Chapter 61

Howard and I scoured everywhere, from Frank's company to his villa out in the 'burbs.

But we didn't find a single trace of him. Everyone at the company was singing the same tune: Frank had skipped town.

Did someone tip him off?

Now, all our key leads were dead ends. Without Frank, we were in the dark about the orphanage, the folks from Sand Village, and all the drama with Laura.

It was pushing 7 PM when we finally left Frank's villa. Howard suggested we grab some dinner and thought about inviting Zoey too.

I noticed it was getting late. Today, I heard Howard spill about his past and his thing with Zoey. Plus, I hadn't seen her at the office today, so I was down.

It was rush hour, and Howard was busy driving, so he asked me to call Zoey. She should've just clocked out.

I figured I'd video call Zoey on Facebook. After a couple of rings, Zoey's pretty face popped up on my screen, frowning and grumbling, "Mrs. Smith, were you and our boss sneaking around investigating a case today without me?"

Howard overheard and got all worked up about how Zoey addressed him. He snorted and pretended to be mad, "Is that how you talk about me in front of your mentor? Our boss? From now on, call me Howard!"

Zoey got flustered and probably guessed Howard had spilled the beans about their relationship. She stuck out her tongue and made a funny face, cheekily saying, "I'm your employee at the office, not at home. Calling you Howard would seem rude and might make people think we're too close."

"Who was it that claimed to have connections a few days ago?" I glanced at Howard and teased Zoey with a smile.

I didn't blame Zoey for not telling me about her relationship with Howard. To me, she was just an intern at first. She learned fast and had talent. Over time, she became not just my apprentice but also like a sister. That was enough. Who her parents were or her relationship with Howard didn't matter.

In fact, knowing about her and Howard made me happy for them.

Zoey raised her eyebrows, crossed her arms, and proudly said, "I learned from Ms. Johnson, and I rely on my skills to make a living. I never ask for favors. Whoever says I have connections, I'll scold them!"

Seeing the background behind her, which looked like the door to my office, I asked, "Aren't you worried your colleagues will hear you in the office?"

Zoey giggled, "Of course, there's no one here. Everyone's gone. I'm the only one in the office. What do you need?"

At this moment, Howard raised his voice, afraid Zoey wouldn't hear, "Why are you still in the office? Since when did our company have such a model worker? Hurry downstairs, my car is almost there. Let's go eat!"

Though it sounded like teasing, Howard was actually concerned about Zoey, thinking she was still working overtime. But knowing Zoey, she was super efficient and always left on time. If she hadn't left yet, it must be for another reason.

Sure enough, Zoey blinked mysteriously and said, "Well, coming downstairs would be troublesome. You'll know when you get here."

About twenty minutes later, we pulled up at the bottom of the company building. And who did we see? Ruben, Benjamin's apprentice, standing there.

He was surrounded by a crowd, with candles arranged in a heart shape at his feet, a Bluetooth speaker playing some romantic tunes, holding a bouquet of roses in one hand, and talking on the phone with the other. It was quite the spectacle.

But the guy forgot to change out of his police uniform again!

Ruben was saying, "Mr. Wright, don't worry. I've got everything set up just like you asked. Zoey isn't avoiding me. She said she's working overtime. I'm sure Zoey likes me! Just wait and see!"

Howard stood in front of the car, frowning, his mouth twitching, and pointed at Ruben, "Who is this idiot? Do you know him?"

He wasn't worried Zoey would fall for Ruben; he just thought the whole thing was a bit too tacky.

Only I knew about Ruben and Benjamin's quirky ideas. It was likely because Ruben had asked me for Zoey's Facebook last time, and Zoey, being her lively self, chatted with him, leading Ruben to misunderstand. So, Benjamin, who was on a business trip, gave Ruben some advice.

I was speechless. After all these years, Benjamin hadn't changed a bit. Ruben and Benjamin's inexplicable confidence was truly baffling!

Looking up at the office window on the tenth floor, Zoey poked her head out and waved at me. She had a mischievous smile, clearly not scared but enjoying the show.

I dialed Benjamin's number, and he answered, "Hey, Nancy, do you need any help? I'm busy right now."

This was obviously a guilty conscience, pretending not to know. Wasn't he just on the phone coaching Ruben?

I didn't waste any words and got straight to the point, "Ruben is already famous at the bottom of my company building. Get him out of here!"

"Nancy, you see, it's mutual between the kids. Let's not interfere, okay?" Benjamin hurriedly spoke up for Ruben.

"I don't care about Zoey and Ruben, but Ruben is flaunting his police uniform, surrounded by people taking pictures. If this gets online, the image of the police being serious and disciplined might be compromised," I said.

"Damn, this idiot!" Benjamin quickly hung up, and soon Ruben received a call.

I don't know what Benjamin said, but Ruben let out a scream, quickly took off his police uniform, and called a few people from the crowd to help pack up and leave.

It seemed like a "group operation." This jerk had pulled in police officers to help him chase a girl. If Benjamin found out, it wouldn't be the first time he got a good scolding.

"Ruben!" I called out, and the startled Ruben turned around.

Seeing me, he instinctively shrank his neck, knowing he couldn't leave now, and walked over with his head down. Howard looked at Ruben with a grim expression, half-smiling.

"Mrs. Smith, what a coincidence?" Ruben grinned awkwardly.

Was there really such a resemblance between master and apprentice? I was speechless but didn't intend to chat. I asked, "How's the investigation on Lally going? Oh, and Duke."

I suddenly remembered that Duke also lived in Sand Village and had close ties with these people. He must also know something about the orphanage.