Chapter 38:
Spending the entire afternoon digging through files and making discreet inquiries, Gerard ended up with little more than what was already listed on Freya’s passport.
The lack of substantial findings unnerved him as he picked up the phone to report back. “Sir…” he began, his voice tinged with unease.
Kristian’s response was immediate and direct. “Did you uncover anything?”
“Well, I did come across something,” Gerard admitted, fumbling with the sparse notes before him and swallowing hard. “But to be honest, the information’s barely there.”
There was a pause on the other end as Kristian processed the words. “Go on, then.”
Clearing his throat, Gerard read hesitantly, “Freya Briggs, female.” His heart raced, waiting for Kristian’s reaction.
The silence that followed was thick, broken only by Kristian’s deepening frown. “Is that all?” he finally demanded.
“And, um,” Gerard stammered, nervously pushing his glasses up his nose for the hundredth time, “that’s pretty much the extent of it.”
From his study, Kristian stood abruptly, his gaze fixed on the glowing screen displaying another file—Trent’s.
His voice was sharp with frustration. “That’s all you’ve got?”
“I’ve spent the entire afternoon on this, yet I’ve come up with less than what her passport shows,” Gerard explained, his tone tinged with apology.
He hesitated before adding, “If I may ask, why are we investigating your wife so intensely?”
Kristian’s voice was impatient as he insisted, “Investigate more thoroughly.”
𝓛⍺𝕥𝒆𝕊𝓽 с𝒉αρ𝐭𝓮𝓇𝓈 gⲁⅼ𝓷𝗈ν𝓮𝗅𝗌﹒с𝑜ｍ
Gerard responded defensively, “I already did. This is the result of a thorough investigation.”
“Are you absolutely certain you were thorough?” Kristian pressed, frustration evident in his voice.
He couldn’t believe that after all the digging, all he got was such a disappointing response.
Gerard let out a frustrated sigh. “Yes, I’m sure.”
A tense silence fell between them, broken only by Gerard’s sudden speculation. “Sir, is it possible your wife is some kind of highly skilled hacker who’s managed to erase her tracks?”
Kristian scoffed at the wild guess. “Gerard, try using your brain for once.”
Unfazed, Gerard continued, “Alerith is known for its enigmatic and gifted individuals. Could she be one of them?”
He was already halfway convinced that Freya was no ordinary person. After all, it was rare for him to come up empty-handed.
Kristian’s expression darkened, his brow furrowing deeply. “Alerith?” he echoed skeptically.
“Yeah, what about it?” Gerard pressed, sensing Kristian’s shifting interest.
“How did you come to the conclusion that she’s from Alerith?” Kristian questioned, curiosity piqued.
“I remember seeing her passport when you were getting married,” Gerard said, his remarkable memory leaving no detail out.
“The address showed she was from Alerith.”
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