Outside, the rain poured loudly, masking the soft sobs emanating from inside the office.
Nathan took a deep breath, coughed harshly, and quickly smoked an entire cigarette before tossing it into a glass ashtray.
To avoid distractions from Sonny and Kyson, he had switched off his mobile phone and placed it in his pocket.
He then retrieved another phone from his desk drawer and dialed a number he knew by heart.
Less than two seconds after dialing, a gentle automated voice informed him the signal was weak and the other party was out of service area, urging him to try again later.
Lucindaâs phone had never been off the whole day, and this reality unsettled him even more than if it had been turned off.
No signs of struggle were evident in the car.
Someone Lucinda knew must have been in her car.
Without any sign of mechanical failure, Lucinda had driven off the slope.
No blood was found in the valley; the rain had washed away all potential evidence.
Nathan couldnât bear to think about what horrors Lucinda might have faced in her car.
His gaze was glued to the stack of surveillance footage photos spread across his desk.
Suddenly, he thought of something critical.
He rose quickly, exited his office, and located a police officer to retrieve the mobile phone found in Lucindaâs car.
The phone was shattered, its screen cracked into pieces.
Despite the slim chances, Nathan was determined to explore every possible lead.
He left the National Security Bureau and headed to a discreet underground workshop.
There, he handed the fragmented phone, sealed in a transparent bag, to Gregory Olson, a trusted professional in restoration.
âCan you restore this phone?â
Gregory donned special gloves and carefully removed the phoneâs pieces from the bag.
After a thorough examination, Gregory shook his head.
âIâm sorry, Mr.
Payne, this phone is too damaged.
Even reassembling the parts wonât easily restore its function.
â
âI donât need the casing restored, just the internal chips reassembled and a new display fitted to access the data inside.
â
Gregory nodded.
âThat I can do.
â
âHow long will it take?â
âGive me two days.
â
Nathanâs expression was stern as he placed an unsigned check on Gregoryâs desk, signaling the urgency and no-limit nature of the task.