Chapter 44 A DEEP SILENCE
“I don’t know. That was the last place he was seen before he disappeared. I thought you might have a clue,” I replied, letting out a deep sigh.
He ran a hand through his hair, his jaw tightening as he got lost in his own thoughts.
“Are you saying Ravyn Vale might have been present at the party?” his assistant asked, and I nodded in response.
“That doesn’t make any sense. They know better than to let the likes of him in,” he muttered to himself as I carefully observed the two men standing before me.
And right then, I knew something far bigger was going on than Ravyn Vale’s sudden appearance.
“We need to check every piece of footage from that day,” I said firmly. “Both before the party and after.”
They exchanged glances, a silent conversation passing between them, before looking back at me.
“We have to go,” Mr. Lennox said, rising to his feet, that same restrained anger still burning in his eyes as his assistant followed.
Was he ditching me after I handed him everything I had?
“I don’t understand. Why are you leaving?” I followed behind them, confusion and frustration clawing at my chest. “We need to see that footage to know where Ravyn Vale is hiding.”
They ignored me, continuing toward the door, and in that moment, I felt the last thread of control snap.
“Mr. Jaxon Lennox, don’t you dare walk out on me!” I shouted.
He stopped in his tracks and slowly turned to face me.
“Why are you so fucking good at running?” I added, my voice shaking as my emotions finally took over. “Unlike you, there are people who stand to lose everything.”
The moment the words left my mouth, regret settled in— because he was already walking toward me.
We both stood there, staring at each other, the intensity in our eyes thick and unyielding. Then he leaned closer and said—
“We’ve met before, haven’t we?”
The way his eyes pierced into mine felt like he was searching my soul for answers I refused to give. I couldn’t explain what passed between us in that moment, but I found myself briefly lost in the weight of his gaze.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. All I know is that we need that footage to find Ravyn Vale,” I said, refusing to let him see past the walls it had taken me years to build.
“Here,” he said, handing back the phone I had given him earlier. “Now we both have each other’s contact. I’ll text you an address by tomorrow. We have a lot to discuss, Detective Nancy.”
There was a forced edge to his smile as I took the phone from him.
With that, he turned and began walking away. His assistant called the dog over, securing the leash before guiding him back.
I watched as he said a word or two to Renna, then his gaze shifted to mine again. A faint smile crossed his face as he patted her head, his eyes returning to me one last time before they walked away.
Renna immediately ran up to me, practically bouncing with excitement.
“Mum, Uncle Jaxon said I could play with Alba whenever I want,” she said happily.
But I couldn’t wrap my head around what had just happened. I thought meeting him would at least give us a lead on Ravyn Vale, but instead, I felt more lost than before.
“Was that Mr. Lennox?” Kelvin’s voice came from behind me as I turned to face him.
“Hey, Kelvin,” I greeted, ignoring his question, though my mind wouldn’t let it go. I needed answers—at least one or two—about Ravyn Vale, or I wouldn’t be able to rest.
“Kelvin, can you watch Renna until Mum and Dad get back? I really need to confirm something,” I said before I could even fully process my own decision.
I didn’t wait for his response. I leaned down and pecked Renna on the cheek.
“I’m sorry, honey, but I promise I’ll be back before you know it,” I told her before rushing outside, determined to stop Mr. Lennox before he left.
Jaxon’s POV
I couldn’t believe it. Ravyn Vale had been right under my nose—and I missed him. He attended the party, and I never even knew.
“What are you planning to do?” Troy asked, sounding like he had read my thoughts. “Are you going to confront the boss? Because we both know if anyone is capable of hiding Ravyn Vale’s presence, it’s him.”
“I’m not letting this go,” I said, a low, frustrated groan slipping out as my thoughts spiraled. “If I find out he has anything to do with this, I won’t let it slide.”
And then there was Miss Carter.
I didn’t think she understood the danger she was stepping into. From the moment she walked into my hotel looking for Ravyn Vale, something had been set in motion.
And I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
“But do you think someone intentionally sent out that video so she could find it? Ravyn Vale has been hiding for five fucking years without a single trace—why the sudden appearance?” Troy asked, voicing the same thought running relentlessly through my mind.
“Something is off,” I said quietly, my jaw tightening. “And I intend to figure it out.”
Just then, Miss Carter rushed out the door, her eyes scanning the area before locking onto us. She marched toward the car and gave a light knock on my window. I rolled it down, immediately meeting the intensity in her gaze.
“There is no way I’m letting you leave without a reasonable explanation,” she said, her chin lifted, stubbornness written all over her face. “So why don’t we have that conversation right now?”
I studied her for a moment before unlocking the door.
“Get in,” I said, shifting to make room since Alba remained in the front seat with Troy.
“Where to?” Troy asked, glancing between me and Nancy.
“Take us home, Troy. If Miss Carter really wants to know what I have to say, then we need privacy,” I replied, never breaking eye contact with her.
I waited for her to hesitate, to back away—but instead, she tore her gaze from mine, folded her arms across her chest, and lifted her chin in silent defiance, fear nowhere in sight.
She never ceased to amaze me.