Sue was found lifeless, her throat brutally slashed by one of the guards assigned to watch over her at the base. The attacker was swiftly subdued by others, but before Joshua could arrive, the assailant died in an inexplicable manner after bleeding from every orifice.
When Joshua finally reached the basement, Sue lay covered by a white sheet, surrounded by a chilling pool of her own blood. Next to her was Greg, the man who had inexplicably turned violent and met his own grim end.
Thomas, the leader at the base, stood beside Joshua, visibly shaken. "Sir, Greg and Mike were on duty tonight. Greg suddenly attacked Sue, but we don't know who put him up to it. He was precise and lethal and struck her vital points. Mike couldn’t intervene in time."
Joshua's face was a mask of calm, though his brows were drawn tight as he surveyed the scene. "Someone wanted to silence her," he said, his voice measured.
Thomas, wiping sweat from his brow, sank to his knees. "Sir, punish me for this failure!"
Joshua remained composed. "It's too late for that. Call the police."
Thomas hesitated, "But if we do, we might be charged with illegal detention..."
Joshua's unyielding gaze cut him off. Quickly, Thomas added, "I detained Sue illegally. I'll take the fall."
Joshua's lips pressed into a thin line as he pondered. "Does Greg have family?"
Thomas replied, "He's forty, no wife, no kids. Just a frail mother in her sixties."
"Where's his mother now?" Joshua asked.
Thomas faltered. "It all happened so fast. I... I overlooked it."
Joshua’s expression darkened. "Greg was likely coerced. His mother is probably in the mastermind’s hands now and in serious danger. Thomas, you've let me down."
Thomas bowed his head. "I’m ready to face any consequence, Sir."
Joshua's eyes were cold as ice. "The mastermind knows about Greg’s family and probably used his mother as leverage... We have a mole."
Thomas looked stunned. "You mean...?"
A glint of determination shone in Joshua's eyes. "Get someone else to turn themselves in. Your job is to dig up the truth."
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