mahogany desk. The sun cast an amber glow through the large window, bathing the

with an air of authority, her every step purposeful. "Harris Thompson?" she a

pping her hand firmly. "Please, have a seat. I n

ut a notepad and pen, ready to take not

d, rubbing his temples. "

know about her whereabouts," Jane su

tion. "I haven't been able to get any information from her best friend. She wasn't in the apartment that she

ng down notes. "I'll look into it a

n," Harris said. "I a

iscreetly observing her actions through binoculars. She watched as Patricia ten

warm smile. "My name is Jane Wilson, and I was hoping

her eyes at the stranger. Her tone was guarde

admitted. "He's concerned about Mal

ariness etched on her face implied that she had been through

Thompson is genuinely worried about her well-being," Jane said, her voice softe

icia shot back, her jaw clenched tightly. "Now, if you'll excuse me,

couldn't help but feel conflicted about the case. It was clear that Patricia was fiercely prote

. But as she dialed Harris's number to report her findings, s

e, his frustration mounting with each passing second. Why couldn

his breath, raking a hand through his

ence around him. He snatched it up

ator said, her tone cautiously neutral. "She confirmed that Mallory is safe and w

Harris's voice cracked, b

tects her daughter's privacy, and I couldn't persuade her to share more. Bu

s voice heavy with disappointme

er, sadness, and overwhelming frustration. His heart ached, the crushing weight of his emoti

hitching as he leaned against the floo

would not give up on Mallory. His love for her would endure no matter how long it took or wh

lighting did little to hide the dark circles under his eyes, and the tension in his shoulders was palpable. Shadows danced along the walls

d without looking up, his hand shaking slightly as he raised the glass to his lips. Each sip burned

hat had become her disappearance. His thoughts circled back to one nagging suspicion: Did she know about his

ously in his hand. Harris ignored him, consumed by the heavy guilt that threatened to

der the weight of his confession. "She's too smart for her

ging Harris's arm. Harris shook his head, trying

to shut out the intrusive stranger. But the man persiste

first man to have trouble with

rness and passion he'd shared with Mallory. The way her eyes lit up when she laughed, and the

that separated her from other women he was with. Their relationship was n

ords slurring together as he slapped Harris on the

bar. His determination to uncover the truth grew more assertive as his suspicions continued to mou

nds. Harris downed the last of his whiskey and slammed the glass onto the counter with newfound res

" Every fiber of his being ached with the need to find Mallory – to look into her eyes and ask her

is Thompson realized that he might never