As we approach the city, I release my foot pressure on the accelerator, reducing our speed. Blackstone City is the last place I need to be right now and I do not want to speed into the Godforsaken city.

Catching Vera's hand as she changes the radio from newsworthy station to the one they're playing music, hip hop. I glance at her to the case file of Maggie Reyes opened on her lap. During the six hours flight here, Eric briefed us on everything there is to know about it and things the cops have done. The case file is mostly empty except from the case details, the cops had done an undercover search and called every hospital in the city and she hasn't turned up. He gave me full authority over the case and asked for update every five hours. He also offered help if I ever need it.

"What do you think? Did she run away or...?" Vera asks, reaching down to grab her tote bag. "Why did they wait a week before reporting her missing?"

I believe in evidence. I'm not paid to ponder, I'm being paid to find her. If she ran away, her parents can deal with her when I find her.

"How did you end up with Eric?" Ignoring the question and asking the one that's been on my mind since that old man walked into my office. "You were supposed to be on your way home."

Vera is as much a workaholic as me, except she has a family she cares for and hasn't seen in four years. She'd been missing home for a while and she finally got the chance to leave, but she blew it for Eric. He must have convinced her of the case, which is what I don't get. Vera, of all people, knows I don't take missing people's case, but she wants to be a part of it. She wanted me to take it and I don't understand why she made that decision.

She brings out two bubblegums as she answers. "He called me." She unwraps one. "Figured you wouldn't pick his calls." She brings her hand to my lips. My eyes lower to see the gum tuck in between her thumb and index fingers. The coffee flavor hit my nose.

My lips part to answers but she pushes the gum into my mouth. I look at her to find her smiling at me. I let out a small chuckle and roll the gum in my mouth before speaking. "He wasn't wrong."

Eighteen years and no contact. He knew I wouldn't have picked it. Going to Vera was a clever move, a stupid one, but clever.

"Are you okay?" She asks, the huge signboard beside the road that welcome people to the city comes to view, the one that says: Welcome to Blackstone City, the place where peace reigns.

It's the same shit the mayor promotes. Where peace reigns? They shouldn't make me barf.

It's the day after New Year, one would think God will have mercy on the city and give them some light and snow. Vera rolls down her window. The breeze that comes in carries harsh memories of my past and scent of my sins.

"It doesn't snow in Blackstone?" Vera asks the question she already knows the answers to. "It's a coastal city and yet it's hot." That's because the people living there are experiencing hell on earth. "I can't wait to see the foggy nights and experience the gritty and mysterious side of Blackstone City."

Vera still doesn't understand the danger behind 'Be careful what you wish for'.

As we drive by the city, seeing the vibrant arts scenes and eclectic neighborhoods on the way, I can't help but notice how much that's changed since the last time I was here. The city was founded in the late 19th century and the architecture then was Gothic with focus on dark stone and steel, now it's all modern styles, Gothic revival and Mix of art decor.

My fingers tighten against the steering wheel as I watch Vera looking out the window, taking in the city. She's in awe of it, if only she knew.

"Vera, this place its..." the words die in my mouth, but the flavor of the bubblegum brings a sense of comfort.

From my peripheral vision, I see Vera turn in my direction. "I know you don't want to be here," she starts.

"Then why were you so supportive?"

There's only one person I can always count on to have my back, and it's Vera, but she didn't in my office. She knows how I feel about coming here and taking missing people's cases, and she supported doing both. I want to know why.

She blows her bubblegum before answering. "You taught me the past should stay in the past but for you." She shakes her head, "your past is weighing your present down, it's time to confront it."

That is what this is about confronting my past.

"It's not that easy," I say because it's not about me being stuck in the past, unable to move on, it's just a past I want in the past.

Following the GPS, I drive past Downtown Blackstone and lands on a narrow road that leads to our final location.

"If there's one thing I've learned about you, its you never do things you don't want to do, remember when you were threatened to drop the Bellwether case," she reminds me in a cheerful tone as the memory is both fun and hard on the both of us.

I nod. "They said they would destroy us both." It was a tough case and nobody wanted us digging into the defense minister.

