Beyond The Facade

Chapter5

Mrs Caroline rushed out of her office in anger and yelled, “Why isn't Freya Ashford back?!!”

Rachel stood up to respond to her “She's nowhere to be found in the company. She took off this morning saying you'd given her a task.”

“What!! She hasn't returned?” Mrs Caroline asked. She became worried. “I asked her to run an errand for me at Charlie's Gallery.” she replied to Rachel as she gazed at her.

Then Maria interrupted them, “Charlie's Gallery?” They all turned to look at Maria. “I was scrolling through the news on my phone when I stumbled upon a disturbing report about Charlie's Gallery being robbed….” They were all dumbfounded at her words.

“The guests who were present at that time were locked in as hostages with the burglars. The police rescued them after the burglars had escaped, but Freya wasn't among the rescued hostages.” She narrated.

“What do you mean?” Mrs Caroline asked with a worried look.

“It's not possible for her to have gone anywhere without reporting to you.” Rachel added.

“Oh no, this is terrible. Do you think she was taken by the robbers?!” A female colleague voiced out in fear and all their faces paled.

Maria nodded in agreement. “I was thinking the same thing. Maybe she was abducted during the robbery.”

Mrs Caroline's hands rose up to her forehead, her fingers spread out massaging her temples as she was in a state of confusion. The crease between her eyebrows deepened, and then she spat out, “Rachel, Report it to the police!”

Rachel nodded in agreement. Rachel dialed the police number on the telephone table and picked up the handset from the phone cradle. She put it to her ear and waited for someone to answer.

“Police department, this is Officer Johnson, how can I assist you?” a man's voice said over the phone.

“Hi, I need to report a missing person,” Rachel replied in a calm tone. Everybody gazed at her as she spoke on the phone.

“Okay, ma'am. Can you give me some details? Who's missing?” the man asked.

“It's my coworker, Freya Ashford. She was sent on an errand to Charlie's Gallery this morning, but she never came back. We just found out that the gallery was robbed, and the hostages were rescued, but Freya wasn't among them,” Rachel explained.

“I see….. And when did you last see Freya?” the man asked.

“This morning, when she left for the gallery. Around 9 am,” Rachel replied.

“Okay, ma'am. Can you give me a description of Freya?” the man asked.

“Yes, she's about 5'8” with long brown hair and hazel eyes. She was wearing a white blouse and black pants,” Rachel said.

“Alright, ma'am. We'll send someone over to make a statement. Can you stay where you are?” the man asked.

“Yes, I'll be here,” Rachel said. She was grateful that the police were taking her report seriously.

The call was hung up. Rachel took a deep sigh and collapsed on her seat. She bit one side of her lower lip. It would be so hard to believe that Rachel actually cared about Freya considering her past actions.

They all stayed in the office worried, anticipating the arrival of the police officer.

Minutes later, two officers, a man and a woman in their uniforms walked into the office. “We’re here to inquire more about Freya's disappearance.” The officer said.

Rachel quickly rose to her feet, standing up to greet them. “Thank you for coming.”

Officer Johnson, a tall, imposing figure with a kind face, smiled. “Keep your hearts at ease. We'll do everything we can to help find Freya.”

Officer Rodriguez, a petite woman with a notebook and pen, asked, “Can you please tell us what happened?”

Rachel took a deep breath and narrated the events of the morning, from Freya's errand to Charlie's Gallery to the news of the robbery and Freya's disappearance.

Officer Johnson nodded, then he asked “And you haven't heard from Freya since she left for the gallery?”

Rachel shook her head. “No, nothing. We've tried calling her phone, but it goes straight to voicemail.”

Officer Rodriguez scribbled some notes on her pad. “Can you give us a list of Freya's close friends and family members?”

Mrs. Caroline replied “I have that information in my office.”

As Mrs. Caroline left to retrieve the information. Officer Johnson turned to Rachel and asked further “Ma'am, can you tell me more about Freya's personality? Was she the type of person to wander off or take risks?”

Rachel thought for a moment before answering “Freya's a responsible person. She's always on time and follows instructions. I don't think she'd wander off without telling someone.”

Officer Johnson nodded. “Okay, And can you think of anyone who might have wanted to harm her or hold her against her will?” he asked and Rachel shook her head in disapproval.

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Mr. Zane Ashford, a ruthless mafia kingpin, relaxed in the patio area, an isolated area from his estate. He leaned on the couch as he inhaled every smoke from his tobacco.

Two beautiful women, dressed in provocative bikinis were seated beside him. One massaged his shoulders with her skilled hands massaging his muscles while the other poured him a glass of fine scotch. As she poured in the fine scotch, her eyes locked on him with a bit of fear playing on her face.

As he savored every taste of his cigar, Mr. Zane’s gaze roamed over the women. He was a man who demanded loyalty and respect, and he rewarded it with luxury and protection. But cross him, and you'd face the wrath of his brutal empire.

He summoned one of the women to his side. She obediently placed herself on his lap. Her hands roamed over his chest as her lips nibbled his neck. The other woman watched with envy and fear filling her eyes, knowing she was just as disposable as the last one.

Mr. Zane's eyes gleamed with danger as he stroked the woman's hair. As the woman continued her wonders, he moaned in satisfaction.

This was his sanctuary, where he indulged in his vices and reminded himself of his power. And with these beautiful women by his side, he knew he was the undisputed kingpin, a man of feared respect.

She lifted her face up and moved down to his ears. This was the perfect moment she had been waiting for. She then whispered to his ears “A message from Mr Adler. He's always one step ahead.”