After two days of continuous remorse over his own stupidity, Jas Clifford’s brain finally began functioning normally again. The shock of Eleanor’s sudden reappearance had shaken him, but now he knew he needed to get his emotions under control. He had to decide his next steps regarding Eleanor... strategically and carefully. Although he didn’t know the full truth, he had to formulate a plan with the fragnts of information he had managed to gather so far.
Seated in his favourite spot at his outskirt villa... on a rocking chair beside the serene swimming pool... he took a long sip of his freshly brewed coffee. The sun glinted off the water’s surface, but Jas’s gaze was distant, dark, calculating.
"I need to inform the Whitmores," he murmured to himself. "If they run into Eleanor and react inappropriately in front of the Millers, it could be a disaster. Especially Jennifer... I know how volatile she gets when it cos to Eleanor."
But before that, he knew he had to be sure... gather all possible intelligence. He couldn’t afford any more mistakes.
He pulled out his phone and dialled a number he hadn’t used in a long ti. It rang twice before being answered.
"Hello, Detective Harvey speaking."
"Detective Harvey, it’s Jas Clifford."
"Mr. Clifford!" The voice on the other end instantly brightened. "You’re an old client... I still have your number saved. Although... I must apologize again for failing to locate your forr girlfriend all those years ago. That was a truly exceptional case. What can I do for you today?"
Jas spoke calmly but with urgency, "Actually, that’s the reason I’m calling. I’ve finally found her."
Before he could elaborate, Detective Harvey exclaid enthusiastically, "Oh! Congratulations!"
Jas’s expression darkened. His voice dropped a tone. "Don’t congratulate just yet. Yes, I found her... but there’s a serious complication. It appears she’s lost her mory. She didn’t recognize at all, no matter how many tis I tried to remind her."
He took a long breath, gathering the nerve to say the next part. "And that’s only half of the problem. The bigger issue is... she seems to be involved with Edward Miller... the chairman of the Miller Group. She might be his girlfriend or, God forbid, his wife."
A bitter smile curled at the edge of his lips. "Sure, Edward Miller is wealthy, but he’s old, widowed, and already has children and grandchildren. I want you to investigate her current status. Where is she living? What’s her relationship with the Millers? How is she being treated? I just want... for the peace of my mind."
He added softly, with feigned sentintality, "You know, I always wanted what’s best for her."
"I understand, Mr. Clifford," Harvey replied. "You spent a lot of resources on the original case. I rember well... you were quite invested. I felt bad not being able to provide results back then. But now that you’ve given a lead, I’ll find everything you need. I’ll start imdiately."
"Good," Jas said. "I’m transferring your standard fee right now. This is a new investigation, so treat it as such. But I need the full report by this evening. If your findings are thorough, I’ll ensure you receive a generous bonus."
"You’re very generous, sir," the detective responded. "I’ll push all other cases to my assistants. Today, I work only for you. Expect my call this evening."
"I’ll be waiting," Jas said, ending the call.
He sat in silence for a few monts, letting the information settle. Then, without hesitation, he dialled another number... this ti an international one. The line connected after a mont.
"Eleanor Whitmore is still alive," Jas said without preamble. "What happened on your end?"
Thousands of miles away, in a snow-covered European village, a tall man with broad shoulders walked along a quiet road. Snowflakes drifted gently from the grey sky, landing on the thick trees that lined the path. His face was mostly hidden beneath the hood of his jacket. He paused, glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, then answered in a cold, gravelly voice.
"It shouldn’t have taken this long," he said. "Wait a bit... I’ll call you right back."
He pulled his phone away and began tapping on it. Minutes passed. The wind rustled the trees. A bird chirped faintly in the distance.
Jas’s phone rang again... this ti it was the man calling back.
"I don’t know what happened," he admitted. "The money I paid for the mission was confiscated as compensation. Two assassination attempts failed. Every mber of the teams either died or vanished. Now they’re blaming for providing false information. So tell , Jas Clifford, who the hell is protecting that girl?"
Jas’s jaw clenched. "What are you saying? I only just learned she’s involved with Edward Miller. Maybe things progressed... maybe they got married. But the Millers shouldn’t have the strength to protect her like this. How can they wipe out trained elites?"
The man scoffed. "Edward Miller? You’re joking. The Miller Group has money and influence, sure, but not the kind of force needed to kill my people. You’re underestimating the situation. Soone far more powerful is behind her... and possibly behind the Millers too."
He paused, then added ominously, "The people who accept contracts through my channels aren’t your average thugs. They’re ex-military, most of them special ops. Veterans with black ops experience. You think a bunch of British security guards took them out? No. Find the real backer. And if you want to continue the mission... the price just went up."
"How much?" Jas asked, a tremor in his voice.
"Half a million pounds," the man replied. "And I want detailed, accurate intel this ti. Otherwise, I’m out."
Jas hesitated, "I... I have to speak with my partners first. I’ll get back to you."
He hung up the call and leaned back in the chair, staring blankly at the rippling water of the pool. His mind was racing. Who could it be? The Millers weren’t known for military strength or underground connections. They were wealthy, yes, but even money had its limits.
Was it possible soone else was protecting Eleanor? Soone powerful enough to kill trained assassins without leaving a trace? He needed answers.
Finally, he decided to take it up with the Whitmores directly. If anyone knew more than him about Eleanor’s past and the current balance of power, it would be them.
He quickly dialled William Whitmore.
"Uncle," Jas began as soon as the call connected, "We need to talk. It’s about Eleanor. Sothing important ca up. When can we et?"
"I’m busy all day," William replied. "But you can co to the house tonight. Jennifer and Jeanne will be ho too."
"Perfect. I’d also like to bring my mother along. I think it’s best if she hears this too."
"That’s fine," William said. "Just make sure to co after nine. I have a eting in the evening that might run a bit late."
"Of course. We’ll be there on ti," Jas replied and ended the call.
He placed his phone on the small round table beside him, then muttered darkly under his breath, "Damn old man. You think I don’t know your little hotel rendezvous with your secretary during these so-called etings?"
He clenched his jaw.
"We’re in the middle of a crisis, and all you care about is getting into your secretary’s pants."
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