"He broke your leg, and that didn't stop you," she reminds me. I glance at her for the briefest second before facing the road. The smile I find on her face melts me. It's not every time I get carried away, but Vera, she manages to get me every time. "If you didn't want to be here, Knox, you wouldn't, irregardless of the Commissioner's silent threat."

She knows me too well.

"You caught that?"

"I did," she admits. "I'm here with you, Knox. and there's no place I'd rather be."

My lips curls in a smile at her words. "I know." I need this before getting wrapped up in Blackstone's nonsense and the missing girl case.

"I've never asked, but why do you never take missing people's case?"

My finger becomes even tighter, my knuckles around the steering wheels turning white. "It's personal." The words come out harsher than I want.

But Vera doesn't seem to let it get to her. "You're a good tracker, I'm sure we'll find Maggie in no time."

"I hope so," I mutter under my breath, not wanting Vera to hear.

"Isn't it about time you tell me why you don't take the missing people's case?"

Keeping my words to myself, my mouth moves as I chew the bubblegum. There's no need for me to tell her why Blackstone City will tell her in time, she will see how evil this city is, just like I have.

The earlier we find Maggie, the faster we leave this place.

"Who are we about to meet?" I ask, switching topic to why we're here.

Vera gets to work, opening the case file. "Reyes family member: Mayor Marcel Reyes, Maggie's father. Inez Campbell-Reyes, her mother. And their staff: Olga, housekeeper, Irina, Olga's daughter, Chad, the gardener, but doesn't live in the estate, and the security team."

"How many people were in the compound the day she went missing?" I ask.

"It's not stated here."

Like I said, useless.

"Why do you think they waited a week before reporting her missing? This isn't Home Alone, they don't-can't forget about someone for an entire week."

"And that's what we're here to find out. Sit back, Vera, and let's do what we do best, peel of the layers until we reach the truth."

The Reyes family estate is located in the affluent suburb of Blackstone City. The gate with intricate ironwork open wide as we approach, allowing us in. We drive the winding driveway lined with meticulously manicured lawns and garden. Beyond the garden, a head pops out, revealing a young black man stands, he faces the sun as he wipes his forehead with the back of his hand, his other hand gripping the lawn mower. Sitting between his lips is a cigarette.

Looking away from him to see where I'm going. The family lives in a grand, modern and classical mansion with sleek architecture and expensive glass windows. Pulling up in front of the house, where a huge bald black man in suit is waiting, I turn off the ignition and face Vera. "Time to get to work."

She nods and hums before handing me the wrapper of the bubblegum and purses her lips, gesturing for me to pull out the gum. I roll my eyes because of her constant mothering. I do as she says and undo my seat belt before opening the door and letting myself out of the car.

The sound of the car slam reaches me as I watch Vera get out, slinging her backpack on her shoulder. "Welcome, the Mayor and his family have been expecting you, detective," the man says in a thick, deep tone. "Nicholas Specks, Head of Security," he introduces himself and extends his hand.

I take his hand and shake. "Knox," giving him the name I want to be addressed as. "And this is my partner, Vera Svez-Svaz--" the name tumbles on my tongues as I struggle to pronounce her last name. "Ocean, Vera Ocean."

Vera scoffs beside me and takes Nicholas' hand next. "Vera Szervánszky, not a detective. I'm his tech expert."

They shake and separate. Vera throws a rotten look my way and I try not to recoil at how heavy her gaze is.

"Let me take you to Mayor Reyes," Nicholas offers and leads us inside.

"Would you mind walking through what happened?" I demand, as we follow him.

Nicholas slows down to meet our pace, hanging between Vera and I. "Her absence was noticed yesterday morning. My team and I have searched the entire house and covered the ground, including the lake, and she hasn't shown up yet."

Might be a slip of tongue or a clue.

He opens the front door, a solid wood with a rich, dark stain adorned with elegant hardware and a decorative door knocker, flank by tall, slender windows that allows natural light to flood the interior. Upon entering the house, we're greeted by soft clicks of our feet on the hardwood floor as we listen to Nicholas. My eyes do a quick scan of the foyer. High ceiling at least fourteen feet with crown molding, crystal chandelier hanging in the middle of the room. A sweeping staircase curves upward to the right.

"You said 'yet' what do you mean by that?" I ask.

