52. All Fishy

Jonathan returned to the tablet screen to review the CCTV footage. He stayed up all night to find a bright spot even though the police were also on the move. It felt like his life was becoming unsettled.

He was also on guard to contact his mafia group, sending them the CCTV recordings for further inspection.

Jonathan exhaled his cigarette while watching the tablet screen. He was also given a leak by Jayden about the suspicious woman. Her name was Raquel Gempita, an unemployed 42-year-old. She only worked part-time.

Jonathan chuckled. "What unemployment? Can an unemployed person have an expensive suit and stay at an elite hotel?"

Jonathan hissed. He also knew that this kind of thing was just identity forgery. Even so, he was increasingly convinced that the interference of those closest to him was real. Jonathan's only focus this time was to find out who the brains of all this were.

"We have to catch Raquel," Jonathan muttered.

"But that could just be your guess, sir," Jayden said.

"My guess?"

"Yes. It could be that this whole thing has been so carefully planned that Raquel is just an extra. She's a distraction. In any case, after the shooting incident, the CCTV will be checked," Jayden said, releasing his thoughts. He tried to give his input when Jonathan was not completely normal.

Jonathan accepted the suggestion. He was stunned to think of a few things, piecing together the puzzle in his mind. Then he exhaled slowly while looking at his wife who was lying on the carcass still unconscious.

"Alright. Thank you for your input. You may leave. Get some rest!" said Jonathan. He gave Jayden a temporary place to stay in a simple inn next to the hospital so that when Jonathan needed him, Jayden could be there immediately.

The man looked back at the helpless Cathy. The sound of the medical device filled the silence of the night with the antiseptic scent that filled the atmosphere.

Jonathan hated that smell. He had asked Jayden to buy some air freshener. Jonathan placed on the nightstand a soothing lavender scent. Jonathan had decided not to let anyone into Cathy's room. There were only two of his confidants on guard. He didn't even allow his mother, Via, and Agnes to enter.

The charming man did not want anyone to touch Cathy while the perpetrator had not been caught.

Jonathan was suspicious of everyone, including his own family. After all, he realized his family was unpredictable and insane. Every human being must have a bad side. Moreover, all of this is directed at the people closest to them.

It was already the early hours of the morning. Jonathan tried to lie down on the soft sofa. He leaned on but felt threatened by a storm. Jonathan couldn't fall asleep, just lay there.

Then, another possibility occurred to him. Since earlier, Jonathan had been focused on his family. But the culprit could be coming from Cathy. He opened his tablet to check some emails. Could this incident have something to do with the mission Cathy canceled or something else?

But in the end, Jonathan's wandering mind exhausted his body and he fell into a deep sleep. He didn't even realize when he started to fall asleep.

Then, the faint voices woke him up. He was trying hard to open his heavy eyelids. His eyes widened when he saw Cathy standing with her back to him. She was wearing a black leather jacket crouched down to retrieve several dollar bills from the tote bag Via had brought her. She smeared bright red lipstick over her pale lips.

"Oh my!" Cathy was startled when she accidentally turned her head to find Jonathan secretly watching her. She thought he was asleep.

Jonathan sat up and approached his wife, who still looked unresponsive. Her beautiful face still looked pale even though her lips seemed to be burning red. Jonathan embraced her, landing a sweet peck on Cathy's forehead.

"Where are you going?" Jonathan asked softly. "You just woke up."

"I have to go."

"You still need treatment. Your wounds aren't dry yet." Jonathan advised.

Cathy shook her head firmly. "I'm already well. I'm fine."

"It hasn't been 24 hours since you got shot. It's only been a few hours since you had surgery, Cathy." Jonathan pushed away the hairs around his wife's forehead. "Only a madman could claim to be fine."

"Right! I am crazy. I think you know that too."

"Catharina..."

The woman threw Jonathan's hand away. "Don't hold me back!"

"You're my wife. You can't do anything without my permission!" said Jonathan angrily as his wife still walked slowly towards the door. A sign that she was in pain.

Cathy clenched her hands tightly. She closed her eyes. Her mind was no less muddled than Jonathan's. The memory of the shooting was still vivid until she woke up today. They haunted her.

The very thing Cathy had anticipated happened. Cathy was convinced that the anonymous client was making a strong threat. It was a warning shot that Cathy was getting close to the deadline when she had to finish off Jonathan Andrea Beltz.

The anonymous client was threatening that Cathy couldn't have it both ways. Cathy was in the circle that the client had described.

"Shit!" Cathy grumbled. She regretted everything about accepting this mission.

But since it was already done, Cathy had to take responsibility. Even the gunshot didn't scare her. She was even more ambitious to kill the anonymous client for a more peaceful life.

"Your stitches are still wet! Don't be silly!"

"I can't lie around like an idiot while that asshole is running around outside!" Cathy screeched at her husband.

"You're worse than an idiot!" snapped Jonathan. "You don't even have good physical strength right now. Don't try to be ambitious if you don't want to kill yourself!"

"I'll take care of that asshole. Go back to your place. I'll get a doctor," the man continued.

"Can you not order me around? Just once." Cathy pleaded. "This is my life. My life depends on this. I have to take responsibility!"

Jonathan let out the breath he had been holding. He moved closer, grasping both of Cathy's shoulders. "I'm your husband. I'm the one responsible for my wife's life!"