Chapter 207: Chapter 207 The Investigators’ Visit
Caroline’s POV
Around four in the afternoon,I was reviewing the latest financial reports when Nina knocked softly on my door, her cheeks slightly flushed as she peeked inside.
"Luna Caroline, there are investigators here to see you," she said nervously.
"Investigators?" I asked, finding it odd she’d mentioned more than one.
Nina nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear nervously. "They said it’s about the Howard case. Should I send them in?"
"Yes, please," I replied, straightening my desk and saving my work.
As Nina turned to leave, Draven appeared in the doorway. He placed a hand on my shoulder as two men entered—one tall with striking blue eyes that immediately zeroed in on Nina with unusual interest, and the other slightly shorter with a more serious demeanor.
"Magnus! Jace! Thank you for being considerate enough to take my mate’s statement here," Draven greeted them warmly.
"It’s our pleasure, Alpha Draven," Magnus answered with formal politeness."And thank you again for the wedding invitation. It was truly a beautiful celebration."
"You helped save my mate when she was in danger. You deserved to witness our wedding," Draven said, putting his arm around me. "Let’s handle this in my office, sweetheart."
I couldn’t help but notice how Jace’s gaze lingered on Nina as she excused herself.
His behavior told me he was very interested in her. Looks like this would be tonight’s topic for girls’ night.
Once settled in Draven’s office, Investigator Magnus powered up his laptop while Jace prepared to take notes. They began with standard questions about my connection to Howard and the brothers who had kidnapped Liam.I carefully recounted everything I could remember from my captivity.
"And you don’t recall anything else that might help us locate Howard?" Magnus asked.
"Unfortunately not," I replied, thinking hard. "I do remember overhearing Dennis tell his brother he couldn’t reach someone called ’Sky.’ But I have no idea who that might be."
"Sky?" Magnus mused, tapping his pen against his notepad. "Could be an alias for someone... perhaps Linda? It’s possible." He exchanged a meaningful look with Jace. "Did they mention anything else that might give us a lead?"
"Daniel told Dennis to dispose of the cell phone," I recalled. "He mentioned they’d only used that number to contact me and had destroyed my phone. He seemed confident it couldn’t be traced. I also heard Daniel say that kidnapping Liam was just bait to get to me."
"What do you mean?" Magnus pressed.
"They didn’t know Liam is Draven’s son because we only discovered that ourselves shortly before the kidnapping," I explained, giving them a brief version of how I’d become pregnant and how Draven had eventually learned the truth.
"I conducted the background investigation on Caroline for Alpha Draven," Jace informed Magnus. "I’m familiar with the story. Magnus, were any phones confiscated from the brothers?"
"No, we found no devices," Magnus replied with a frown.
"Perhaps we should revisit where Caroline was held and search for those phones," Jace suggested. "I recovered two phones in Maplewood – Caroline’s damaged one and Marcus’s,but we never found Linda’s. And nothing on the recovered devices led us to Howard."
"Good thinking. Let’s organize another search of Caroline’s prison location. Can the Maplewood pack enforcement conduct another sweep of the property where they took Liam?" Magnus proposed.
"Absolutely. I’ll coordinate with them," Jace assured him.
"Caroline’s phone was recovered, correct?" Magnus inquired.
"Yes, one of my IT specialists has it," Draven confirmed. "I’ll have him bring it over."
Minutes later, Leo entered with my broken phone sealed in an evidence bag. He explained that while most data was lost, he’d managed to extract the call log. On the day of my kidnapping, I’d received just one call from an unknown number that he’d tried to trace without success. However, they’d managed to approximate my location by identifying the nearest signal tower to where the phone had last connected.
"Yes, Dennis only called me once that day," I confirmed.
Leo handed the phone and a card with the number to Investigator Magnus, who thanked him.
"This is excellent. How could I have overlooked this?" Magnus chastised himself. "Caroline, I have one more question."
"Yes, Investigator?"
"Marcus, who was involved in your son’s kidnapping – you two were in a relationship, correct?" Magnus wanted to verify.
"Unfortunately, yes. For four years," I admitted. "We broke up almost four years ago, about a month before the masked ball where I unknowingly met Draven."
"That’s quite a significant relationship," Magnus observed. "What did he do for a living while you were together?"
"When we started dating, Marcus was nineteen and I was fifteen," I explained, the memories feeling distant now. "He was ambitious but lazy. After failing his college entrance exams, he started working at a local auto shop. He did general maintenance and valet parking. He complained about it constantly, but it was Eleanor’s father who got him the job, so I kept encouraging him not to disappoint Alpha Gerald."
"Why do you ask, Investigator?" I questioned.
"Because Marcus claimed he’s known Howard for over three years but refused to elaborate. Do you recall him mentioning Howard or meeting anyone suspicious during that time?"
I thought carefully but couldn’t remember hearing Howard’s name before working at Thorne Enterprises.
"I really don’t know, Investigator," I replied honestly.
"You said Marcus worked at an auto shop?" Jace asked, and I nodded. "What kind of services did they provide?"
"Basic maintenance, valet parking for luxury cars, detailing... Why?" I asked.