Nicholas keeps his stoic poise, but I see the flash of disappointment in his eyes. Who is he disappointed at? Himself, for letting that slip or is something else?

He answers nonetheless. "This isn't her first time running away, sir."

He thinks she ran away.

"Running away?" I repeat, my eyes narrowing. "What do you mean?"

He stops walking and shifts his shoulder uncomfortably. "Well, it's not the first time she's... disappeared without a trace, sir. She has a habit, and she knows all the blind spot, which is how she's able to evade the CCTV."

Interesting.

"Disappeared?" I press, my tone firm but controlled. "How many times? And for how long?"

I see Vera bringing out her small investigation notebook from her backpack.

Nicholas hesitates before responding. "Three times, sir. Each time for a few days. She always returns, though."

This must be why they didn't report her missing, or this must be their excuse.

"Did she leave any notes or messages?"

"Yes, sir."

"When did she first leave?" I ask.

Nicholas nods, collecting his thoughts. "Let me see... the first time was about six months ago. She left a note saying she needed space. The second time was three months ago, no note, but she called to say she was safe. The third time... well, that was a month ago. She didn't leave note and we couldn't reach her."

"Okay," I say.

Vera clears her throat, moving my eyes to the corner to see her tilting her head, the gesture she makes when she wants me to press on. I shake my head and she rolls her eyes like she knows my job better than me.

Nicholas leads us to the adjacent room visible from the foyer, to the right is the formal living room with floor-to-ceiling windows with sheer curtains, where there's a man with his back to us, pacing near it, his voice low and urgent as he speaks on the phone.

Nicholas stands discreetly nearby, while Vera and I wait in patient. My gaze roams the elegant living room with cream-colored walls, rich hardwood flooring, plush sectional sofa, impressive modern act and soft light from table lamps and a pendant lighting. The family picture hanging in the middle room where the television is supposed to be above the fireplace, and other pictures on the stool next to it.

"I don't care how it happened, Jonathan. The fact is, two hundred thousand is missing from our office funds. I want a full audit before the day runs out. I need to know who's responsible and how this slipped by me..." he pauses. "No, I won't tolerate any excuses. Find out what happened and fix it."

The man signals to Nicholas with a subtle hand gesture. He jerks his head in our direction without facing us. "Show our guests around, please. Make sure they're comfortable, I'll join them soon."

This must be Mayor Reyes.

Nicholas nods discreetly. "Right away, sir." He comes to where we're standing. "The Mayor will be a few minutes. Would you like a tour of the estate while you wait? "

I nod. "That sounds great, thank you."

As Nicholas escorts us out of the living room, Mayor Reyes continues his conversation, his tone growing more resolute. "I don't care what it takes, Jonathan. The election is in three weeks. I want that money accounted for and those responsible held accountable. This is a matter of public trust. What do you think will happen if Ishmael hears about this?..." his voice fades as we move farther away from the living room.

To the left of the foyer is where the library with built-in bookshelves and a comfortable reading nook. "Does she spend time here?" I ask Nicholas.

In which he respond with, "she's rarely here, she has a reading nook and a floor-ceiling bookshelf in her room."

We leave and go straight ahead. The doorway leading to spacious open-concept Gourmet kitchen, with top-of-the-line appliance. I notice Vera scribbling her notebook.

He shows us the private theater and game room next before moving to the indoor swimming pool and fitness center. We stop in front of the private elevator. He points at and explains the staircase connect the three floor.

"Where does that door leads?" Vera asks, pointing at the locked door under the staircase.

"The basement."

"Can we see it?" she presses.

Nicholas shifts uncomfortably again. "The key is with Mrs. Campbell-Reyes."

Vera's mouth forms an 'o' as she nods.

"Let me show you the back," he offers and goes ahead.

Vera hangs back and leans closer to whisper her question. "Do you know what all those rooms he showed us have in common?"

"She rarely hangs there, and there's not a single picture of her in the living room." Vera's mouth gapes at me in surprise. "How long have you worked with me?" I tap her nose and follow Nicholas.

"Hey Nicholas, before you show us the back. Can you show us the surveillance room?"

*****

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hello, my fellow mystery lovers! How are we doing today?

What do you guys think of this chapter? 

Let me ask you all Vera's question: Did she run away or did something else happen to her?

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