Chapter: 258

As the dawn crept across the sky, painting it with hues of orange and pink, Norah's heart raced against time. The urgency was palpable in the tight grip she had on her steering wheel, her mind a tumult of worry for Kason.

The GPS coordinates on her phone had directed her to a remote location, a solid half-hour's drive from where she had been, and the uncertainty of what awaited her there gnawed at her nerves.

Kason's recent injury, his right hand still in the throes of recovery, added layers of anxiety to her already frantic thoughts. What if he was in danger? What if he needed help?

At a red light, a moment of pause in her hurried journey, Norah swiftly tied her hair back, a physical manifestation of her readiness to leap into action. Her resolve was clear. "Kason, I'll be there soon."

Upon Norah's arrival, the sight of two police cars already stationed at the scene offered a sliver of reassurance.

The police captain, spotting Norah, approached her vehicle with a brisk stride. "Were you the one who called the police?" he inquired, peering into the car. "Where's the victim?"

Upon their arrival at the deserted location, all the police encountered were grass and leaves, with no sign of any individual present.

Norah nodded, her voice steady but laced with concern. "Yes, I did.

It's about Kason. He should be here somewhere."

She dialed Kason's number, and his ringtone faintly sounded from within the bushes. Guided by the sound, she discovered his phone, swiftly unlocking it to find it open to a text message conversation.

A sinking feeling took hold. Something dire had befallen Kason.

"I believe the phone's owner may have been abducted, making this the crime scene," Norah announced, holding the device aloft, a sense of urgency in her voice. "This gives us a critical opportunity to unearth any leads."

As the captain examined Kason's phone, the discovery of bloodstains and numerous footprints in the vicinity prompted a grave look to wash over his face. "Understood!" he exclaimed, signaling the gravity of their findings.

Their timing was crucial. The surrounding woods and the Likelihood of any vehicles leaving traces behind became focal points of their search. Noticing fresh blood specks on the foliage, a stark red against the green, tugged at Norah's heartstrings. Had Kason been wounded even before she reached out to him? The silence on his end now haunted her. If only he had given some indication of his predicament or any detail about his assailant.

Engrossed in her thoughts and barely registering the physical pain, Norah's hand brushed against the grass, the sharp edges of the Leaves nicking her skin, drawing a bead of blood.

Yet, the physical discomfort paled in comparison to her confusion and concern over Kason's silence.

With a resolve strengthened by the ordeal, Norah presented the police with the necessary information. "The individual believed to be abducted is named Kason Hayes. Typically, he is accompanied by two bodyguards. It might be worthwhile to inquire if his bodyguards have any information regarding his current location."

Upon learning the identity of the missing individual, the police captain's demeanor shifted noticeably.

Kason's name resonated with recent police operations. It was a name linked to a distinguished, albeit retired, individual known for his uncompromising methods and exceptional detective work.

The possibility that Kason might have encountered trouble during an assignment crossed their minds, especially given the lack of any reports to their department regarding an incident involving him.

“Miss, we appreciate this information. You're free to go now. We'll keep you updated on any developments," the captain informed Norah, hinting at the sensitive nature of the case tied to an ongoing mission, which led to his suggestion for Norah to depart from the scene.

Norah's concern for Kason was palpable, her voice tinged with urgency.

"Kason is my friend. I'm deeply worried about his disappearance.

Please, prioritize his search!"