Chapter 172

Chapter 172

Gary muttered to himself, "I reckon it's the right call. If the law can't nail these scoundrels, then it's up to me to serve justice."

As he spoke, he carried on with his tasks in the carriage. Sophia could see him occupied inside, but she couldn't quite make out what he was up to.

Sophia chimed in casually, her voice soft yet commanding, "Why mess around with mud? You should try messing with lime powder, now that's a blast."

Gary's movements paused briefly, as if her words had struck a chord with him.

She added, "My dad used to tinker with phosphorus, saltpeter, even dabbled in alcohol." Sophia's tone remained steady, devoid of any emotional ups and downs, as if narrating a mundane tale.

Gary furrowed his brow slightly, "And how did that turn out?"

Sophia's voice remained flat, "He ended up with cancer in the end."

After a long pause, Gary inquired, "How did you figure out I swiped the medical records? And how did you know about the bodies buried in the woods?"

Sophia's tone stayed composed, "Because I've spent years studying how to make folks kick the bucket quietly."

She continued in a light breath, as if recounting a story detached from herself, "The rich ones invest in real estate, blending the deceased into concrete; those with some cash might opt for wolves, turning the dead into their chow; and the penniless raise pigs, making the dead their grub."

Gary listened in silence. He had pegged Sophia as a calm doctor, but now he realized she could dissect these methods with such depth, unflinchingly. In that moment, he had a sudden realization that Sophia might be even more perilous than he had thought.

After a beat, Gary abruptly stated, "I've got one more thing to handle."

He dusted off his hands, rose to his feet, and strode toward Sophia. " I can't have you and the doctor running off to spill my secret to the cops. So you gotta lend a hand, or we'll all go down together."

He swiftly moved closer to Sophia, deftly securing something around her waist, his voice rough and low, "Whipped this up myself, does the trick nicely."

Sophia felt the weight at her waist, like a makeshift bomb. Her heart skipped a beat, but she maintained her composure.

"Our paths don't cross," Sophia spoke softly, with a resolute tone that brooked no argument, "You shouldn't drag innocent folks into this."

Gary stood firm. He laboriously pulled something from the shadows and tossed it at Sophia's feet. It was Joseph, unconscious.

Sophia glanced down and sensed he was still breathing, feeling a tad relieved.

Gary removed Joseph's coat, fastened something dark around his waist, and then dragged the unconscious Joseph away.

Shortly after, Gary returned to the carriage and icily informed Sophia, "Got one more person to take care of, and I'll need your help next."

"Who's on your hit list?" Sophia asked without a hint of panic, "I can help strategize. I'm skilled at taking folks out without raising eyebrows."

Gary rubbed his head, a touch of sarcasm in his voice. " I don't need your help; I just need you to follow orders."

Sophia scoffed, "You're too impulsive. Your scheme will blow our cover."

She locked her icy eyes with Gary, "You've made three big blunders lately."

Gary's expression shifted instantly. He tried to speak but faltered.

Undeterred, Sophia pressed on, "I reckon you're making mistakes 'cause your puppet master's gone MIA, right?"

"So, you're flying solo, leaving loose ends." Sophia's tone remained even, as if discussing the weather, "Like swiping those medical records."

After a beat, Gary murmured, "I thought snagging the records would keep the docs in the dark about the cause of death. Didn't expect..."

He cut himself off, redirecting, "Let's drop this. I need you to help me set the stage. No need to show face or make a peep."

Gary's silence hinted at a hidden orchestrator behind him. Sophia could bet it was Beckett's father. Gary was clearly executing a long-established murder plot.

Ethan had hinted that it all tied back to Beckett. What had Gary and Beckett's father been through to forge such a bond? Outsiders wouldn't easily meddle in this.

Yet, Sophia knew she and Joseph weren't safe. Gary was a seasoned killer. If she slipped up, they could be his next victims.

"Gary, what's it like burying someone alive?" Sophia shifted gears, aiming to distract Gary.

Gary chuckled darkly, "Heart racing, hands shaking, drenched in sweat."

"Why bury them in the same spot?" Sophia's tone was calm, tinged with curiosity, "Hold a special meaning?"

Gary's demeanor shifted, his voice low, "Don't ask. Remember, if you disobey, it won't just be your colleagues who suffer; you'll face the consequences too. I'll detonate us all before I die."

With that, Gary exited the car without hesitation, locking the door securely behind him.

Fear crept up Sophia's spine. No phone, no weapon, not even a light source. Strapped with a makeshift bomb, signs pointed to Gary's changing intentions.

What was his next move? What twisted act was he about to stage?

Beckett's father, the puppet master, what kind of man was he? Was he like her father in her quest for vengeance, silent and solitary, plotting with calm precision, waiting for the perfect moment?