The receptionist opened a work memorandum, glanced from it to Nicoleâs face, and then snapped it shut.
âMiss Lawrence, Mr.
Watts left the company at 1:32 a.
m.
this morning.
â
Nicole gave the receptionist a puzzled look, unsure why the latter was now sharing such precise details.
The receptionist offered a smile of apology.
âMr.
Watts had instructed that should Miss Lawrence visit, we were to call him immediately and keep no secrets.
â
The receptionist had already marked Nicoleâs arrival as a priority.
A wave of paleness washed over Nicoleâs face.
She was overwhelmed by Roscoeâs thoughtfulness and his attention to detail.
She quickly left Roscoeâs company and hailed a taxi to his apartment.
Upon speaking with the buildingâs security guard, Nicole found out that Roscoe hadnât come home yet.
Nicoleâs complexion turned ashen.
Roscoe had vanished after Leaving his office.
But at that time, Jarrod was still incarcerated.
Who could be acting on his behalf?
Suddenly, a name popped into Nicoleâs head â Alec.
It had to be him.
Nicole then took a taxi to Jarrodâs company, but as expected, she didnât find him there.
Jarrod was having a meal with Vicki somewhere else.
Nicole requested to see Alec specifically, but the receptionist told her Alec was tied up.
Nicole decided to wait in the lobby.
Eventually, Nicole noticed Alec descending the stairs, apparently about to leave for an errand.
Nicole felt an urge to confront him but stopped herself.
After Alec departed, she followed him in a taxi.
She watched as he parked at a tea house and casually sat down for tea.
Nicole instructed the taxi to drive past and continued surveilling Alec.
A short while later, Alec returned to his car, and Nicole, now disguised in a baseball cap, slipped into a black car.
It was too conspicuous to follow in a taxi, so she had asked her assistant to find a less noticeable car.
Soon after, Alec parked his car at an entertainment club.
Once he entered, Nicole slipped inside and booked a chamber.
She methodically searched each chamber, tracing the path Alec had taken.
âs BunnyBookery Nicoleâs search continued until she opened the final door.
There sat Alec, casually drinking with two women by his side.
As the door opened, Alec, seemingly anticipating her arrival, called out loudly, âMiss Lawrence, come in and join us for a drink!â
Nicoleâs hand shook slightly.
Since Alec had spotted her, there was no point in hiding.
She realized Alec had been misleading her on purpose.
Nicole walked in, stood by the table facing Alec, and got straight to the point.
âYou kidnapped Roscoe, didnât you?â
âYou mean your lover? What makes you think I did so?â Alec lifted his wine glass, sipped slowly, and smirked.
âI havenât seen him.
Alecâs expression seemed to taunt Nicole, âI know something you donât.
â
Alec chuckled, adding, âMiss Lawrence, youâre such a lousy detective.
I must say youâve really gone all out for your little lover.
â
âHeâs not my Lover,â Nicole stated sharply, correcting Alec.
âYou donât need me to remind you that kidnapping is a crime, right? Mr.
Schultz just got out of jail.
Do you want to end up there?â
Alec smirked.
âWho said I kidnapped him? Didnât I already tell youâ¦â