Hours ticked by, and the once serene villa turned into a crime scene, with detectives scouring every corner, checking surveillance footage and whatnot. The staff were on high alert, cooperating with the team in any way they could.
After what seemed like forever in their investigation, the detectives strode into the living room where Zack and Ivy were waiting.
Ivy silently observed the expressions on the men’s faces, especially Finn’s. There was a hint of frustration on his face as he sauntered towards them. Callus, on the other hand, was emotionless, scrolling through his iPad with all seriousness.
“So, how did it go?” Ivy asked, snapping Callus’s focus towards her.
Callus put away the device, letting out a silent sigh. “She is very stubborn, but she will speak up with time.”
Ivy rolled her eyes, her back slumping on the sofa. “Just as I expected; she made it clear she wouldn’t say a thing.”
“Like I said, it will only take some time… eventually she will say something…” Callus replied, his assuring gaze fixed on Ivy as he sensed her frustration.
“All the footage I placed around the villa was tampered with again,” Finn chimed in, his frustration palpable. “The perpetrator seems to have remarkable hacking skills…”
Callus, who looked to be in deep thought seconds ago, clicked his fingers, his thoughts crystallizing. “Stella might not be the only betrayer among the staff…”
Finn quickly glanced at his partner, his brow furrowing. “How do you mean? There was no clue pointing towards any of the other staff…”
The couple exchanged glances before returning their gaze to Callus, who continued explaining.
“There were multiple events that took place only this morning. How do you imagine Stella being the only one pulling everything off?” Callus trailed off, shooting out of the sofa and began pacing around the room, his mind racing with connections and theories. “Manipulating the socket and not long after, Emelia drowning in the pool… this all happened in a short span of time, don’t you think?”
Finn pondered for a while, slowly processing his theories. “I think you’re right; the time interval is too short. It seems when Stella was busy confronting Emelia, someone else was messing with the socket…”
Ivy silently observed the detectives, her arms crossed and her expression unreadable, as they tossed around multiple theories. Her eyes were fixed on some point beyond the room, as if her mind was a thousand miles away. The detectives’ voices rose and fell, a symphony of suspicion and intrigue, but Ivy’s gaze remained steady, her thoughts hidden behind a mask of serenity.
“So, which line of staff do you suspect?” Zack asked, his fingers on his chin as he nonchalantly stared at Callus before adding, “Guards? Maids? Or perhaps police officers? Because I don’t see why the perpetrator keeps getting away despite all the safety precautions put in place.”
“That’s my point,” Callus replied, sitting back down. “Despite all efforts put into this investigation, it ends up futile, so…”
“Wait,” Finn cut him off, his brow knitting. “Are you implying the police might be involved?”
Callus went silent for a brief moment before responding. “Maybe… with the mastermind’s constant getaway, it proves he has a lot of backing and resources to cover his trails…”
“Okay, okay, I’ve heard enough…” Ivy finally spoke up, her voice laced with exasperation, her words dripping with quiet intensity. “I’ve listened to your theories, your suspicions, your maybes… But I still don’t know who’s behind this or why. But one thing is certain: he or she is coming for my head; they want me dead, and time is running out…”
Finn’s gaze fell to the floor, trying to come up with some assurance. Meanwhile, Callus, who seemed more optimistic, clasped his palms together, nodding affirmatively. “I understand it’s distressing to have an assassin after you, especially if it’s the cunning type…”
“Oh, please don’t comfort me,” Ivy cut him off, waving her hand to silence him. “I know you have all tried your best in this case, done everything you could, and you’re ready to do more, but I have a suggestion…” She said, her gaze fixed on both detectives.
Callus adjusted in his seat with curiosity brewing within him. “What kind of suggestion….”
Ivy glanced at Zack as if making an unspoken request. Zack responded with a nod, letting her lead the discussion as they had agreed.
“I want to fish out the culprit from my list suspects. Remember what you asked me about Jake Black when you visited the hospital after my abduction?” Ivy referred to Finn, who thought for a moment before replying.
“Yes, I remember. He was a suspect. I monitored him for quite some time, but no evidence pointed to him, and he was also relieved of his previous charges.”
Ivy sighed. “Let me explain this real slow.” She went on relaying all her conjectures and how she planned on fishing out the culprit.
The detectives, upon hearing her decision to intervene in the issue, outlined the cons and pros regarding her plan.
“It is risky in a way but I think we can pull it off only if we are certain the people you speak of are really the culprits,” Finn said while Callus concurred.
“And there is a better way to make this work.”
A wide smile spread on Ivy’s face. Finally, she was taking a step closer to the finish line; she could only hope it turned out as planned with no obstruction along the way.
“So, can we start tomorrow?” she asked, determination coursing through her. She wanted the issue to end as soon as possible.
“If you want… we will make the necessary preparations today so as to execute your plan immediately,” Callus replied, glancing at Finn, whose face blazed with newfound determination.
“Yes, it’s better that way. Undermining it’s a risk in many ways, it’s worth the trial…” Finn paused before asking, “So, who should we start with?”
Ivy’s face shifted to a more serious expression as she took out her phone from the table. “The one who tried to drug me before. Let’s start with her. I’ll make the phone call …”
She dialed a number, and after a few seconds, the line went through. A low, smooth voice sounded from the other end.
“How have you b…”
“Cut the pleasantries, Sis,” Ivy quickly interrupted her. Her face scrunched up as she got straight to the point. “Let’s meet up, just you and me… alone. I’ll send you the location…”