?Chapter 1626:


    The abrupt chime of her phone cut through the stillness. A nce at the screen revealed a call from the police station. Her pulse quickened as she pressed the phone to her ear.


    “Am I speaking with Ms. Russell?” An officer’s voice filtered through the connection.


    “Yes, this is she. How can I help you?”


    “Mr. Walsh has requested to see you. He ims it’s a matter of urgency and insists on speaking with you face to face.”


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    Ste’s grip on the phone tightened. Marc reaching out to her was thest thing she’d anticipated. “I appreciate the call, officer, but there’s nothing more for us to say to each other.” She started to end the call.


    A pause stretched between them before the officer continued, “Mr. Walsh mentioned he has intelligence regarding Arlo and believes you’ll find it valuable.”


    Her hand stilled in midair, suspicion clouding her features. The silence dragged on long enough that the officer must have assumed she’d disconnected, prompting him to repeat her name.


    Pulling herself from her thoughts, she replied quietly, “I’ll be there shortly — but make it clear to him that if this turns out to be a waste of my time, he won’t get another chance to see me.”


    After disconnecting, she grabbed her keys and headed for the prison.


    When she arrived, Marc appeared haggard and neglected, his facial hair grown out from days without grooming. Ste took the seat across from him and lifted the receiver, her tone cial. “Get to the point.”


    The sight of her seemed to stir something in him. A tangle of emotions flickered across his face, and his hand shook as he gripped his own receiver. “Stel, how have you been? I’ve had time to think about everything — about what I did. This is all my doing. The way things ended between us, it’s because of my mistakes. I’m so sorry…”


    She interrupted without hesitation. “I didn’te here for your apologies.” Whatever remorse he felt meant absolutely nothing to her.


    Marc swallowed hard, the words dying on his lips before he could give them voice. But when he noticed the bandage wrapped around her arm, concern broke through despite himself. “Stel, you’re injured. Was it William’s doing? Has he hurt you again?”


    Her brow creased with irritation. “William is the way he is now because of you and Nina. Marc, if you’re going to waste my time with this, I’m walking out.”


    Panic shed in his eyes, and he hurried to shift topics. “Nina worked alongside Arlo before her arrest. She knows exactly where he’s been hiding and could take you straight to him.”


    Ste’s eyes narrowed, though she betrayed no hint of enthusiasm, keeping her demeanor carefully measured. “What reason do I have to trust anything you’re telling me?” Nina had wanted her dead — so why on earth would she offer assistance now? Getting Nina to provide even a basic description of Arlo had been difficult enough, let alone convincing her to personally lead them to his doorstep.


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