Chapter 422
The old man gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder, “Son, with that lost look on your face, I’d bet she left without saying goodbye”
Owen fell silent, hot wanting to explain.
The man went on, “Don’t bother waiting. She’s not coming back just because you’re standing here.”
Aria arrived at the meeting spot, where Nikolas waved her over. “Turns out the truck driver has a twin brother,” he explained as she approached. “It was his brother’s family who went abroad, not him.”
The Maverick disappearance was a huge deal, but officially it was just another car accident. Everyone involved had given statements and gone on with their lives.
The truck driver, Kristian Farley, had used his brother’s ID, which was why Nikolas hadn’t found anything odd at first.
Now, his suspicion shot up from mild to almost certainty.
“Where is he?” Aria asked.
“This way.” Nikolas replied, leading her down a twisting, narrow alley.
After several turns, they reached an open area. Aria was about to ask more when a man’s voice drifted down om above. She looked up to see a head
poking over the rooftop.
“That’s him,” Nikolas said quietly, “Kristian.”
As soon as Kristian made eye contact with Nikolas, his eyes went wide. He spun around and bolted.
“Kristian!” Nikolas shouted, racing toward the courtyard.
But Aria was faster. in a blur, she scaled the wall and landed gracefully on the rooftop, grabbing Kristian before he could get away.
Within a minute, she reappeared at the edge of the roof, practically dragging Kristian along, and jumped down with him.
He screamed in terror, hitting the ground hard and collapsing in a heap, trembling.
Nikolas, mouth dry, stared at Aria in shock. He’d always known she was tough, but scaling rooftops and throwing needles? Was she some kind of time- traveling assassin?
He quickly recovered. “Alright, Kristian. Time to talk. Tell us exactly what happened that day.”
Kristian, short but burly, pushed himself up, glaring. “I’m calling the police. You two are kidnapping me!”
He spun to make a break for the door–only for three needles to whiz past his face, embedding themselves in the wood. Kristian froze, terror etched on
his face.
Nikolas was just as shaken. This wasn’t a movie–Aria really was that dangerous.
He lowered his voice, menacing, “Back before Mandino City, I was in the business of killing. So it’s simple: you talk, or you die.”
Kristian’s bravado crumbled instantly. “Okay, okay! I’ll talk!”
Aria sauntered over, armis crossed, shooting him a sidelong look. “Open the door.”
He scrambled to comply, nearly falling over himself as he pushed the door open. “After you, ma’am.”
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Charter 422
Aria Grepped inside like the owned the place, not bothering with meaties.
Kristian, shaking, trailed after her, babbling. “I had nothing to do with Maverick’s disappearameet just saw what happened, that’s all
Aria stopped, glanced at Mikelss. “Well What are you waiting for?”
Nikolas snapped out of it and hustled inside, his tone turning serville. “Coming, coming
Ana instructed. “You question him. If he lies, let me know.”
Nikolas was the one who understood the case best, so this was the smartest way.
He hesitated, “Ms. Saxon, aren’t you coming in?”
wait outside and get some air,” Aria replied.
Got it.”
Nikolas followed Kristian inside, wondering if Aria was in an especially bad mood today.
Standing outside, Aria checked her phone:
Owen: [You awake?}
Owen: [Didn’t see your car. Did you go out?]
The two messages were sent half an hour apart.
Aria typed: [Yeah, had some urgent business.]
Owen replied instantly: [Everything fine now?]
Aria: [Yeah, it’s handled.]
Owen: [For a second there, I thought you remembered last night, freaked out, and decided to run out on me. My mistake.]
Aria rubbed her temples, a headache coming on.
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