In still waters - стр. 20

"Jeffrey, I don't owe you anything," Bison's voice took on a dangerous edge. "You seem to have forgotten that you're living comfortably only thanks to me."

Defeated, Jeffrey stood and began to walk towards the office door.

"You know, Jeffrey," Bison called after him, a smirk playing on his lips, "this is karma for your past." Jeffrey turned, his face a mask of confusion as he stared at the floor.

"I always say that in this life, everyone gets their due. Your day has come."

Bison's malicious laughter filled the room. Jeffrey raised his eyes to meet Bison's gaze.

"Don't talk to me about karma," he spat. "I already know we're all sinners here. If you can't help me deal with this guy, at least tell me where I can find him."

Jeffrey approached the desk once more, showing Bison a photo of Bradley Force on his phone. Bison glanced at it, his face twisting with disgust.

"I don't know this guy. People like that don't run in my circles."

Without another word, Jeffrey turned and left, fury and despair warring within him. He had been certain Bison would help him. Now he realized he would have to hunt for Bradley on his own.

Back at the station, Nick and Christian were hunched over their computers, scouring databases for any information that might lead them to Bradley Force. But as the hours ticked by, their frustration only grew. It seemed that little had changed since their last search. Bradley Force still had no official job, no registered address. His last known residence remained his mother's house, where they had already failed to find him. The detectives felt like they were chasing ghosts.

"I don't understand," Christian exclaimed, slamming his fist on his desk in frustration. "They have to be living somewhere!"

Nick rubbed his forehead, a thought forming in his mind. "What if Bradley's mother lied about her son no longer living with her? What if she does know where he is?"

"Christian," Nick continued, a new determination in his voice, "we need to set up surveillance on Bradley and Steven's houses. Something tells me that's how we'll find them."

"I'm not sure that's a good idea," Christian replied hesitantly. "But at this point, what do we have to lose?"

As they made arrangements for the surveillance, Nick couldn't shake the nagging feeling that they were in a race against time. He kept thinking about Jeffrey's volatile state, worried that the grieving father might take matters into his own hands before they could locate Bradley.

Within the hour, surveillance was set up on both Bradley and Steven's houses. The police settled in for what they hoped would be a short stakeout, but were prepared for a long wait if necessary. They were on duty around the clock, watching and waiting for any sign of the two young men who had become the focus of their investigation.