Chapter 111


    Chapter 111 The Castle on the Ind


    A road stretched out before us as Liam got the car moving again. We followed the path until ake


    came into view, with castle–like buildings that looked like they belonged in a medieval painting from


    centuries past, standing majestically in the middle of the water.


    The road to the castle hugged the mountainside, paved with asphalt. I craned my neck to see the cliff


    we had descended–a sheer drop of a hundred meters. That was where Liam’s ‘elevator‘ clung to the


    rock face.


    Settling back into my seat, 1 gazed at the castles across theke and asked, “Is this the only way to get


    to the castle?“!


    Liam nodded. “That’s the general idea. Some might try toe down from the mountains around here,


    but it’s a risky climb. The slopes are steep and not exactly what you’d call safe.”


    I nodded in understanding. The ce was ringed by rugged mountains, enclosing the vastke. It was


    the kind of spot where only the rich would think to build their grand castles.


    Once we got inside, I could tell this ce was a fortress of secrecy. If the cops ever tried to dig up here,


    they would hit a dead end–no way they could sneak in.


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    It made sense why Officer Jackson had called this spot tricky for the police.


    We rolled up to a bridge where a guy was waiting. As we pulled to a stop, he strolled over.


    dirt


    Liam flicked him a business card, and the guy took it with a nod, then took over the parking duties. We


    crossed the bridge and made a beeline for the castle.


    This castle was a maze of twists and turns, but the entrance was just a staircase. Liam had obviously


    been here before. He caught my wary look and shed me a grin. “No need to worry. It’s all modern on


    the inside—no vampires or bats hanging around.”


    I cracked up. “How’d you guess I was thinking that?”


    He let out a light chuckle. “That’s what the books and movies always go for creepy castles to set the


    spooky scene.”


    He had a point.


    Chatting away, we stepped into the castle, and it was not the least bit eerie.


    Beyond the old–school facade, it was as modern as any other building. The ground floor was alive with


    chatter, and folles were having a st with their chips at the card tables.


    A guy in a suit, belly leading the way, noticed use in and beamed at Liam. “Mr. Young, what a


    surprise! What brings you to our neck of the woods?”


    Liam gave a small nod. “Mr. Ziegler, I heard Mr. Lanier’s back in town. I’m here to catch up. Is he


    around?”


    The man paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his face, but he quickly pped on a grin and said,


    What are you talking about, Mr. Young? My humble spot here isn’t exactly a ma for the big shots.


    You’re pulling my leg, right? Plus, everyone knows Mr. Lanier took off years ago. No way he’sing


    back!”


    Liam let out a chuckle. “Really? Because I could’ve sworn I saw him a couple of days ago. At Madam


    Young’s birthday party, he sent over a gift. I just wanted to drop by and say thanks. You’re not trying to


    give me the cold shoulder, are you, Mr. Ziegler?”


    Mr. Ziegler’s face went through a whole gymnastics routine of emotions before he managed to say, Mr.


    Lanier’s back for real? Let me just check on that.” He pretended to be all flustered. “You see how


    swamped I am? I can’t even keep track of things.”


    Even someone like me, who was not the best at reading between the lines, could tell Mr. Ziegler was


    dodging the question. That guy was a piece of work.


    He put on quite the act, pretending to call someone. Whether it was a real call or just for show, nob*dy


    knew. There he was, nodding and talking into the phone. After he hung up, he turned to Liam with a


    big, fake smile. “Mr. Lanier, that sneaky guy, didn’t even drop me a line abouting back. Mr. Young,


    why don’t you head up to the second floor and chill for a bit? Mr. Lanier will be here any


    minute


    He waved us toward the stairs, and Liam followed him up to a cozy little tea room. Mr. Ziegler was all


    bows and smiles as he served Liam some tea, shot me a quick look, and then scooted out with that


    same forced smile.


    As soon as he left, I took the chance to scope out the ce. The castle was huge. If Noah did bring


    someone here, where in the world would he stash them?


    “Stop looking. Noah’s no dummy. If he’s up to no good with a girl, he wouldn’t hide her where she could


    be found so easily,” Liam said, sipping his tea with a graceful air.


    I knew Noah was too clever to leave someone out in the open, but when I was worried, my mind would


    be a mess. Plus, there was something about this ce that gave me the creeps. It was just too eerie.