Yet Brett, who had owed so much to her father, was nowhere to be seen.
It didn’t make sense.
Nicole remembered how her mother often spoke of Brett’s humble beginnings and how her father had extended a hand to help him rise.
Brett had repaid that kindness tenfold, working harder than anyone else, often stayingte into the night, determined to prove himself.
Every year, around the holidays, her father would invite Brett and his family over for a festive dinner, always slipping them generous gifts as tokens of appreciation.
Nicole vaguely recalled that Brett’s youngest daughter had health issues, though the exact ailment escaped her.
She knew the treatments were costly.
Brett had spent most of his earnings on his daughter’s medical bills, aside from purchasing a modest home.
While Nicole’s father had offered financial aid, Brett, a man of pride, declined anything he didn’t earn through hisbor.
He insisted his sry was sufficient for his daughter’s needs.
So given their close bond, it was bizarre that Brett hadn’t attended her father’s funeral.
Everyone else hade, even those with only a passing acquaintance with her father, like casual employees.
Brett’s no-show felt like a deliberate omission.
After the upheaval within the Lawrence family, Brett had vanishedpletely from Nicole’s life.
At that time, Nicole was too consumed by her own grief to notice his disappearance.
Now, the more she thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed.
Nicole turned to Ethel with anxious eyes.
“I can’t pinpoint where Brett is right now, but I do remember his home address.
”
Ethel’s response was immediate and decisive.
“Give it to me.
I’ll check it out after work.
”
Officially tracing Brett’s whereabouts would have required a mountain of paperwork, a slow and cumbersome process, especially for an old case.
Nicole giving the address directly was a faster and more efficient route.
Plus, investigating after hours meant no bureaucratic interference.
Nicole scribbled the address on a scrap of p
aper and hesitated before handing it over.
“Can Ie with you?”
Nicole needed to know if her father’s death had hidden facets.
Brett undoubtedly held some answers, and a chilling suspicion gnawed at her.
What if her father’s death wasn’t a suicide?
Ethel noticed the worry in Nicole’s eyes.
“Miss Lawrence, it’s not just about finding Brett.
It could be dangerous.
”
Nicole squared her shoulders, a steely resolve settling over her.
“I can handle it.
I’ll follow your lead, I promise.
I won’t get in your way.
”
Ethel studied Nicole for a moment, weighing the risks.
She thought it over and finally nodded.
“Alright, but you must do exactly as I say.
I know you’re older, but experience counts here.
”
Nicole nodded earnestly.
“I understand.
I’ll do as you say.
”
“Good,” Ethel replied, ncing at her watch.
“We don’t have much time.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.
Your father’s case was closed as a suicide, and the economic fraud case linked to it is almost out of its records retention period.
If we don’t find what we need by year’s end, the evidence will be destroyed.
”
The fraud case had kept surveince footage on file, but with the case closed, those records were on borrowed time.
Without them, convicting anyone would be nearly impossible.
Nicole understood the urgency.
“I get it.
”
Ethel then shifted topics.
“Did youe today because of the issue with the Hampton family’s youngdy?”