Chapter 960


    “Follow the breadcrumbs, and they’ll lead you somewhere,” dered Captain Payne with a brisk tone,


    rallying his team for the search.


    “I’ming with you,” Richard piped up, hurrying to keep pace. The abduction of Thssa was


    partially on his hands; if he didn’t. chip in with the rescue and Lysander got wind of it, there would be


    hell to pay.


    This was his shot at redemption, and he wasn’t about to let it slip through his fingers.


    Besides, it was hispse, not ensuring Thssa got home safe, that had led to this mess in the first


    ce.


    If he had put his foot down earlier, not letting Charlotte run amok and insisted on escorting Thssa


    home, they wouldn’t be in this predicament now.


    Richard followed Captain Payne’s lead, steering the car to the foot of the winding mountain trail. Upon


    reaching a fork in the road, uncertainty settled in – they weren’t sure which path to take. Fortunately,


    their numbers allowed them to split up and cover both directions.


    “You take a couple of guys and head that way. I’ll go this way. Stay in touch,” Captain Payne instructed


    with calm efficiency. “Got it,” Richard replied eagerly, falling in line.


    The teams diverged, engines humming as they ascended the treacherous mountain paths. It was pitch


    ck, the road twisted and perilous, demanding the utmost attention to avoid a tumble down the


    slopes.


    Richard gripped the steering wheel, his focusser-sharp on the road ahead. All was quiet until his


    phone rang with a call from Captain Payne.


    “My K9’s found a piece of ck fabric. What was Thssa wearing today?” Captain Payne inquired.


    “A white blouse, ck skirt,” Richard answered promptly, the image of Thssa’s outfit etched in his


    memory.


    “Get over here, check if this fabric’s from her skirt,” Captain Paynemanded.


    “On it, I’m turning around right now,” Richard replied, quickly spinning the car at the next junction.


    He sped to Captain Payne’s location, where he was presented with the torn piece of ck fabric. It was


    clearly ripped off intentionally. Richard’s face turned somber. “No doubt, that’s from Thssa’s


    clothes.”


    “Let’s move, up the mountain!” Captain Payne, with the K9 in tow, hopped into his SUV, tearing up the


    incline.


    If Thssa’s clothing was here, the kidnapper had taken her this way. Without hesitation, Richard


    followed suit.


    The team arrived at a row of dpidated houses atop the hill. Captain Payne and his squad drew their


    pistols, approaching stealthily.


    They kicked doors open with caution, but the insides were barren, not a soul in sight.


    A chairy overturned on the floor, alongside ropes used for binding.


    Captain Payne picked up the ropes, letting the K9 catch the scent, and then presented it with the ck


    fabric.


    The dog barked twice, and Captain Payne immediately understood – the rope carried the fabric’s


    scent. This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    “This is where they held Thssa,” he deduced..


    Anxiety clutched at Richard’s heart as he urged, “Then let’s keep looking; she must be nearby.”


    He led a team from house to house, kicking in doors only to find emptiness, cigarette butts, and soda


    cans-a sure sign of a male


    presence.


    With no sign of Thssa in any of the houses, Richard felt his tension mounting, panic setting in.


    What should he do? If they couldn’t find Thssa, should he call Lysander with the grim news of her


    abduction?