Chapter 41
Chapter 41
The next day, Jessica officially started at her new kindergarten.
Coincidentally, it was also the day Cleo and Maxine had agreed on–when Cleo would tell her the results of the investigation into Nathan’s identity.
Maxine didn’t rush Cleo. She waited until that evening, after picking Jessica up from school, when her phone finally rang
The two met at Maxine’s place. Maxine led Cleo into the study, barely able to wait. “So? What did you find?”
Cleo looked more exhausted than she had three days ago. Before saying a word, she lit a cigarette and pulled a thick erivelope from her bag, handing it
over.
The envelope was stuffed full. Maxine opened it–inside were nothing but photos of Nathan.
Flipping through them one by one, Maxine couldn’t find anything useful. Frustration kicked in. She asked, “Do these… mean anything?”
Cleo’s eyes were dull with fatigue. “They don’t mean a thing. This is everything I got after three straight days of digging. Nathan’s like a ghost. Couldn’t find a single solid lead.”
As she spoke, Cleo pointed at one of the pictures. She continued, “That one. Some students took it when he was teaching art at an adult center.
“It’s the only halfway useful one. But when I went to check out the place yesterday, it was already deserted.”
Maxine frowned, rubbing her temple as she kept looking through the stack. Her fingers stopped on one photo that looked pretty ordinary at first glance.
“This one…” Hesitation crept into Maxine’s voice. “He looks like he’s going somewhere. Where did you get this?”
Cleo glanced over without much interest. She replied, “Oh, that one came from a street cam. I had someone pull all surveillance footage within five kilometers of Ivanna’s old apartment, then got a specialist to clean them up. A bunch of these came from that.”
The way Cleo investigated felt more like something out of a crime drama. But Maxine had no time to be amazed. She brought the photo closer, examining every detail. Then she caught something.
Maxine said, “Look at his right hand–doesn’t it look like he’s holding something? Maybe one of those folders they use for ultrasound scans?”
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Cleo immediately leaned in, staring at it for a good while. “Damn… it kinda does! But I can’t tell which hospital it’s from.”
Maxine’s eyes lit up. “That shouldn’t be too hard! You already checked cams within five kilometers. If we just go through the hospitals in that area, maybe we’ll find a medical record on Nathan or someone connected to him. That would be a solid lead!”
Cleo frowned, thinking it through. “That could work. But I’m worried someone’s already wiped his tracks. If that’s the case, even hospital records might be gone. What if we still come up empty–handed?”
Maxine replied firmly, “Even if it’s just a thread, it’s something. We can follow it. I believe we’ll find something eventually. And you don’t need to get involved anymore. Your job puts you in the spotlight–if you’re seen at too many hospitals, it could cause trouble. I’ll take it from here.”
Maxine and Cleo had known each other for over a decade. There was no need to argue over something like this.
Cleo nodded. “Alright. If you need anything, just let me know.“.
After Cleo left, Maxine immediately made a phone call.
The other side picked up fast. The guy’s voice was smooth and a little groggy, but laced with curiosity. “Well, well, my favorite junior. What’s the occasion? Calling me this late at night… sounds kind of flirty, huh?”
Maxine laughed, shaking her head. “Lucas, don’t tease me. I actually need your help with something.”
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Chapter 41
“What is it?” Lucas teased again. “Don’t tell me you and Sebastian didn’t go through with the divorce and now you’re calling to ask for poison to off, yout husband. Gotta warn you, I don’t do illegal stuff!”
AD
