Chapter 1155
“I’ve got a plan, but it might be a bit rough on you p>
Ridley responded without missing a beat, “No worries, no worries. As long as we can save Winona, I’d give my life for it! Just tell me what to do p>
Tarquin paused for a moment before speaking again.
By the time Tarquin got home, it was already late at night. Before he even got out of the car, his phone buzzed with a message. [Tarquin, are you still awake p>
He called back immediately, “Talk to me p>
“We’ve scoped out the Thorne estate. There’s nobody guarding it, but there is a cellar p>
“But the cellar’s empty. I’ve sent the pictures to your phone p>
Tarquin glanced down, opening the pictures. The cellar looked damp and dark, exactly as Sarah had described, with heavy iron chains clinging to the walls. There was also a stainless steel bowl, crusted with dirt, as if it hadn’t been used in
ages.
It seemed Winona had indeed been kept at the Thorne estate. But she’d been moved elsewhere since.
“Search the cellar thoroughly. Look for hair, anything that could be used as evidence. Bring that food bowl back p>
“Got it p>
Tarquin headed upstairs to the bedroom. Elysia was still awake, her eyes full of questions. As soon as he walked in, she asked anxiously, “Any news about Winona p>
Seeing her so fragile broke his heart. He gently touched her cheek, speaking softly, “We’ve got leads from the Thorne estate. Winona isn’t there now, but there’s a cellar where she might have been held p>
“I’ve got someone collecting DNA samples. If we find evidence that Winona was kept there, the Thornes won’t be able to deny involvement p>
“We can use them to trace Winona’s whereabouts and hopefully make them testify against the real culprit p>
Elysia frowned, “What about the Thornes? What are they saying p>
“They’re tight-lipped, just like Sarah. They clam up at the mention of Zane p>
“But they haven’t lost their minds. Don’t worry, I’ve got a way to make them talk p>
“I visited Winona’s father this evening p>
Elysia’s eyes widened in surprise, then her brows furrowed in concern.
“Ridley must be devastated. He loves Winona so much, and he’s always treated Zane like his own son p>
To Ridley Caroline, Winona was his world, with Zane a close second. With his daughter missing and his son-in-law a suspect, Ridley’s heart must be in turmoil.
Tarquin sighed quietly, “He’s really upset, but don’t worry too much. For Winona’s sake, they’ll hold on p>
“You need to take care of yourself too. Be strong and healthy for when Winona comes back. We don’t want her worrying about you p>
Elysia nodded, her voice catching in her throat, “Yeah. Did you tell Ridley about what happened to Winona p>
“Not just that. The next part of the plan requires Ridley to play a role, so I had to talk to him first p>
“Ridley needs to play a role p>
“Yes.” Tarquin explained the plan.
Elysia listened, surprise and worry etched across her face, “Are you sure this will work? What if Ridley gets put in harm’s way and the bad guys don’t even take the bait? He’s no spring chicken, and he’s got his pride p>
“It’ll work, trust me p>
After all, Zane only cares about money and power unless he’s somehow innocent of this whole mess. If he’s involved, he’ll definitely take the bait!