Chapter 29: Drunk Dazed
Zevian’s expression blanched, his mind racing in pure terror. He sprinted toward the scene, his heart pounding erratically against his chest. John and the rest of the team, who had been mingling as ordinary citizens, followed closely behind.
Pushing through the growing crowd at the water’s edge, Zevian’s feet sank into the cold, wet sand as he moved closer to the body. The black leather jacket on the woman’s body heightened his anxiety. He crouched down, his hands trembling as he flipped the body over, soaking her back in the harsh cold water.
Relief washed over him as he realized the woman wasn’t Evelyn. But that didn’t guarantee her safety. His mind raced with the thought of her being targeted again, and he quickly instructed his team to form a search party. "Call the cops and handle this!" he ordered one of his men before walking over to Riya with urgent concern.
Bobby comforted her daughter, who was visibly shaken by the sudden appearance of bouncers. "Did you really hear anything?" Zevian asked, his voice laced with worry. Riya nodded vigorously, and Bobby suggested checking the CCTV footage.
Everyone rushed back to the bar. One of the staff quickly brought up the security footage. Zevian leaned over the monitor, watching intently as Evelyn entered the bathroom with Riya standing outside. Fast-forwarding the tape, they saw Riya enter, and then Evelyn exiting shortly afterward, walking out of the bar before disappearing into the night as the outside camera couldn’t cover a wide range.
"Maybe she walked out while you were searching inside," Ryan suggested, glancing at Riya.
"Get the choppers and search the entire beach!" Zevian demanded to John, his expression darkening with each passing second.
But just as they were to exit the bar, Ryan interrupted, "I know where Grace might be."
All eyes turned to him, and Zevian stepped forward, eager for more information. "Follow me," Ryan instructed, before rushing out of the bar.
It took a few minutes to trek the rocky outcrop Ryan had mentioned. The terrain was uneven, with jagged rocks and steep slopes leading to a small peak overlooking the beach. The rhythmic crashing of waves mixed with the occasional distant calls of seagulls, created an eerie yet tranquil atmosphere.
As they reached the peak, Zevian spotted Evelyn sitting on a rock, her silhouette bathed in moonlight. A wave of relief washed over him before he hurried to Evelyn.