Chapter 195
Third-Person POV
In the task force command center, Aaron and Dennis were seething with frustration. "She slipped right through our fingers," Aaron muttered through gritted teeth. "Fucking embarrassing."
Dozens of officers had clear assignments: one team reviewed surveillance footage, another analyzed phone and text records, while several more questioned Emily's family and acquaintances.
The command room door suddenly burst open as Lewis Powell strode in. The room instantly fell silent.
"If you knew she was a suspect, why wasn't someone watching her 24/7?" Lewis's voice boomed throughout the room.
The officers looked down, unable to respond. They all knew it was a critical error.
Lewis surveyed the room before continuing his tirade: "I don't care how you do it, but find Emily Grey within 24 hours! Otherwise, you can all start looking for new jobs!"
After venting, Lewis left, leaving behind an awkward silence.
"The timing is too damn convenient," Dennis said to Aaron. "We find evidence, and suddenly she's gone."
"You think there's a leak?" Aaron frowned.
Dennis nodded. "The Grey family has enough resources to get her out of the country. But I'm more worried about... someone on the inside tipping her off."
"Who do you suspect?"
Dennis's eyes narrowed. "Stone. When people get emotional, principles go out the window."
Aaron shook his head. "Stone wouldn't shield a criminal. He's the most by-the-book cop I know. You don't know him like I do."
A tech analyst interrupted them with important news: Emily had received a call from Sophia's phone number right before she disappeared.
---
At the Grey family mansion, Robert Grey faced the police questioning with both surprise and anger. "Emily would never commit a crime, let alone harm her own family," he stated firmly.
"We haven't arranged for her to leave the country, and we don't know where she is," Cindy added. "But I can assure you, we'll hire the best lawyers to defend her."
"She killed your daughter," Dennis tried to provoke them.
"Grey family members may make mistakes, but we never harm our own," Robert's eyes turned cold.
Lucas angrily accused the police: "That Ruby Blake is clearly mentally unstable! How reliable is her testimony? And you're suspecting Emily based on that?"
After the police left, Robert Grey immediately called a family emergency meeting. "Emily didn't run away," he said with conviction. "Someone is targeting the Grey family."
"What should we do?" Lucas asked.
"Find Emily and get her out of the country," Robert decided. "We can't lose another child."
---
At the police station, the investigation hit a dead end. The surveillance team had only found footage of Emily in the elevator, but the apartment building's entrance cameras had conveniently malfunctioned during that time. Nearby street cameras hadn't captured her either.
"It's like she vanished into thin air," a tech analyst said dejectedly.
The search had become a needle in a haystack.
---
Michael's POV
Aaron called me to the meeting room. I knew they suspected me of leaking information to Emily.
"Stone, are you passing information to Emily?" Dennis asked sternly.
"You should know I'm more desperate than any of you to find Emily."
"I need to check your phone," he said directly.
I handed Dennis my phone without hesitation. "Go ahead."
Dennis's fingers moved across my screen, his brow furrowing deeper with each swipe. Aaron stood behind him, peering over his shoulder.
"You called her multiple times last night," Dennis noted, his voice thick with accusation.
"She didn't answer." My voice remained flat, betraying nothing.
"I found something," the technician reported.
They hurried over to look, while I prepared to leave.
"Wait, Michael. You should see this. It's about you," Aaron called out.
When I saw a file on the computer, my stomach tightened. The folder was labeled "Michael Stone Observation Journal."
"Stone, you've been played," Aaron sighed. "She doesn't care about you. She's been using you."
I stepped closer to the screen, my heart suddenly pounding against my ribcage. Inside were dozens of photos of me – at crime scenes, in my office, even outside my apartment. These candid shots spanned over six months. Detailed notes accompanied the photos.
"November 16th. Sunny. Today I received Charles's request to assist with a case. I met an interesting subject with facial expression disorder. I'm curious to study him."
"November 24th. Cloudy. Caitlin's mental state is deteriorating. I can't delay any longer, I must complete her M plan quickly, at least let her see the results while she's still alive. Michael could be a useful tool."
"November 29th. Sunny. I think he's falling for me. His heart was racing when I put the sensors on him. He must love me already. This was almost too easy."
"I'm losing interest in observing him. Such a boring, emotionless man."
These words sliced through me like knives. Each entry referenced something called the "S Plan."
"What's the S Plan?" I asked, my voice sounding distant even to my own ears.
Aaron patted my shoulder awkwardly. "It's okay to be upset, man. She studied psychology—she knows exactly how to manipulate people."
I stared at the screen, my mind racing. Emily was genuine with me. I'd seen her vulnerability, felt her warmth. These cold, clinical notes didn't match the woman who'd fallen asleep against my shoulder, who'd trusted me with her fears.
"Michael," Dennis said, his voice softening, "why don't you join our team? Help us bring her in."
I nodded mechanically and walked out, my thoughts a chaotic mess. The whispers started before I even reached the hallway.
When I returned to the Major Crimes Unit office, the news had already spread. Thomas rushed up to me, eyes wide with indignation.
"Captain, that journal has to be fake!"
I noticed Nolan discreetly typing on his phone. My instincts kicked in immediately.
"Don't mention her name to me again!" I announced loudly, making sure everyone heard. "She deceived me completely. Why should I believe anything about her now?"
I stormed into my office, slamming the door behind me. Only then did I allow myself to think clearly.
Someone wanted to drive a wedge between Emily and me. They needed everyone to believe I'd abandoned her. As long as our enemies thought their plan had worked, she might hold on a little longer.
I clenched my fists under my desk. Whoever had taken her didn't know who they were dealing with. I would find her. And God help them when I did.