"Where the hell is Mark?" I snapped, consumed by a wave of irrational anger that had plagued me for months. "He was supposed to ensure Barbara's safe return and meet me here!"
"I will call him now, boss," Chad replied, attempting to calm the tension.
Glaring at him, I snapped, "Don't you think I've already tried that? Both his and Barbara's phones are off." As the words escaped my lips, a sudden unease gripped my heart. I witnessed the realization dawning in Chad's eyes before I urgently added, "Find him!"
Nodding, Chad hurried towards the door. "Gather as many men as you can and find him!" I roared, fear coursing through my veins. I followed him to the front of the house, where more of my guards were present despite the late hour of 2 a.m.
"Each and every one of you, go and find Mark now!" I yelled, my voice echoing through the chilly night. "Don't return until you've found him!"
The sound of running feet filled the air as my guards swiftly dispersed into the darkness. Retrieving my phone, I dialed the chief of police. After five rings, he answered, his voice revealing the disturbance my call had caused.
"Mr. Donovan?" he hesitantly spoke.
"Mark Rutherford was supposed to meet me hours ago, but he never showed up," I explained, attempting to maintain composure despite the rising panic.
"Have you tried contacting him?" he asked, unaware of the gravity of the situation.
"What the fuck are you asking?!" I erupted in frustration.
"I... I will do what I can," he stammered.
Ending the call, I paced restlessly, the events of the past hours replaying in my mind. I had no choice but to wait for updates from my men. The events of the past hours replayed in my mind. Chad and my men had been tailing Adolf and his gang, witnessing their departure from town.
Unless they had lied to me, Jessica was the only other person capable of targeting Mark due to my relationship with Barbara. However, I had kept a close eye on Jessica all night, escorting her personally back to the estate. Still, that was no guarantee. She could have planned it earlier, but how could she have known I would ask Mark to accompany Barbara home? Countless possibilities raced through my mind as I attempted to steady myself.
"Perhaps he's simply with Barbara, lost in their own world," I muttered, forcing myself to consider plausible explanations for Mark's absence. I needed to remain patient and avoid jumping to conclusions. I had to wait for my men to provide me with more information.
Pouring myself a drink, I settled down, unknowingly succumbing to exhaustion. I jolted awake to the shrill sound of my mobile phone. "Yes," I answered, my voice taut with anticipation.
"Boss, I have bad news," Chad's somber voice conveyed the weight of the situation.
"Did you find his body?" I asked through gritted teeth. My fear intensified.
"No, the car is burned and destroyed. Miss Barbara Blackwell was found ashore, with gunshot wounds, but she's still alive. We can't determine for how long. A body was discovered amidst the wreckage, but we don't know the identity yet."
"Tell the coast guards to keep searching..." I trailed off, desperation seeping into my words.
"Boss..."
"Do as I fucking say!" I bellowed. "I'll meet you all at the hospital," I added, abruptly ending the call.
Opening the bottom drawer of my chest, I retrieved my gun and marched out of the study, heading towards the main building. It was now around 9 a.m., and I knew exactly where to find her. Staff members scrambled out of my way as a few guards trailed behind me, witnessing my purposeful strides. Passing them and entering the house, I barged into the dining room, where Patricia and Jessica were enjoying breakfast.
Two of Patricia's friends accompanied them, and laughter filled the air. As Patricia caught sight of me, she yelled for her friends to run. Jessica jolted from her seat, but it was too late—I seized her by the throat, lifting her off the ground as she croaked out a scream, futilely struggling against my grip.
"Archer, let her go!" Patricia screamed, her voice filled with anguish, as I forcefully slammed Jessica against the table, shattering dishes and glass cups. She groaned in pain.
Cocking the gun, I pressed it against her temple, leaning closer to press her body against the wreckage. Choking the life out of her, I growled, "Where is he? Where is Mark?"
"Archer, please, let's talk about this!" Patricia pleaded, dropping to her knees and clutching my leg, desperately begging.
"Answer me! Where the fuck is Mark?" I seethed, my entire body trembling with rage.
"I don't know!" Jessica whimpered, tears streaming down her face.
My body quivered, torn apart by the thought of losing Mark. The mere possibility of his demise drove me to the brink of madness. I asked him to follow Barbara. If he were dead, it would be my fault—my responsibility for Adele losing her brother, her only family. Adele must already despise me, and this would only fuel her hatred. I couldn't discern what pained me more: the potential loss of a friend or the knowledge that Adele had lost a brother—the sole family she had left.
"You have one last chance to tell me the truth, or I swear I'll splatter your brains all over this table!" I yelled, consumed by a torrent of rage.
"Archer... Son, stop," my father's voice resonated from behind me. He placed one hand on my shoulder and the other on the hand clutching the gun. "Stop. Everyone is searching for him. They haven't found his body yet. Barbara Blackwell is responding to treatment. Don't make a hasty decision. Stop."
"If I find out you're responsible for this," I hissed, staring into Jessica's pallid face, disregarding my father, "I will kill you. Do you fucking hear me?! You will die a painful death." I released my grip on her and disentangled myself from Patricia's desperate hold.
"Archer! I swear, whatever this is, I didn't do it! I will never hurt Mark!" Jessica sobbed, her voice filled with desperation. “Archer!”
My father attempted to disarm me, but I refused to relinquish the gun. I marched outside and headed to the side woods. Raising the gun, I fired repeatedly into the air until the magazine emptied, unleashing a guttural growl like a wounded beast. I felt a wetness on my face, my heart aching with unimaginable pain.
"You can't die, Mark. No fucking way!"