Chapter 960

“Follow the breadcrumbs, and they’ll lead you somewhere,” declared Captain Payne with a brisk tone, rallying his team for the search.

“I’m coming with you,” Richard piped up, hurrying to keep pace. The abduction of Thalassa was partially on his hands; if he didn’t. chip in with the rescue and Lysander got wind of it, there would be hell to pay.

This was his shot at redemption, and he wasn’t about to let it slip through his fingers.

Besides, it was his lapse, not ensuring Thalassa got home safe, that had led to this mess in the first place.

If he had put his foot down earlier, not letting Charlotte run amok and insisted on escorting Thalassa home, they wouldn’t be in this predicament now.

Richard followed Captain Payne’s lead, steering the car to the foot of the winding mountain trail. Upon reaching a fork in the road, uncertainty settled in – they weren’t sure which path to take. Fortunately, their numbers allowed them to split up and cover both directions.

“You take a couple of guys and head that way. I’ll go this way. Stay in touch,” Captain Payne instructed with calm efficiency. “Got it,” Richard replied eagerly, falling in line.

The teams diverged, engines humming as they ascended the treacherous mountain paths. It was pitch black, the road twisted and perilous, demanding the utmost attention to avoid a tumble down the slopes.

Richard gripped the steering wheel, his focus laser-sharp on the road ahead. All was quiet until his phone rang with a call from Captain Payne.

“My K9’s found a piece of black fabric. What was Thalassa wearing today?” Captain Payne inquired.

“A white blouse, black skirt,” Richard answered promptly, the image of Thalassa’s outfit etched in his memory.

“Get over here, check if this fabric’s from her skirt,” Captain Payne commanded.

“On it, I’m turning around right now,” Richard replied, quickly spinning the car at the next junction.

He sped to Captain Payne’s location, where he was presented with the torn piece of black fabric. It was clearly ripped off intentionally. Richard’s face turned somber. “No doubt, that’s from Thalassa’s clothes.”

“Let’s move, up the mountain!” Captain Payne, with the K9 in tow, hopped into his SUV, tearing up the incline.

If Thalassa’s clothing was here, the kidnapper had taken her this way. Without hesitation, Richard followed suit.

The team arrived at a row of dilapidated houses atop the hill. Captain Payne and his squad drew their pistols, approaching stealthily.

They kicked doors open with caution, but the insides were barren, not a soul in sight.

A chair lay overturned on the floor, alongside ropes used for binding.

Captain Payne picked up the ropes, letting the K9 catch the scent, and then presented it with the black fabric.

The dog barked twice, and Captain Payne immediately understood – the rope carried the fabric’s scent.

“This is where they held Thalassa,” he deduced..

Anxiety clutched at Richard’s heart as he urged, “Then let’s keep looking; she must be nearby.”

He led a team from house to house, kicking in doors only to find emptiness, cigarette butts, and soda cans-a sure sign of a male presence.

With no sign of Thalassa in any of the houses, Richard felt his tension mounting, panic setting in.

What should he do? If they couldn’t find Thalassa, should he call Lysander with the grim news of her abduction?