Episode 18

After settling down, I resolved to visit my patient in the hospital. She might have information useful to this puzzle. I prepared my things while Gato and Jimmy gathered information that could help us. Kai dropped me at the marketplace where I left my car yesterday, so I could head to work on my own. Not without first promising to call him if I felt in danger.

I knew better than anyone that I had to handle what I knew with care. But I needed to see my father. So I called Tian and instructed him to take care of the patient, to only allow family visits and otherwise insist she hadn’t woken up. I drove to my father's house, needing answers that only he could provide. If my father is involved in this—if he's linked to my sister's death—I'll make him pay dearly. Arriving at my father's house, I parked, got out of my car, but then felt an odd premonition. Removing my sister's keys that I took the day I argued with my father, I approached the door and tried to unlock it, but it was already open.

Ali: "Dad... Dad...!" As I carefully opened the door and stepped into the living room, I observed the chaos, all things tossed as if someone rummaged through searching for something. Blood droplets led the way on the floor, and I followed them to a larger blood stain, signs of dragging, undoubtedly my father was taken, and by the amount of blood lost, he was wounded but still alive. Whoever abducted him did so within three to six hours, as the blood had begun to dry around the edges due to the ambient temperature not being very high. I call Kai.

Ali: 📱"Kai, something serious has happened. I'm at my father's house and someone has taken him, there are bloodstains on the floor." (Trying to stay calm).

Kai: 📱(on the other line) "Wait there and call Dylan, but don't reveal anything. Just tell him that your father is missing. I'm on my way."

Following his advice, I call Dylan, and in less than 15 minutes, the police are there, cordoning off the scene. Tian conducts the crime scene investigation while Dylan questions me about my father's enemies—questions I struggle to answer given our strained relationship. Just then, Kai arrives and embraces me.

Kai: "Are you okay?" His stare saturated with concern.

Ali: "Yes, I'm okay. But whoever took him, doesn't want him talking. They're trying to cut loose ends—he only could solve this puzzle and the evil network of this town." At that moment, I notice General Emilio speaking with Dylan, issuing an order. His arrogant gaze shifts towards me, meeting my eyes with a smirk before he leaves.

I watch Dylan secure my father's computer. I look at Kai.

Ali: "We need that computer."

Kai: "Only Jimmy can find what your father stored on it." (I see her nodding in agreement).

I see Dylan leave, instructing me to stay out of my father's investigation before departing without another word. I just watch him, speechless.

I head to the hospital, while Kai follows, accompanying me to my workplace. He receives a call that makes him anxious, then tells me he'll devise a plan to retrieve my father's computer, but first, he needs to see his brother.

Kai: I say goodbye to Ali as I leave her at work and drive to my older brother's house.

Arriving at my brother's, he's in the yard, smoking his cigar, as usual.

Kai: "Hello, brother."

Louis: "Can you tell me what the hell you're up to? I said investigate the drug, not play superhero for your first love."

Kai: "Brother, the drug is connected to the deaths of these girls. Whoever is trying to frame you is behind it."

Louis: "I need you to go to the forest tomorrow, bring Mauro food and water. I don't know what that old man's playing at, but he's my godfather, and I have to help him. I don’t want his daughter to know he's hiding. You better not tell a thing to your girlfriend, it'd put her in more danger."

"Make sure to collect a debt for me tomorrow. You're the devil after all, so do your job."

Kai: "I'll handle it."

Leaving the house, I buy provisions to take to Ali's father, hiding in a cabin in the woods. I'm conflicted. I love Ali, but if she learns I've lied, I'll lose her, and I can't let that happen. I've lost my closest friends already; I won't lose Ali, even if it means sacrificing my life. I can't help but wonder how she'll react when she discovers I am the devil.

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***