Chapter 288
Days had passed, and Rain, along with Alexander and his father, had returned to the Lancaster Ancestral Mansion in the capital city. The only ones absent were the two newlywed couples still enjoying their honeymoon.
Rain stayed occupied with a new case. Today, she stepped out of the office to visit a key victim in the hospital, accompanied by Matt. Alexander had insisted that Matt always stay close to her whenever she was out in the field. Having him around didn’t draw suspicion, as it was natural for an investigator to collaborate with a prosecutor during such cases.
Inside the private hospital room, Rain saw the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, Mr. Brown, gently feeding porridge to his wife.
“Sir, Prosecutor Lancaster is here,” one of his men informed him.
Mr. Brown turned and greeted her warmly. “Ah, Prosecutor Lancaster, thank you for coming p>
After exchanging pleasantries, Mr. Brown looked at his wife with a gentle smile. “Ella, the prosecution is here. Please, talk to her about what happened p>
Ella nodded hesitantly, and Mr. Brown stepped aside, allowing Rain to sit by her bedside.
“How are you feeling?” Rain asked with a warm, reassuring smile.
“I’m feeling much better,” Ella replied softly.
Rain leaned in slightly. “Do you think you can tell me everything you remember about your kidnapping p>
Ella gulped but nodded. “I was on my way to visit my parents when another car blocked mine,” she began, her voice trembling.
Rain nodded sympathetically, jotting down notes. She was already aware that Ella’s parents lived in the countryside. Rain and Matt had visited the area yesterday, but the investigation had hit a dead end there were no witnesses, and the area’s CCTV cameras hadn’t been operational.
“They wore black masks, so I couldn’t see their faces,” Ella continued, her hands shaking. “But I remember their voices clearly. There were six men in the van. They covered my head, so I didn’t know where they were taking me p>
Rain continued to note the details. Ella then described her harrowing escape. “I knew I had to get out… they were planning to kill me. I overheard them talking,” Ella said, her voice cracking before she broke into tears.
Before Rain could respond, Ella suddenly lunged forward and hugged her tightly, trembling in fear.
“Dear Mr. Brown began to approach, but his phone rang, and he excused himself from the room.
Ella buried her face into Rain’s shoulder, her voice dropping to a desperate whisper. “Help me. Please… that man is not my husband. He… he had something to do with what happened to me,” she choked out, trembling violently. “He’s going to kill me. I know he will p>
Rain’s eyes widened, her heart racing. “Mrs. Brown she murmured in shock, her voice barely audible.
Before she could ask more, Mr. Brown returned, his eyes sharp. Ella immediately buried her face deeper into Rain’s chest, sobbing. “I’m so scared. What if they come back? What if they take me again p>
“Ella, calm down,” her husband said soothingly. “I’ll call the doctor to help you calm down p>
“Mr. Brown, Mrs. Brown’s condition is quite delicate,” Rain began, her tone firm but measured.
“Please, Prosecutor, help me,” Ella pleaded, her voice trembling. “I’m sure they’ll come back and kill me p>
Rain leaned closer, meeting Ella’s desperate gaze. “Ella, I’m here now. I’ll assign security p>
“Please Ella interrupted, her eyes brimming with tears. “Please help me p>
Rain nodded. “Would you agree to be transferred to a more secure hospital? Our security team will handle everything to ensure your protection,” she asked gently.
“No!” Mr. Brown interjected sharply. “I am her husband, and she’s staying here p>
Rain turned to him, her expression unwavering. “Given the sensitivity of this investigation and Mrs. Brown’s critical importance to the case, I’m recommending enhanced security measures, including a transfer to a secure facility. This isn’t unusual in high-profile cases, and it’s for her safety p>
Her voice grew firmer. “As the victim, Mrs. Brown’s agreement on this matter is sufficient, regardless of your objection, Mr. Brown p>
She turned back to Ella, softening her tone. “Mrs. Brown, do you want to be transferred to a more secure hospital with law enforcement protection p>
Ella’s eyes welled up as she clutched Rain’s hand. “Yes! Please, Prosecutor Lancaster, help me. I don’t want my baby to die. Please p>
Rain froze. “Your baby p>
Ella nodded tearfully.
Rain inhaled deeply, regaining her composure. “Matt, make the arrangements now. We’ll personally escort Mrs. Brown p>
“Yes, Prosecutor Lancaster,” Matt replied, already reaching for his phone.
“This is absurd!” Mr. Brown exploded. “You’re all overreacting! My wife is perfectly safe here. I’ve been taking care of her p>
Ella flinched at her husband’s outburst, gripping Rain’s hand even tighter. Rain glanced at her, then back at Mr. Brown, her voice steady. “Your concern is noted, Mr. Brown, but the decision has been made p>
Mr. Brown’s jaw clenched as he took a step closer. “You have no right to do this without my consent. She’s my wife p>
Rain stood her ground, her gaze unwavering and sharp. “She’s a victim under my protection, and it is my duty to ensure her safety especially when she feels unsafe in her current surroundings. Shouldn’t that be your priority as her husband as well p>
Mr. Brown fell silent, his jaw tightening as if he was struggling to keep his emotions in check. Rain didn’t miss the way his hands clenched into fists at his sides.
Suddenly, his phone rang sharply, slicing through the tense atmosphere. He glanced at the screen, his face darkening. Without a word, he shoved the phone back into his pocket, refusing to answer.
Rain raised an eyebrow at his reaction, her instincts telling her something wasn’t right. “Is everything okay, Mr. Brown?” she asked, her tone measured but pointed.
He forced a thin smile. “Just work,” he replied curtly. “Nothing you need to worry about p>
But Rain couldn’t shake the feeling that it was something far more serious.
“Prosecutor Lancaster,” he suddenly said smoothly, his earlier anger gone, replaced by an unsettling calm. “I trust you’ll keep my wife safe.” Without waiting for a response, Mr. Brown turned and strode out of the room, leaving Rain and Mrs. Brown.
Ella suddenly gasped, her grip on Rain’s hand tightening painfully. Rain turned back to her, alarmed. “Mrs. Brown? What’s wrong p>
Tears streamed down Ella’s face as her eyes darted toward her husband. “It’s him,” she whispered so faintly Rain almost didn’t catch it.
“What did you say?” Rain asked, leaning closer.
Ella’s lips trembled, her voice breaking. “He’s the one. He’s behind everything. “
“You have to believe me. He’s not my husband!” she insisted.