Chapter 384 The Key Witness Emerges.
Zev’s face darkened. He handed Jasper over to Kelly.
Kelly glanced at him, worried.
18 Pearls
“I’ll be fine. Just need a word with him,” Zev murmured, ruffling her hair before following Charles outside.
Caden, who had been tossed to the side like an old coat, insisted on tagging along.
“Stay in the living room. No arguments,” Charles ordered, frowning.
Caden–usually fearless, the type who’d gladly raise hell at the mere mention of Clarissa–actually backed
off.
He sank into the couch like a sulky kid and dared not tag along. He mutters under his breath in grievance. “Why can’t I hear it? I want to know what really happened too.”
Kelly gave a small smile and said, “I’ve got something to take care of early tomorrow morning. Mind watching Jasper and Shane for me?”
Caden nodded and took a seat across from her, gently holding the two kids while they played with toys.
After a long pause, Caden looked up at Kelly and said, “His dad’s death is a wound Zev will never truly heal from.
“He was tricked into going overseas under the pretense of an investment deal and suffered terribly. He died there. If it weren’t for Wade pulling every string and paying a fortune, they wouldn’t have recovered his body,” Caden said quietly.
Back then, Sylvester’s case shook the world. The cruelty of it was beyond comprehension.
Sylvester had been a rare genius in the business world. His downfall brought regret to many–and quiet relief to others.
If he had lived, if he had continued to rise, the Lockharts wouldn’t just be one of the wealthiest families in the country. They’d be global power players by now.
He would’ve risen so far, so fast. He’d be stepping on all the wrong toes.
Kelly felt a tight pain in her chest and nodded. “I know. That’s why Zev risked his life and spent five years Solmaris as an undercover agent, just to get close to Lucas.”
Lucas was one of the men who’d kidnapped Zev’s father.
Zev spent five years trying to find out who was behind Lucas. But he never uncovered the identity of the person who hired them.
in
Out in the yard.
Zev followed Charles to a secluded corner.
“The one who had me kidnapped this time was Assad. Lucas‘ younger brother,” Charles said, lighting a cigarette and offering one to Zev.
732
Chapter 384 The Key Witness Emerges
Zev waved it off. “I already quit.”
His wife can’t stand the smell.
+8 Pearls
“Do you remember Don Burke?” Charles asked. “He was part of the same mercenary gang that kidnapper your dad. A guy from Drakonia–dad from Hallowick, mom from Speinia. Grew up running wild in Abbysia. Later, they built an entire business kidnapping wealthy folks around Osmen and Cofrailia. Ended up on the most–wanted lists in half a dozen countries before disappearing completely.”
Zev’s expression turned grim as he nodded in acknowledgment.
He would never forget those faces–the ones who kidnapped his father.
Back when he was stationed in Oasisvale, Zev had spent years digging into the people who had taken his father. Most had been caught or killed. All but Don. He had vanished without a trace.
Zev had pulled every favor and chased every lead to take him in.
But that man was cunning and impossible to capture.
Still, Zev believed Don had been the one calling the shots. The one who dealt with the client. If he could just find him, he’d uncover who ordered Sylvester’s kidnapping.,
“This time, the guy leading Assad’s crew looked familiar,” Charles continued. “We fought–he was skilled, like a professional merc. Looked younger than Don’s old mugshot. A different face altogether. But I have a feeling that was him.”
Charles suspected Don had undergone plastic surgery and hidden himself away in Seaville.
After all, the most dangerous place was often the safest.
“That slippery devil … ” Zev muttered through gritted teeth. No wonder his years in Oasisvale and Abbysia turned up nothing.
“Are you sure it’s him?” Zev looked at Charles in agitation.
Don hadn’t been seen in years. Neither military intel nor international law enforcement had found a trace
of him.
“I wasn’t, at first,” Charles said. “But I once worked under Captain Gardner. I’ve seen the files, the video from your dad’s abduction. The last surveillance footage showed him being taken at the airport. The man leading the crew was Don. Years of combat left him with a limp, and a gunshot wound in his right arm left his hand twitching when relaxed.”
He looked Zev straight in the eye. “The guy who grabbed me? Same limp. Same twitch.”
Zev’s expression darkened further,
Don. In Seaville. With a new face.
Haha!
That damn fox.
“I’ve got an idea, Charles said. “We can draw him out–confirm it once and for all. Assad’s crew thinks I’m a traitor, I blew my cover overseas and cost them the Seaville market. He hates me–wants me in pieces. He
273
15:07 Wed, 28 May Gro
Chapter 384 The Key Witness Emerges
wouldn’t spare me. If they’ve tried once, they’ll try again”
Charles was volunteering as bait. To lure Assad. To lure Don.
Zev was worried about him. “What about your safety?”
“It’s my duty,” Charles said quietly.
To Assad’s crew, he was already marked as a traitor. A dead man walking when his cover was blown.
“Can I ask something?” Zev frowned, clearly worried for his actual friend, “You’re working with the police, right? This operation is joint with the military and law enforcement. So, the real Charles…”
“Sorry,” Charles cut him off. “You know the rules.”
Zev nodded, then clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Sorry, I know I’m selfish, but as Caden’s buddy, I had to ask. This could drag him down.”
Charles nodded and gave a bitter smile. “Sidney runs both sides of the law in Seaville. I originally got close to him, hoping to work as his bodyguard–just to survive. Never expected to cross paths with Caden.”
He exhaled slowly, watching the smoke curl in the air. “Once Don shows himself, I’ll be gone.
