Chapter 8: Fear

"You bastard! You're the one who kidnapped my Dad!"

Carlos came forward, wanting to punch Diego in the face, but two of Diego's bodyguards arrived and quickly pushed Carlos away.

The two men in black punched, kicked, and dragged Carlos outside. Carlos was forcibly removed.

"My business with that asshole isn't done yet, let me go!"

"You've caused trouble here. According to the rules, we must expel you to prevent further chaos," a guard said loudly.

Carlos' body was pushed to the ground. Carlos got up and tried to get back in, but he couldn't because he was blocked by the two guards.

Meanwhile, Diego was smiling contentedly inside his house, satisfied that he had succeeded in making Carlos angry.

"We kicked that man out of here, but he's still outside the gate, not leaving," a bodyguard reported to Diego who had moved to the back of the house, near the swimming pool. "Leave him alone. If he dares to come in again, then I'll teach him a lesson myself."

"Yes, Sir," the bodyguard bowed politely.

***

Annoyed and angry, Carlos had been waiting in front of Diego's mansion for an hour. Carlos wanted to enter again with the same purpose, which was to find out news about Austin.

However, the house was heavily guarded by Diego's men. It was difficult to get in and see his cousin.

Carlos returned home unsteadily. He couldn't find Austin. He knew that Margareth was desperate for her son to bring Austin home.

"How was it, son?" asked Margareth as she ran up to Carlos who had just gotten out of the car.

"I went to the nightclub and had a few drinks, and then I disappeared," Carlos replied lamely.

"Disappeared? Disappeared how?" asked Margareth, rounding her eyes.

"No one knows. But someone saw Dad talking to Diego before he disappeared. I'm sure Diego has something to do with this. So, I went straight to Diego's house to look for him. But Diego was evasive and kicked me out, mom."

"Diego...?" said Margareth softly.

"Yes, Mom. I believe Diego is the one behind your disappearance."

"Does he already know that we've been—"

"Sttt... be quiet, Mom," Carlos put his forefinger to his lips. "Dad said not to talk about it anymore. It's just the past, and we just have to live the future."

"I'm getting scared, Carlos. I'm afraid that Diego will find out about our conspiracy and take revenge," Margareth pressed her palms against her chest.

"Calm down, Mom. I hope Diego doesn't find out. There is no proof that we killed Uncle Brandon and Aunt Cecilia died."

"So, what should we do, Carlos? Should we go to the police?" asked Margareth fearfully.

***

Liby Advertising, 10.00 AM.

"There are police looking for you, Nir," Nick reported to Diego who was busy with his laptop in his office.

"The police?" Diego repeated Nick's words with a furrowed brow. "What are the police doing here?"

"I don't know. They just said they wanted to see you."

"Okay, let them in," Diego said finally. Diego leaned his back against the chair. He stopped his work for a moment.

"Okay."

Diego could predict one thing. The arrival of the police must have something to do with Carlos. Carlos must have reported to the police about Austin's disappearance yesterday.

In just a few minutes, the two policemen entered Diego's office. They were immediately invited to sit on a sofa not far from the desk.

"I'm sorry to disturb your busy schedule," said one policeman after everyone was seated, including Diego. Nick stood beside Diego with a straight face.

"It's okay. I'm sorry, what's your purpose in coming here?" Diego asked with a flat expression.

"There was a missing person report to our office. Mr. Austin's wife, Mrs. Margaret, reported her husband missing some time ago. The reporter said she suspects you to be the one who caused Mr. Austin to go missing. So, we are here to find out your involvement in Mr. Austin's disappearance a few days ago at the nightclub. There are a few questions we would like to ask you. We hope you will be willing to answer our questions and cooperate to give us true and honest answers," one of the policemen stated his purpose.

"Sure. I will answer according to what I know."

"Well, shall we begin, sir?"

"Go ahead."

The policemen asked Diego 30 questions. Diego answered the questions calmly. There was no panic or tension. The expression on Diego's face was impassive.

Every word he said was straightforward and easy to understand.

"So, you went straight home the night Mr. Austin went missing?" The last question one of the policemen asked.

"That's right."

"Can you provide us with proof that you actually went home that night?"

"Sure. I was driven home by Nick, my personal assistant." Diego gave Nick a quick glance, and Nick nodded in response, confirming what Diego had said to the police. Then, Diego's gaze returned to the two policemen in front of him. "You can check the CCTV of the nightclub parking lot, and also the CCTV at my house. The time is close together. I went straight to bed and didn't do anything else."

"Can we ask you some more questions?" The other policeman asked for permission.

"Go ahead."

"Are you willing to have your office and home searched by the police today?"

"Don't you believe my answer?" Diego asked back. He was quite annoyed with the police request.

"This is just an inspection procedure, Mr. Diego."

"The search can only be carried out if I have been proven to be involved in Uncle Austin's disappearance. Meanwhile, my status here is only as a witness. You have no right to search my home and office. But, in order to prove that I'm not involved, please search."

"Okay. Please do not go anywhere during the search."

"Okay. As you requested."

The two policemen began to search Diego's office, assisted by two other policemen who had been waiting in the police car.

The search lasted for an hour. However, the four policemen found nothing suspicious.

The search moved to Diego's house, which was not too far from the company. And... it was the same at Diego's house, the police found nothing.

Finally, the state apparatus left Diego's house. Diego stood in the doorway with his arms folded across his chest. He smiled wryly.

"You won't find anything here," Diego whispered slyly.

Daylight turned into night.

Diego was in his study. He was enjoying a glass of wine while leaning his back against the chair. He stayed like that for a while until his gaze fell on the clock on the wall.

It was already 11 pm. Diego set the wine glass on the table, stood up, and walked over to the bookshelf beside him.

One of Diego's hands reached out, pressing a black button hidden behind a stack of books.

The bookshelf in front of Diego moved as soon as the button was pressed. Behind the bookshelf was a secret door.

Diego opened the door and entered immediately. He walked through a three-meter-long hallway, then down the stairs.

As it turned out, the door was connected to the basement. A place that not many people knew about. Only certain people knew about it.

Diego walked up to a man sitting on a wooden chair with his hands and feet bound, his mouth sealed with adhesive.

Diego reached out to a guard who was standing there. The guard understood and handed him a full bucket of water.

And... splash!

Diego splashed the body in front of him, opening his eyes instantly.

"Good evening, Uncle Austin," Diego greeted with a wicked smile.