Chapter 75 Do It
By the time Derek and the officers returned to the resort, the air felt heavy with dread.
The early morning light had begun to creep out, slowly being replaced by the afternoon one, but it brought no comfort.
Derek felt like time itself was mocking him moving forward, while his world stood frozen in fear.
He paced back and forth near the reception desk, his phone clutched tightly in his hand. Every second without news felt unbearable.
The officers were nearby, speaking in low voices, occasionally glancing at him. They could all see it written on his face, he was barely holding himself together.
His phone blinked with an incoming message. He was about checking it when it started to ring.
Derek stopped pacing instantly and answered without even checking the caller ID.
“Sir,” the caller said and Derek didn't need a seer to tell him who had called.
"Talk to me," he said, his voice tight with urgency, knowing that the caller hadn't called him just to greet him.
"I followed Miss Vanessa, like you said," the investigator said, his voice rushed and tense.
Derek straightened on hearing that. "And?" He asked barely concealing his desperation.
"She didn’t come into the resort," the investigator continued. "She diverted just before town. I followed her to a warehouse. A old, abandoned-looking warehouse, just outside the outskirts of the town where the resort is located."
Derek’s heart slammed hard against his chest. "Are you sure?" He asked, trying to confirm what he just heard just to be sure he wasn't just hearing things.
"Yes," the investigator replied. "There are men stationed outside. They look like they’re keeping watch. I’m almost certain Mrs Hemsworth is here."
Hope surged through Derek so fast it almost knocked the breath out of him.
"Send me your location and share your location with me. NOW!" Derek ordered.
"I already have," the investigator replied. "Just in case."
Derek opened his mouth to speak again when suddenly the investigator’s voice dropped.
"Wait," he whispered. "Someone’s coming this way."
"What?" Derek said sharply. "What do you see?"
"I think they noticed me..."
There was a sudden sound of movement, followed by a muffled struggle.
"Hey, Let go of me..."
That was the last thing Derek heard before the phone went dead.
"Hello?" Derek said desperately. "Hello?"
When he didn't hear any other thing, he stared at his phone, his hands shaking.
“We need to leave here now!” Derek yelled, calling the attention of the police officers.
One of the officers rushed to his side. "What happened?"
"They caught him," Derek said, his voice strained but firm. "But he sent his location before they did."
“Caught who? What are you talking about about?” the second police officer asked in confusion.
Derek ran a hand through his hair in frustration as he told them what was happening.
The officer nodded immediately turning to the technician. "Get the coordinates."
Derek gave his phone to the technician, they all watched as he pulled up the message. The location blinked on the screen.
Fortunately, it was close.
"Move out," the officer ordered. "Now.
At the warehouse, the investigator was dragged inside roughly by two men. His phone was snatched from his hand and flung across the concrete floor, sliding until it hit the wall and shattered.
Vanessa stood near the center of the warehouse, her arms folded, her expression cold and unreadable. Rebecca lay nearby, weak, bruised, and barely conscious, the smell of petrol lingering in the air.
"We caught him making a call on the premises," one of the men said. "Looks like people are already on their way."
Rebecca’s heart skipped painfully and without doubt, she knew who was behind this. It was Derek. Derek knew and he was searching for her, she thought weakly.
For the first time since she had been kidnapped, a small flicker of hope burned inside her chest.
Vanessa noticed the change in her expression and her lips curved into a cruel smile.
"So," Vanessa said calmly, "he found you, but do you think he will be fast enough to save you?" She asked, her face lighting up with a smirk.
She turned to the men without hesitation. "We can’t wait anymore."
The taller one among them hesitated before asking. "What about her?"
Vanessa glanced at Rebecca as though she were nothing more than an object. "Burn the place. Everywhere. We leave now."
Rebecca’s eyes widened in terror. "No… please…"
Petrol cans were dragged forward. The sharp smell filled the warehouse, making Rebecca cough as panic flooded her body. Tears streamed down her face as she struggled weakly against her restraints.
Not like this, she thought desperately. Please… not my baby…
One of the men twisted open the cap of another petrol can.
The sharp click echoed too loudly in the warehouse, cutting through the air like a final warning.
Rebecca’s eyes widened as it dawned on her that she might really lose her life. “No… no, please…” she whispered again, her voice hoarse, barely carrying.
Her body strained uselessly against the restraints as fear flooded every part of her.
“Don’t worry. I'll make it as quick as possible so you can go join your loving dad and your sweet mother in the afterlife. You will love the reunion,” Vanessa said coldly.
Hearing that, the man tilted the can, and petrol spilled freely, splashing across the concrete floor. It crept outward in thin, shining streams, crawling closer to her like something alive.
The smell grew stronger, heavier, burning her nose and throat. She coughed violently, her chest aching as panic tightened its grip.
Another man dragged another can forward again, pouring it along the walls, over old crates, soaking wooden beams and discarded fabric. The liquid darkened everything it touched, leaving destruction behind before the fire had even started.
Rebecca’s breathing became shallow as she watched. This is really happening. She told herself as her life began flashing through her eyes.
Her heart pounded so hard it felt like it might tear out of her chest. She shook her head weakly, tears streaming down her face.
“Please… I’m begging you…” she cried, her voice breaking. “Please don’t do this. Please, I still love you as my sister. I still consider you as my sister. Didn't you love me at all?” Rebecca asked wanting desperately to make Vanessa have a rethink.
Vanessa stood a few steps away, her back partially turned. Her shoulders were tense, her jaw tight. For a brief moment, her fingers curled into fists at her sides. She wanted to stop the whole process but she'd already started and she couldn't fail her dad now.
She couldn't let his labor go to vain.
Taking a deep breath, she spoke, her voice cold and final.
“Do it.”