Page 20 of Her Faithful Protector

“There’s a more discreet way.”

“Ben will thank me for not ruining his suit.”

She gives me a chuckle. I can picture her face lighting up as she explains, “Willem puts motion sensors everywhere. But there’s a path leading to the back gardens that Elmo liked to use. The dog often ran away from home, and it drove Willem mad, so he decided to switch off the sensors around that area. For our sake, I hope he hasn’t remembered to turn them back on.”

“Is there another gate or something at the back?”

“There’s a patch of hedges that have come loose. It started with Elmo digging and playing with the plants, but it has gotten bigger. I even saw a deer go in one day. I never told Willem. I didn’t want him to kill the animal. I think you may be able to squeeze into it.”

“Good to know. I’m on my way.”

“Do you think Quinton is back home with Willem?”

“I don’t know, Ava. If he is, I’ll bring him home.”

Keeping a safe distance from the estate, I disguise my face behind a pair of Ray-Bans and a face mask as I stroll along its boundaries. Eventually, I come across a broken section ofhedge. It’s a bit of a tight squeeze, but I manage to slip through.

The path Elmo has carved out is small but obvious. I shake off the dirt and grass stuck to my suit and pants. As I continue further, I spot disc-like devices scattered throughout the gardens. At a glance, they look like outdoor lights.

“Nice try!” I scoff.

As a highly trained FORECON, the elite Force Reconnaissance unit within the Corps, I’m not easily fooled by their glassy, high-tech appearance.

I make my way around the mansion’s perimeter, pondering what life must have been like for Ava and Quinton in this expansive place. It’s so vast that people could easily go days without crossing paths if they so desired. But I doubt Willem is that type of person. Being the man of the house, he likely wants to be aware of and involved in everything that goes on here.

Having explored as much as I can without getting too close to the house and finding no signs of life, I return to my car and give Ava another call.

“I don’t think Quinton is in the house. It’s way too quiet here,” I inform her, earning a disappointed sigh in response.

“Did you see the babysitter?”

“No. No sign of anyone there.”

She stays silent.

“Ava? I’m not gonna give up.”

“I know you’re not. It’s just… it’s hard. I’ve never been without Quinton. Ever.”

Hearing her like that, it’s like needles tunneling through my veins. “I know.” I pause, trying to somehow cheer her up. “Hey, has my brother taken good care of you?”

A soft cackle escapes her, giving me hope.

“He and his family have been so amazing to me,” sherasps. “I didn’t want to eat anything this morning, but their daughter Grace was so sweet. She made me a hot chocolate, you know, with a heart in the froth. I couldn’t say no.”

Sam and Cass have done a great job as parents. Grace is Cass’ daughter from her previous marriage, and Sam and Cass have a son together. Although I haven’t had the chance to spend much time with them, I’ve only heard wonderful things about their children.

I tell Ava, “You have to take care of yourself. We can’t have you getting sick, too.”

“I promise I’m taking care of myself.” She inhales, then asks, “Where are you going next?”

I open the email from Cora-Lee Rancic, the head of tech at Red Mark, which contains a list of properties in California associated with Willem Botha personally or his company, ‘W-Bot.’

“I’m going to survey the other properties that Willem owns. Maybe if I find him, I’ll get some clues about Quinton’s whereabouts. I’ll call you later, okay?”

Willem Botha’s portfolio consists of the typical mix of houses and commercial buildings, nothing out of the ordinary. I begin exploring the addresses that are within my reach. All the commercial properties are currently occupied, with the exception of one in southwestern L.A., which is still undergoing construction. The residential estates appear to be occupied by families, evident from the flurry of activities that I observe.

Determined to find Willem, I head back downtown to visit W-Bot’s headquarters. While I am on my way, Sam calls.

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