Feeling uneasy, Nathan chose not to answer Kysonâs incoming call.
Instead, he sent him a text message.
His message read, âIâm tied up right now.
Look after the kids for me.
Donât bring them home; just let them stay overnight at the Laboratory.
Send Sonny to N&L Fairy Land to pick up some clothes for them.
Also, could you arrange for Destinee to take a Leave from kindergarten? The laboratory is the safest place for them right now.
â
Despite his fingers trembling slightly, Nathan managed to steady himself and typed the message to Kyson.
Almost instantly, just as Nathan was about to put his phone away, a new text message arrived.
Kyson asked, âWhere is Lucinda? Arenât you coming back to see Colby and Destinee today?â
Nathan read his first question repeatedly, his eyes reddening from the rain.
He took a deep breath and responded, âSheâs alright.
Sheâs working on the case with me.
Stastle isnât safe right now.
Iâll leave the kids in your care.
â
After sending the text, Nathan turned off his phone, seeking tranquility.
With Colby and Destinee secure in the laboratory, his immediate concern was to find Lucinda.
.
.
Library
He couldnât relax until he knew Lucinda was safe.
Nathan left the valley in the downpour and hailed a taxi to the National Security Bureau.
Shortly afterward, Lonnie also returned to the Bureau.
The tow truck had already brought Lucindaâs badly damaged car.
Though the exterior was wrecked, the carâs interior remained largely intact.
Upon examination, the experts discovered various fingerprints on the back seats.
âMr.
Payne, before Mrs.
Payneâs car was damaged, someone else was seated in the back.
Weâve confirmed the mobile phone we found isnât hers.
Her phone is still missing.
Moreover, thereâs no evidence of a struggle in the car, nor any dangerous weapons present.
â
Lonnie presented the findings to Nathan and said, âIâve reviewed the surveillance footage around the accident site.
Mrs.
Payneâs car went off the road in a blind spot, so we canât determine what led to the accident.
â
With a grave expression, Nathan perused the printed surveillance images.
As he examined the fourth photo, Lonnie added, âIâve checked all the footage from when Mrs.
Payne left the Simmons Group to the accident.
She was alone when she exited the underground garage.
However, after Mrs.
Payne stopped at the bridge for a few minutes, the footage suggests that a person was seated in her car.
From the personâs figure, it seemed to be a man.
â
Nathan examined the enlarged photos and shook his head with conviction.
âIt couldnât be a man.
Lucinda is always alert.
She wouldnât stop for a man who looked threatening.
â
Moreover, knowing Nathanâs tendency for jealousy, Lucinda always kept a respectful distance from other men.
She wouldnât have allowed an unfamiliar man into her cherished car.
The person must have appeared non-threatening, perhaps a woman, a child, or an elderly individual, likely in some distress.
Only then would Lucinda consider letting them into her car.
Lonnie grasped Nathanâs line of thought and pondered it.