One Hundred and Nine

CHAPTER 109

Noel was busy taking care of some paperwork when suddenly Hendrick came in with panicked steps. The thin man looked up, seeing Hendrick who was breathing heavily, he had finished running a hundred kilometers in one lap, and that confused Noel.

"What's the matter, Hendrick? You came here running, hm?"

Noel's joke was ignored by Hendrick. The fat man was trying to catch his gasping breath, when he was finally able to speak again. "Ace Blake just escaped from prison!"

"What did you say?!"

Noel's heart was racing. Ace Blake, the notorious criminal mastermind, had been languishing behind bars for masterminding some of the most daring murders in the history of New York City. His escape is causing trouble for everyone, especially for those who have met him.

Hendrick, still breathing heavily, managed to catch his breath. "I was at the police station when the alarm went off. They found his cell empty. Looks like he had help from inside. I'm sorry, Detective."

Noel's mind was racing. Ace Blake was a formidable opponent, known for his cunning strategies and ability to outsmart even the most vigilant authorities. "We should warn everyone. Ace won't waste any time. Get the heavy crime team to go around the city, I'll let Nicholas know about this."

"Isn't Nicholas still in the hospital?"

Noel nodded in agreement. "You're right. But I promise to keep him informed. And Ace's escape from prison... is news he should hear straight from my mouth."

Hendrick closed his mouth. He had nothing to say about Noel's decision. And Noel immediately went to the hospital to see Nicholas.

****

At the hospital, Nicholas had just finished being examined by Doctor Harris. Alicia was still by his side as he recovered from the gunshot wound to his leg.

"The condition of your wound has improved, but it still takes time to walk normally. I advise you to use a wheelchair so that you won't have any difficulty in moving around if you really need to."

Alicia, who heard all the doctor's explanations, raised her voice. "Can Nicholas come home this week?"

Nicholas and Dr. Harris turned their attention to Alicia. She smiled a little and looked at Dr. Harris anxiously. Nicholas' condition more or less made Alicia feel guilty. This whole incident happened because of her.

Nicholas glanced at Alicia, his eyes softening with gratitude for her concern. He knew Alicia blamed herself for what had happened, but he could not bear to see her burdened by guilt.

Dr. Harris nodded in understanding. "She can go home, but she must rest completely. And I mean it, Nicholas. There is no heroism."

Alicia's relief was palpable. She promised to take care of him, her determination shining through her worry.

"Thank you, Doctor," Nicholas said, to which Doctor Harris returned a smile.

"Just make sure you take your medication regularly and don't get involved with crime soon unless you want your wound to tear again."

"Ah, alright, alright, I understand."

Doctor Harris left them alone. Alicia walked over to Nicholas and looked at the wound on his right thigh. "I'm sorry for causing you this pain, Nic."

"Come on, Alicia. You've apologized a thousand times already." Nicholas crossed his arms over his chest. He squinted and continued, "You want me to die of boredom because you keep apologizing, um?"

"Tsk, no, Nic. I'm serious about apologizing. It really makes me sorry."

Nicholas took Alicia's hand and held it tightly. He looked into Alicia's blue eyes. "I love you and that's the risk of loving you, but it's also my duty to take care of you, so... don't feel guilty about anything."

CRACK!

The sound of the door opening made Alicia pull her hand away from Nicholas. They stared at the door awkwardly when they found Noel standing with a reluctant expression.

"Oops. Did I disturb you?" asked Noel.

Nicholas' heart raced as he tried to compose himself, glancing at Alicia with an apologetic look before turning his attention to the unexpected guest. "No, not at all, Noel. What's wrong?"

Noel hesitated for a moment, realizing the tension in the room. "I... I just want to talk about something important. May I come in?"

Alicia gave Nicholas a worried look, who nodded slowly, letting Noel in. As he entered, Noel's gaze shifted from Nicholas to Alicia, sensing an unspoken exchange.

"It's about Ace, there's bad news."

The expressions on Alicia and Nicholas' faces turned serious.

"What is it, Noel?" Nicholas clarified his question.

Noel took a deep breath, bracing himself. "Ace has disappeared. Vanished without a trace. He managed to escape from the prison and the chances are that he had help from one of the guards inside the prison."

Alicia's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes widened in shock. "Disappeared? How? When?"

Nicholas let out a long breath. "This is really bad."

Noel watched their reactions, urgency gripping him. "We have to act fast. Ace isn't just another runaway. He's a convicted serial killer. He could kill again."

Alicia's mind raced. "But why would he run? He knows the risks. The whole town is watching him, where would he go?"

Nicholas interrupted, his tone laced with concern. "She's always been an unusual person. There is something bigger at play here, something bigger than what we know."

Noel nodded. "We need to find him before the murders come back. I was already suspicious after Ace got a remission of sentence from the judge, and now? He can even escape from the number one prison in the city. This is crazy!" The implication hung in the air, an unspoken threat that made Alicia's heart race. "But where should we start?"

Nicholas leaned in, his voice low. "His last known whereabouts?"

Noel's eyes flickered with determination. "We have to think like him. Ace always has a backup plan. He wouldn't risk exposing himself without a strategy."

Alicia's mind filled with possibilities. "She has a network, people who owe her favors. Contacts we might not know about."

Nicholas tapped his fingers on the table. "We have to reach him secretly. The longer he's out there, the more dangerous it is for all of us."

"You mean... we have to hide this news from the media?"