"Because high-end vehicles sometimes require specialized maintenance," Draven said softly, his eyes darkening as realization dawned.
"I don’t understand," I said, confused by the sudden tension in the room.
"My parents’ car, Caroline," Draven spoke quietly, pain evident in his voice. "The one that crashed when they were attacked by rogues."
"Oh goddess," I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth. "You think Marcus might have..."
"It’s a possibility we need to explore," Jace said, explaining to Magnus about the death of Draven’s parents in what appeared to be a rogue wolf attack after their car mysteriously went off a cliff. The theory that Marcus might have tampered with the vehicle suddenly seemed horrifyingly plausible.
"Caroline, please try to remember anything else," Magnus urged.
"But Draven and I attended the masquerade ball that night, and it was also the day of Marcus’s wedding to my cousin," I argued, unable to believe that my ex had been involved in the death of my mate’s parents. "He couldn’t have been at the auto shop."
"Not impossible if the sabotage was done earlier," Jace countered. "Any other details you recall?"
"About three months before the ball, I was still with Marcus," I remembered suddenly. "He came home excited one day because he’d received certification in high-end foreign car maintenance. He said it could lead to a promotion and better pay. He started taking specialized courses and seemed enthusiastic, but I don’t know if he completed them since we broke up a month before the ball."
"You mentioned Alpha Gerald helped him get the job. Why?" Magnus inquired.
"Eleanor and I have been friends forever, and her parents have always been fond of me," I explained. "I was upset because Marcus couldn’t find work after failing his exams. Eleanor spoke with her father, who knows the owner of the auto shop, and that’s how Marcus got hired."
"Interesting," Magnus noted. "It would be helpful to speak with someone who attended the wedding."
"My parents were there," I offered.
"Your parents attended the wedding of an ex who betrayed you?" Magnus looked confused.
"He betrayed me and married my cousin. Her mother is my mother’s sister," I clarified.
"Goddess above, that’s quite something!" Magnus’s expression was a comical mixture of shock and disbelief.
"Indeed. And the worst part? I thought he was going to propose to me," I said with a bitter laugh. "Instead, I found out he was marrying my cousin Selina. He had been seeing her behind my back for months."
"Honestly, the man is a fool," Jace commented. "I’ve met your cousin – an unpleasant person who doesn’t compare to you." He quickly added, "With all due respect, Alpha."
"No offense taken. My mate is exceptional," Draven affirmed, squeezing my hand.
"As they say, sometimes what seems like a loss is actually the universe setting you free," I remarked with a smile.
"That’s certainly true. This Marcus shows poor character," Magnus agreed. "Would you mind sharing how your relationship began?"
"I was too young and naive," I admitted. "A friend of that same cousin introduced us at a party. I wasn’t particularly interested, but at my cousin’s birthday celebration, she practically pushed us together until we kissed. After that, he pursued me relentlessly. He seemed kind and attentive, so we started dating. Later, even though I was unhappy with certain aspects of our relationship, I convinced myself I loved him. That’s why it lasted so long."
"I understand. It’s fortunate it ended, allowing you to find your true mate," Magnus observed.
"Very true," I agreed, smiling at Draven.
"Caroline, would you mind providing your parents’ contact information and Alpha Gerald’s as well?" Magnus requested. "We should speak with them."
"Of course," I replied, taking paper from Draven’s desk to write down the information.
"One final question," Jace interjected. "I understand Marcus no longer works at the auto shop. Do you know why and when he left?"
"From what I heard, he was fired shortly after his marriage, but I don’t know the reason," I answered.
"Thank you very much for your time, Luna," Magnus said gratefully.
Ryan chose that moment to enter the room as the Investigators were preparing to leave. With his trademark casual charm, he greeted them.
"Well, well, so much authority in one room!" Ryan joked as he shook hands with the Investigators. "Good to see you gentlemen. My favorite redhead just mind-linked me about girls’ night tonight, Draven. Is your mate already tired of your face?"
"Hardly, my friend. I keep my woman thoroughly satisfied," Draven replied with a smirk. "The emergency gathering is actually courtesy of our esteemed Investigator Jace!"
"Me?" Jace looked genuinely confused, and I narrowed my eyes at Draven.
"Draven, Nina didn’t ask you to broadcast her business," I chided him.
"She didn’t ask for secrecy either," Draven defended himself.
"She also didn’t tell you to announce it to everyone," I countered.
"We’ll find out anyway, Carrie," Ryan laughed. "I just hope I don’t get blamed for the Investigator’s actions." He turned to the others. "Since our ladies are abandoning us tonight, how about a poker game at my place? You’re both welcome to join."
"I appreciate the invitation, but it’s my mother-in-law’s birthday," Magnus smiled apologetically. "After thirty years of marriage, my mate makes me sleep on the couch if I miss these events."
"That sounds like an excellent policy," I remarked pointedly at Draven, making everyone laugh.
The men finalized their plans while the Investigators said their goodbyes, leaving with Ryan. I returned to my office and spotted the pie still sitting on my desk. I checked my schedule and noticed our upcoming video conference with Chinese investors. Perfect timing for what I had planned for my Alpha...