Chapter 217: Chapter 217 Howard’s Trail
Jace ’s POV
The Alpha Council Investigation Department was never dull. I’d been part of the team for a month, adapting quickly to my role. My colleagues appreciated my methods, especially my partnership with Senior Investigator Magnus. We’d become friends, supporting each other whenever possible. He treated me like a son—a dignified man with an impeccable career and spotless reputation. My only frustration was our failure to capture Howard yet.
"Morning, sir!" I walked into Magnus’s office carrying a box of cheese croissants that he adored.
"My boy, you’re a lifesaver!" He grinned broadly. "Everyone here says so. For that alone, I’ll give you something special with your coffee."
Magnus stood, poured two cups of coffee and handed one to me. He settled back in his chair, bit into a croissant and closed his eyes in appreciation.
"These are addictive! You and the boss lady got me hooked." Magnus had started calling Eleanor "boss lady" after hearing how she took charge during Caroline’s kidnapping. Since becoming friends with me, they’d met several times. He was completely charmed by her.
"Those women know quality," I smiled, thinking about Nina. "What have you got for me today?"
"Remember that crybaby Ella?" Magnus asked.
"How could I forget? Seeing that woman cry was one of the most uncomfortable experiences of my life." My comment made him laugh.
"The dungeon warden contacted me yesterday. She wants to see you."
"Goddess above, what did I do to deserve this punishment? Do I really have to go?"
"I think so. She claims to have important information. The warden mentioned she’s been requesting this meeting for weeks. He ignored her initially, but says she seems different now. Even asked to be moved to a different cell away from Linda." This detail caught my attention.
"I’ll head over right now," I decided.
At the pack dungeon, I spoke with the warden who confirmed Ella did appear changed. She was cooperating with other inmates and even working in the craft program. Interesting development. He allowed us to use his office for the meeting. When she entered, the difference was visible immediately. Her hair was pulled back neatly and she spoke softly without her usual shrill tone.
"Thank you for coming, Investigator." She sat across from me.
"I’m curious, Ella. You seem different. What changed?"
"We adapt or we die, don’t we? I was a spoiled, entitled girl who thought everything should revolve around me. I did terrible things. But now I’m here, serving my sentence."
"I’m glad you’re reflecting," I said sincerely. "What can I do for you?"
"You can arrest my mother’s murderer!" Her eyes welled with tears.
"I’m truly sorry about your mother. But you know who’s responsible, right?" I asked carefully.
"My father—that monster. I can’t understand how he could kill his mate after so many years together, then abandon his only daughter. He’s a coward. I want him locked in the dungeon, rotting away." Ella’s pain was raw as she finally acknowledged her father’s true nature.
"We’re trying, but he has extensive resources for hiding. We suspect he may have fled pack territory entirely."
"He hasn’t left. I guarantee it."
"How can you be so certain?"
"He won’t go anywhere until he kills Alpha Draven and his family." She spoke with a chilling conviction that raised the fur on me.
"Do you have any idea where we might find him?"
"He has a small apartment where he used to meet that bitch Linda—his side piece. I’ll give you the address. Do you have something to write with?"
"How did we miss finding this property before?"
"It’s registered under a different name. I only know because I suspected he was cheating on my mother and followed him once."
Ella spent the next hour providing every detail she could about her father. Beyond the apartment address, she gave me names of people he trusted and might turn to for help. This was significant progress.
Before leaving, I promised I’d do everything possible to apprehend Howard and would return with updates. She thanked me, and I immediately called Magnus as I left.
Back at headquarters, Magnus had already formulated a strategy. We’d approach quietly and maintain surveillance until we caught the bastard.
The building was an upscale apart-hotel on a busy street. We deployed strategically. One of our officers approached reception and learned Howard was living there under the alias Liam Bennett. The audacity to use the name of the child he kidnapped made my blood boil.
"He’s not here now," Officer Talia reported. "The receptionist said he left thirty minutes ago. I requested security footage—it’s definitely him. Shaved head, grown a beard and mustache."
"Perfect. We’ll continue with the stakeout as planned. Did you get a room key?" I asked. She handed over the key and apartment number. "Alright—Jensen, Morrow, Magnus—let’s search the place."
"It’s hardly a hideout, sir," Talia smirked. "More like a five-star luxury apartment. The fugitive’s living well."
We entered and thoroughly searched the apartment. We discovered documents, notes, multiple phones, a laptop, jewelry, substantial cash, and various bank cards. We confiscated everything. As we were exiting the building, I spotted Howard, signaled to the team, and we pursued. He fled into a parking garage.
We searched every corner of that structure, but Howard had vanished again. The worst part? He wouldn’t return to the apartment now. Still, we left surveillance equipment in the unit and positioned an unmarked vehicle with rotating officers to monitor the location.
Back at headquarters, I called Alpha Draven to brief him on everything, including my visit with Ella.
"She gave you his hiding place?" Draven sounded surprised. "That’s unexpected."
"Ella seems genuinely remorseful," I explained. "Says she wants justice for her mother now."
"Howard’s cunning," Draven growled. "As a senior member of the pack council, he knows all our standard procedures. That’s how he’s evaded us this long."
"We almost had him today," I admitted, frustration evident in my voice. "He must have sensed us somehow. His wolf instincts are sharper than we anticipated."
"Did you find anything useful in his apartment?"
"Several electronic devices we’re analyzing now. I’ll update you the moment we have anything concrete."
"Keep Caroline protected at all costs," Draven ordered, his Alpha authority unmistakable. "Howard won’t stop until he gets revenge."
"We have round-the-clock security on your pack house," I assured him. "Eleanor’s been helping coordinate with additional trusted enforcers."
"Good. Howard’s desperation will make him careless eventually. When that happens, we need to be ready."
After ending the call, I stared at the evidence bags containing Howard’s possessions. The old wolf was more resourceful than we’d given him credit for. He’d been on the council long enough to know exactly how to evade capture.
"He won’t slip through our fingers next time," Magnus said, reading my thoughts.
Howard had threatened my Alpha’s mate and pup. In wolf law, that alone warranted the severest punishment. We would catch him,it was only a matter of time.
I just hoped we’d find him before he made another attempt on Caroline and little Liam. With quadruplets on the way, Draven’s family was more vulnerable than ever. My pack ties demanded I protect them at all costs.
"Get the tech team working on these devices immediately," I told Magnus. "Every minute counts now."