Page 45 of Rhythm Of Redemption

Detective Russell’s words reverberated through Lou’s mind, each revelation emphasising the gravity of their investigation. The realisation dawned on her that this was not a mere coincidence, but a meticulously planned operation.

“So, you’ve been watching Sánchez for a while now,” Lou stated curiously.

Detective Russell nodded; his gaze unwavering. “Yes, our team has been tirelessly working to gather evidence and dismantle Sánchez’s criminal network. We became aware of Angel’s association with him, and that raised concerns about Logan’s potential involvement. Freezing Logan’s assets and closing the club were strategic moves to expose the extent of Sánchez’s operations and bring him to justice.”

Lou’s eyes widened with understanding. The pieces of the puzzle started to align, revealing a larger, more complex picture. Logan had unwittingly found himself entangled in a dangerous web, a pawn in a game orchestrated by Sánchez.

“So, it was a way to corner Sánchez and uncover the truth,” Lou concluded relieved, admiration colouring her words.

Detective Russell nodded again, his expression resolute. “Exactly. By disrupting their operations, we aimed to force Sánchez’s hand and reveal the truth behind Logan’s involvement.”

Lou felt a surge of gratitude welling up within her.

“Does anyone know what happened to Pieter?” Dani’s voice carried a trace of worry, her gaze shifting between Detective Russell and Antonio.

Detective Russell responded reassuringly, “Thankfully, he’s fine, just a few cuts and bruises. We found him in one of Sánchez’s safe houses. Once he’s finished his report, he’ll return to his unit in the Netherlands.”

A sudden realisation dawned upon Dani, causing her breath to hitch. “Wait, he works for you?” she blurted out surprised.

Detective Russell locked eyes with her. “I’m afraid I can’t disclose that information,” he replied with a knowing smile.

As the exchange hung in the air, Lou observed her daughter hesitating for a moment before delving into her pocket. “Actually,” Dani began, her voice uncertain, “I recorded what happened on my phone.” She revealed the device, its sleek surface gleaming under the ambient light. “But I’m not sure if it’s of any use. I mean, you probably have enough evidence against Sánchez already.”

Lou’s attention shifted to Detective Russell, his eyes fixated on the phone as a thoughtful expression graced his face. He extended a hand towards Dani, inquiring, “May I take a look?”

Reluctantly, Dani relinquished her phone, her unease evident in her demeanour.

“I’ll have our experts analyse the content,” Detective Russell replied confidently. “If there’s anything relevant, we’ll make sure to make use of it.”

Curiosity and concern danced across Dani’s features as her phone slipped into the detective’s possession. “When will I get it back?” she asked, full of apprehension.

Detective Russell’s response held a note of uncertainty. “It’s difficult to provide an exact timeline. It depends on what we discover and how it fits into our investigation. We’ll return it to you as soon as we’re finished.”

Annoyance flitted across Dani’s face, the thought of being separated from her phone clearly troubling her. Lou, on the other hand, couldn’t help but feel a hidden sense of relief. She hoped that without her phone, Dani would stay out of trouble, at least for a while.

Chapter twenty-one

Restless and consumed by an overwhelming malaise, Lou tossed and turned in her bed, her mind ensnared in a storm of anxiety. Three long, agonising days had passed since Logan was shot, each moment amplifying the fragile nature of their existence.

She resolutely ignored his calls and messages, her wounded heart determined to deny him any solace. The weight of his reckless actions, endangering both himself and Dani, ignited an unwavering anger within her. The haunting truth was that a woman had lost her life that day, and the unsettling realisation that it could have been Dani or Logan made her feel sick.

Despite her inner turmoil and hesitance to connect with Logan on a personal level, she found herself irresistibly drawn to call the hospital every morning and evening. Her anxious need for updates on his condition eclipsed her reservations and practical judgment. It was a painful paradox—a desperate yearning for reassurance that he would recover, entwined with an instinct to avoid direct contact. The conflict raged within her, a torment of clashing emotions that left her in a constant state of anguish.

While Dani appeared to have brushed off the incident and was keen to visit Logan, Lou couldn't shake the lingering thought that he had placed his own selfish desires above the sanctity of human life. Perhaps, in the future, when Dani had children herself, she would understand Lou's hesitations. But how could she find it in her heart to forgive someone who’d put his own selfish desire to reclaim his clubabove the safety of her daughter?

Anxiety coursed through her veins, her mind a battlefield of conflicting emotions. Within the familiar embrace of her dimly lit room, she sought refuge from the overwhelming fear brought by the intrusion of this foreign world into her life. Tears welled in her eyes, silent witnesses to the storm of turmoil brewing within her.

Beneath the veneer of Logan's seemingly glamorous world lay a treacherous underbelly, a reality that Lou resolutely refused to be a part of. The yearning for safety, stability, and a future free from the ever-present threat of danger surged within her, weighing heavily on her heart. With a determined sigh, she silently vowed to distance herself from Logan, acknowledging that the risk of losing him or exposing her daughter to harm because of his lifestyle was simply too great.

This was not the world she had ever envisioned or sought for herself and her daughter. Nor did she welcome it.

Lou's heart constricted as the memory resurfaced, Dani's words echoing in her mind. Tearfully, she’d confessed that her impulsive attempt to wrestle the gun away from Angel had resulted in Logan being shot. The thought sent a shiver down Lou's spine, a chilling realisation that if Logan hadn't intervened, it could have been Dani lying in that hospital bed right now.

In the depths of her soul, a flicker of unwavering determination ignited—an unyielding resolve to carve a path that would safeguard her own heart and the lives of those she loved.

Lou emerged from a restless night's sleep, her body heavy with exhaustion and her heart filled with sadness. Seeking solace, she allowed the warm water of the shower to wash away any lingering traces of doubt or confusion. Once dressed, she picked up the phone, her fingers trembling slightly as she called the owner of a holiday let on the other side of the island. The arrangements for Logan's stay were swiftly made, each word a bittersweet confirmation of the decision she had made the night before.

Lou's exhaustion weighed heavily on her as she gathered her things, preparing to leave for the hospital. Her sleepless nights had taken a toll, leaving her nerves frayed and her patience thin. As she made her way out the door, Serena's lingering presence caught her attention like an unwelcome spectre. Irritation flickered within her, an ember ready to ignite, as she suspected Serena had connected the dots between Logan's stay at her place and the recent shooting that had been splattered across the news and papers.

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