Chapter 251: The Chase Is On (1)
Oliver didn’t waste a second. The moment he and Nick arrived at the hospital and joined Georgia and Vicky, he pushed for the CCTV footage from the maternity department, and the request was fast-tracked with the help of the police team that was handling Irene and Frank’s case.
As soon as they got everything they needed and after Oliver questioned and the police questioned some nurses and doctors in the maternity department, the four of them moved straight to Oliver’s office, a short drive away, where his team queued the recording.
They sat in complete silence as the CCTV footage flickered to life. Georgia’s breath hitched the instant a familiar figure appeared on screen. "That’s her. That’s Irene," she said. She leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "But the man with her—that isn’t Frank."
Oliver paused the frame and played it back, zooming in on the way the man walked at Irene’s side. "According to the doctor she spoke to, she introduced this man as her husband," he said, fingers already tapping through a checklist in his head. "If she’s claiming she’s being watched, this could be the reason. He’s practically a bodyguard in plain clothes."
"Lucky they let her keep her appointments," Vicky murmured, scanning the footage with a mixture of curiosity and worry. Even under the fluorescent hospital lights, Irene looked fragile and scared.
Georgia rubbed her temples. "They could use the baby as leverage," she said. "Force the couple to comply with their demands. For what, though?"
Oliver’s jaw tightened. "Money or power," he said. "Wendy’s memory of the conversation pointed us toward money. I’ve already ordered my team to trace every transaction from the documents you gave me. Let them follow the money; it’ll tell us who’s pulling the strings." He looked up, meeting each of their faces. "For now, you can go back to your offices. I’ll handle the rest."
"How are Colleen and Ally, by the way? I was so wrapped up with Irene’s note and Wendy, I forgot to ask when you came back," Georgia’s question cut through the tension.
"They’re fine and heavily guarded," Oliver didn’t hesitate. "I’ll head to the police station after this. Everything got pushed back because of Wendy and the house; most likely, the cops will move on it tomorrow."
Nick’s jaw tightened; he shook his head. "No. If Nancy is behind the death threat to Colleen, we can’t wait until tomorrow. They must have already known the girls weren’t at home and in our custody. We go to the station now and file the case."
Oliver met Nick’s stare, then rose, sliding a neat stack of folders into his briefcase with such efficiency. "Alright. If that’s what you want, let’s move."
They left Oliver’s office right away, almost in haste. At the elevator, Nick turned to Vicky. "You can go back to work—no need to come with us."
Vicky’s grin was feral, not backing down for anything. "No way. I’m not missing this. I want to see the look on that woman’s face when she’s dragged into the station and locked in a cell."
Nick smirked, shaking his head at his sister. "You’re savage, sis."
"Of course!" Vicky shot back, her eyes flashing. "I haven’t forgotten what he did to you and to Georgia. And now Colleen, her sister, and Ally were added to that. She doesn’t deserve to live, really."
*********
At the police station, Oliver and Georgia filed the case with explicitness, Oliver’s calm professionalism cutting through Georgia’s restless energy.
Nick stood at her side like a silent wall, his eyes constantly sweeping the room, as if expecting danger to leap from the corners.
Vicky, restless as ever, leaned against the desk, arms crossed, her glare daring anyone to waste their time.
After the police officers saw the video and proof of the death threat, they didn’t need a court order for a warrant of arrest, as the felony in the video was as clear as day.
The police chief, a seasoned man with sharp eyes, wasted no time. "We’ll send officers to arrest her immediately. Address?"
Oliver provided it, and within minutes, a squad car rolled out.
Almost an hour later, the officers returned—faces grim. The chief approached them, voice low. "She wasn’t at her apartment."
Georgia’s heart dropped.
The chief barked new orders. "Check her workplace. Friends. Family. Everywhere she could’ve gone." His men scrambled, phones already pressed to their ears.
Then Nick’s phone buzzed. He snatched it up, jaw tight. "Liam?" A pause, then his eyes narrowed. "The marina?"
Georgia’s pulse spiked as Nick’s voice turned steel. "Suitcase? And she boarded a boat?"
He cut the call short and turned to the group. "Nancy’s on the run. He got a lead saying he saw her at the marina, boarding a boat in a hurry, with her suitcase. She must have already planned to hide or even flee the country. She must be caught."
Vicky straightened, adrenaline flashing in her expression. "Then what are we waiting for?"
Nick was already moving as he talked back on his phone. "Liam, find out who owns that boat. Vicky—call our people at the port. Tell them to prep the speedboat. I’ll drive it myself."
The police chief overheard, his tone brisk but approving. "I’ll alert the coast guard. And I’ll send some of my men with you."
Nick nodded once before turning to one of his bodyguards. "Take Georgia home. Now."
"No." Georgia’s voice came out sharper than she expected, her determination slamming down like an anchor. "I’m not hiding while everyone else runs after that woman. I’ll go with Vicky."
Nick’s eyes darkened, his stare heavy and weighing her resolve. For a long beat, silence crackled. Finally, he exhaled, the edge of frustration giving way to reluctant respect. He knows better that he can’t stop Georgia.
"Fine," he said, low and firm. He turned back to the bodyguard. "Don’t take your eyes off them. Not for a second. If anything happens, you get them out first. Understood?"
"Yes, sir."
Georgia’s chest burned with nerves, but she didn’t flinch. She and Vicky exchanged a glance—an unspoken vow. They weren’t going to let Nancy escape again.
The chase is on.
*******
Thank you for the gift!
Seana4
Thank you for the Golden Ticket!
Kukeng15