In still waters - стр. 21

The stakeout had yielded no results. Bradley and Steven remained elusive, their whereabouts a maddening mystery.

Nick and Christian found themselves back at the station, nursing cups of coffee as they tried to make sense of their lack of progress. Outside, the sun shone brightly, a stark contrast to the gloomy mood within the office.

"I think we need to put out an APB on Bradley," Christian declared, the frustration evident in his voice.

Nick sighed heavily, rubbing his forehead as he frowned. "We don't have grounds for that."

"And isn't the fact that they both disappeared right after Rose's murder grounds enough?"

Nick didn't answer, his mind clearly elsewhere.

"I think we need to call off the surveillance," he said after a moment. "I'll phone the officer on duty now and give the all-clear."

As Nick dialed the number, he was surprised by what he heard on the other end of the line. The officer reported that just minutes ago, Sheriff Jeffrey had arrived at Bradley's house. After knocking, Bradley's mother had answered and let him in. Alarmed, Nick instructed the officer to report any suspicious activity and hung up.

"Damn it all," he muttered under his breath.

"What's wrong?" Christian asked, concern etched on his face.

"The officer just told me Jeffrey showed up at Bradley's house. He's inside right now."

"Well… I guess he's still looking for Bradley after all."

"Looks that way," Nick replied, his voice tight with worry. "If the officer doesn't report that Jeffrey's left within ten minutes, I'm sending him in."

Five tense minutes later, the officer called back. He reported that Jeffrey had stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind him in a rage. Bradley's mother had run out after him, shouting that her son hadn't killed Rose.

Nick gave the order to call off the surveillance, his mind racing with the implications of what had just transpired.

Nick arrived home, the weight of the day's events heavy on his shoulders. His house stood as a bastion of normalcy amidst the chaos of the investigation – a modest two-story structure built in classic American style. Its brown exterior and black roof blended seamlessly with the other homes on the street, large windows and a spacious porch lending it an air of warmth and welcome. A well-maintained lawn stretched out front, complete with a barbecue area that spoke of lazy summer evenings spent with family and friends.

Despite its modest size, the interior of the house radiated coziness and cleanliness. From the entryway, soft, light tones painted the walls, creating an atmosphere of calm. The living room boasted a plush carpet in a complementary shade, while a comfortable beige sofa faced the television. Soft blue curtains framed the windows, and nearby, a glass-fronted cabinet displayed family photos and various knick-knacks collected over the years.