Chapter Three Hundred And Fifty-One: Garry Was Kidnapped
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Cassienne or Dreston were quel almost throughout their journey to Lisbourn. Perhaps it was because both were lost in thought, turning over the same heavy questions again and again.
Tina. More specifically, what Tina knew and why she had mentioned Garry.
Ever since Ray’s urgent call, a strange, uneasy feeling had settled deep inside Dreston’s chest, the mention of Garry Richardson didn’t leave his mind. It made no sense, at least not yet.
Garry was his friend, a respected businessman who should have been busy managing the Richardson family vineyard and expanding their renowned wine empire. Yet somehow his name had suddenly surfaced in the middle of an attempted kidnapping, mysterious attacks, and Tina’s near-fatal accident.
Something wasn’t adding up, and the unknown pieces gnawed at him relentlessly.
Beside him, Cassienne remained quiet, her hand resting comfortably inside his! Occasionally Dreston’s thumb brushed against her knuckles in slow, soothing strokes. Neither of them noticed they were doing it anymore. It had become natural, a silent habit that grounded them both amid the chaos.
The moment the private jet landed smoothly at the private aviation terminal in Lisbourn, Ray Sirapson was already waiting on the tarmac. The doctor looked exhausted, his shirt sleeves were rolled up, and there were visible signs that he had not slept much in the past day. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, but his posture remained professional and alert.
Dreston noticed immediately. “You look terrible.”
Ray snorted, a tired but genuine sound. “Good to see you too.”
Cassienne laughed softly. The small moment of lightness eased the tension just a little. Only a little. The three of them headed directly toward the hospital with no detours and no delays. Whatever Tina knew, they needed to hear it fast.
Tina’s hospital room at Simpson Medical Center was still heavily guarded. Dreston noticed that immediately. Additional security officers stood outside the door, while several more occupied strategic positions throughout the floor. Ray noticed him looking and offered a quick explanation. “I doubled security.”
Dreston nodded approvingly. “Good.”
They entered the room together. The space was quiet, sunlight filtering gently through the windows. Machines beeped steadily beside the bed, Tina looked much better than the last time they had seen her, but only physically. The emotional damage was painfully obvious. Her face had grown thinner, and her eyes carried a deep, lingering fear that no medicine could erase.
The moment she saw Dreston and Cassienne enter, fresh tears gathered in her eyes. Cassienne’s heart softened instantly, whatever mistakes Tina had made, nobody deserved what had happened to her. Nobody. Cassienne stepped closer first, her voice gentle. “How are you feeling?” 1.
The simple question broke Tina completely, tears rolled down her face as she tried to speak. Nothing came out. Only frustration and helplessness. Ray quickly intervened, his voice calm and reassuring. “Easy. The tests came back fine.” He looked toward Dreston and Cassienne. “There is no permanent damage. Her voice will return.”
“When?” Dreston asked.
Ray shrugged slightly. “Could be days. Could be weeks. Right now her body is still recovering.”
Tina closed her eyes briefly. The inability to communicate was clearly upsetting her more than anything else. Cassienne gently squeezed her hand. “You don’t have to force yourself.”
Tina opened her eyes again and looked toward the notepad resting beside the bed. Ray handed it to her along with a pen. Everyone waited in heavy silence. Tina’s hand shook slightly as she began writing. The words appeared slowly, painfully. But
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eventually she turned the notepad around.
Dreston took it first. His eyes parrowed immediately.
‘Garry was kidnapped.’
The room became silent. Cassienne’s eyes widened. Ray looked stunted. Even Dreston struggled to hide his surprise.
“Garry?” Cassienne asked, her voice barely a whisper..
Tina nodded immediately. Then she began writing again, this time faster. The words came out messy yet understandable.
‘Garry called me, and he was scared. He said dangerous people took him. He said I should find Dreston. He said Cassienne must be protected.’
Dreston reread the message twice, then three times. None of it made sense. Yet all of it felt vitally important. “Garry called you before the attack?”
Tina nodded. Another message followed.
‘He said if anything happened to him, tell Dreston. Tell Dreston everything.’
Cassienne looked toward Dreston. Questions filled both their eyes. The same questions. What did Garry know? Who had kidnapped him? Why Tina? Why Cassienne? The mystery only seemed to be growing darker and more complex.
Dreston sat down beside the bed, his voice remaining gentle but firm. “Tina.” She looked at him immediately. “Did he mention any names?”
For a moment she froze. Then she frowned, thinking hard, trying desperately to remember. Several long seconds passed.
Finally she wrote again, and she stopped, crossed something out Started again, but nothing came. Her hand eventually dropped, tears filled her eyes. She remembered something, that much was obvious, but whatever it was remained just beyond her reach.
Cassienne stepped closer and gently hugged her. The simple act completely broke Tina’s composure. She began crying quietly against Cassienne’s shoulder. For several moments nobody spoke, they simply allowed her the space to release everything she had been carrying alone.
Eventually Cassienne pulled back. “It’s okay,” she whispered softly. “You’ve already helped.”
Tina looked unconvinced, but Cassienne smiled anyway. “You gave us a lead’
Dreston nodded. The first real lead, Garry Richardson. The name, the kidnapping, and now… Vi. Or Vivi. Whatever it meant, it was something, and right now, something was better than nothing.
An hour later, Dreston and Cassienne finally left the hospital. The corridor outside remained heavily guarded. Neither spoke as they walked toward the levator. Each was lost in thought, the weight of the new information pressing down on them. The elevator doors opened, and only when the elevator began descending did Cassienne finally break the silence. “What are you thinking?”
Dreston stared ahead. “Garry.”
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