Chapter 47
Lyman had already noticed Effie was missing.
He knew Effie’s business with her company had wrapped up, and she’d planned to be home all day.
Around noon, on a whim, Lyman decided to swing by the house.
But when he walked through the door, the place was empty.
He immediately called Effie’s cell, but to his surprise, her phone was off.
Unbeknownst to him, the two kidnappers who’d forced Effie into their van had already switched off her phone.
A strange feeling crept over Lyman. Where could Effie have gone?
In broad daylight, there was no reason for her to turn off her phone—unless it had run out of battery. But that didn’t seem right.
He frowned, an uneasy premonition tightening in his chest.
Effie wasn’t the type to just disappear without a word.
Besides visiting her grandmother, where else would she go? But she’d just been to see her grandmother the day before.
Wait-Lyman recalled Effie had a close friend named Nita.
Without hesitation, he told Luther to find Nita’s contact information.
For Lyman, finding someone was child’s play.
Within minutes, Luther had Nita’s number.
Lyman got in touch right away.
Nita told him that Effie had called that morning, mentioning she was heading to the grocery store.
And Effie would never turn off her phone; she always kept it charged, just in case her grandmother needed her.
Which could only mean something was very wrong.
Lyman didn’t waste a second. His tone was all business as he ordered Luther to mobilize their people-especially to check the security cameras around the supermarket.
His face was like stone, cold and hard as ice.
It wasn’t long before Luther called back.
Just before noon, security footage from near the store showed a woman being forced into a van.
Luther wasn’t sure if it was Effie.
He sent the footage to Lyman immediately.
Lyman opened the video and with a single glance, he knew it was Effie.
Who on earth would do this?
Could it be one of his rivals?
Lyman’s gaze turned to steel, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles whitened.
On the screen, two masked men dragged Effie into the van. Rage surged through him, threatening to boil over.
Whoever dared lay a hand on Effie had just crossed the line.
“Luther, track down that van-now!” Lyman’s voice was low and icy, brooking no argument.
“Yes, Mr. Etheridge!” came Luther’s immediate reply. Lyman could hear the rapid clatter of keys in the background. “I’m having all nearby traffic cameras pulled up. We’ll have their route pinned down in no time.”
Lyman ended the call, a fierce glint in his eyes.
He dialed another number. A rough voice answered, “Mr. Etheridge, what can I do for you?”
“Black, I need you to find someone.” Lyman’s voice was colder than the grave. “My wife’s been abducted. Use every connection you have-I want her found, fast.”
“Understood, Mr. Etheridge.” Black’s answer was crisp. “I’ll get everyone on it, both sides of the law.”
Lyman hung up and drew a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm.
Minutes later, Luther called back, urgency in his voice. “Mr. Etheridge, the van was last seen near the abandoned factory in the Western district. I’ve sent our people, but it’s a big area—it may take some time.”
“I’m going myself.” Lyman’s words were like a blade. He hung up, striding toward the garage with grim determination.
Anyone who dared mess with him was either already dead-or about to be.