âJust sit back and wait.â Dexterâs words to Josie were concise, yet they held the weight of a mountainâs assurance.
Josie had been compelled to return to Mason Garden to rest, but her mind was too agitated to find solace.
âWe spent today at the shore together. He confided many things to me. He said as long as Iâm happy, heâll be at ease,â Josie sat by the bedside, hugging her knees, tears welling in her eyes.
Dexter took a seat beside her.
She couldnât help but wonder if Paul said those as a farewellâ¦
The thought pained her deeply. Just as she had begun to experience her fatherâs love, he was taken away againâ¦
That night, Dexterâs phone rang incessantly. He didnât return to the bedroom until dawn, bathed in the morning light, and he told Josie. âWe know for sure that he didnât wander off on his own.â
Josieâs delicate expression faltered. Her body felt weak, and Dexter reached out to steady her. âAnd heâs still alive.
To say such a thing hinted at slim chances. âI donât just want him to be alive for the moment. I want him to continue living now and beyond this.â
Josie gripped his sleeves, her desperation evident. âWho did this, Dex? Tell me, who did this!â
His hand landed on her head, guiding her into an embrace.
Dexter held her tightly, offering comfort. âWeâre still investigating, Jo. Once we find out, I wonât let them get away with it!â
âI canât lose my dad, Dexâ¦â Josieâs voice trembled, resembling a wounded kitten, growing fainter with each word.
All Dexter could do was embrace her, his presence a silent reassurance.
âOur leads are dubious, and the scope of involvement is wide. Let me handle this, Jo. Iâve got it under control,â he spoke, each word deliberate. âTrust me.â
Josie closed her eyes in weariness.
The internal conflicts within the Russell Group inevitably escalated and ensnared the family members into the midst of a feud.
Before departing, Dexter instructed the servant to watch Josie closely. âMake sure she doesnât leave the house.â
Half a day after he left, a call came from Scott. He shared nearly the same information Dexter had acquired.
âThe key question now is whether you have any enemies, Ms. Warren. Being completely forthcoming will help us move faster.â
Josie rested her forehead in her hands, her head throbbing painfully.
She remained quiet for a long while, her words caught in her throat, coming close to spilling out several times before halting, eventually fading into silence.
âMs. Warren?â
Dexter had urged her to trust him.
âNo, Officer Buncho. We donât have enemies.â
There was a note of disbelief in Scottâs voice as he probed, âNone? Are you absolutely sure?â
ââ¦Yes, Iâm sure.â
There was a pause at the other end as well.
âFrom what I understand, Mr. Russell heads the Russell Group. Given the size of such a corporation, itâs hard to believe there are no adversaries.
Josie felt uneasy about lying, especially considering her fatherâs disappearance. But Dexter seemed to have information that even the police didnât possess. He must have a way to track her father.
Thus, she chose not to divulge the complexities within the Russell family, not wanting to burden Dexter further.
âNone at all.â
Failing to get the response he wanted, Scott had no choice but to end the call. However, before doing so, he left a reminder, âYour father is hours away from hitting the full day mark as missing. If you recall.
anything, please let me know at once.â
The servants at Mason Garden prevented Josie from leaving the premises. So, she went into her fatherâs. spotless and neat room. The box she had brought earlier was neatly placed on the bedside table.
Opening it, Josie examined its contents again. Everything remained unchanged, and her attention was drawn once more to the medical certificate.