving the case his best, but Zack wasn’t satisfied with his reply.
“Patience, is that what you want me to do? To have patience? I was patient, and now my wife is lying in the hospital undergoing surgery, my most trusted guard is dead. So what do you predict will happen next, detective…” Zack gritted his teeth, doing his best to contain his anger.
Detective Finn couldn’t respond; instead, he brought out his iPad to show him his last discovery and clues he had gathered here and there. But the issue was he hadn’t pieced them together yet. “Take a look at these photos. I’ve been trying to uncover this man’s identity; still working on it,” he said, passing him the iPad. Zack stared at the device silently. He wasn’t interested in taking a look at an unfinished investigation. He needed resolution. “I want him found before the end of this month, or I’ll give the job to someone else. Perhaps do you need another partner to join you? I’m ready to hire another detective,” Zack said sternly, his gaze steady on the detective.
Detective Finn nodded; he didn’t need Zack to repeat that his job was at stake if he didn’t meet the deadline.
Zack’s gaze shifted to the security team present, the ones he personally hired.
“How did her car get tampered with? Wasn’t it your job to protect her? Tell me how the bastard got away with it right under your noses.”
All their heads hung low; they didn’t have the guts to look at him.
“ANSWER ME!” Zack yelled; his deep voice resounded throughout the room.
Silence followed with heavy tension.
“We are sorry, sir,” one of them broke the silence. “We always double-check everything she uses, but this situation slipped off our hands. Everything happened so fast we didn’t see it coming.”
Zack had to admit that he also didn’t see it coming; he never expected the mastermind to be able to get past the security team in such a way. How did he even get into the car anyway? He massaged his temples, feeling frustrated. “You are all dismissed. As for the three of you,” he pointed at the bodyguards, “go join the others at the hospital and let nothing slip through your hands this time…” he warned, making it clear he wouldn’t tolerate any incompetence from any of them. They all left and made their way out of the room.
Bryan also stood up to leave, but Zack’s voice made him stop in his tracks. “Did I tell you to leave?”
He immediately sat back down, wondering if he was about to be scolded privately. “Triple the guards and find me another detective just in case,” Zack instructed before adding, “My vice should handle the business on my behalf. I need a lot of time off work until this case is solved.”
Bryan nodded, wanting to ask something but decided against it. But Zack already noticed he wanted to speak. “Is there a problem?”
Bryan shook his head. “N… no, sir.”
Zack wasn’t buying his answer; he was certain he had something to say. He knew him for too long not to understand him. “What is it…”
Bryan hesitated, unsure if it was the best time to break the news. But seeing how adamant his boss was, he decided to let it out.
“We lost another.”