Chapter 117 We’ve Got
Issues To Sort Out
“Barr, I’m texting you the hotel name and a room number. I need you to find the man checked into that room. Hold him until I give further instructions.” Renee’s voice was crisp over the phone as she spoke from the car.
After ending the call, she cautiously peeled back the blanket, revealing Rosa’s face beneath.
The sight was ghastly. Rosa, once praised for her delicate beauty, now bore a horrifying array of bite marks marring her face–some so deep they punctured the skin. Her body was similarly afflicted. Despite Renee’s extensive experience with crime scenes and their aftermaths, the brutality inflicted in such a short span unnerved her. From the moment Rosa had been hauled into the elevator to the instant she and Marvin had found her and forced the door open, barely thirty minutes had passed. Yet, the hefty man had already reduced Rosa to this grievous state.
A chill ran down Renee’s spine as she pieced together the nightmarish puzzle. That man harbored a darkness far beyond normal malice.
It was crucial to find him soon, or any leads would slip through their fingers.
“Is she…” Marvin’s voice came tentatively through the rearview mirror, his eyes flicking with concern.
“She’s unconscious, not dead,” Renee said quietly, her eyes never leaving Rosa’s battered form.
It was evident the pain had overwhelmed her into oblivion.
“Thank goodness,” Marvin gasped, relief momentarily lightening his tone. “We’re
nearing the hospital now. Just a few more minutes.”
But Renee shook her head firmly, her gaze steely. “We’re not heading to the hospital.”
His brow furrowed in confusion. “No? But where then? She needs medical help.”
The injuries Rosa sustained appeared critical. Skipping the hospital seemed like a fatal
decision.
Renee looked visibly worried about Rosa, which only added to his confusion.
“Just keep going straight. After you pass the hospital, make a left turn–there’s a private clinic down that road,” Renee instructed with unwavering certainty in her voice.
“But she’s so badly hurt. Can a private clinic really handle it?” Marvin’s voice trembled slightly.
“Just trust me,” Renee replied, her tone firm and commanding, brooking no argument.
Marvin felt a familiar twinge of anxiety. Renee’s assertive demeanor reminded him of a past incident when he had felt the sting of her temper–a memory that made him nervous whenever she raised her voice or displayed any impatience.
To him, Renee had always seemed like someone who wouldn’t hesitate to confront anyone who crossed her path. Her formidable way of slamming doors was proof enough, her presence alone enough to intimidate anyone who dared stir her ire.
As he drove past the hospital, Marvin was so caught up in his thoughts that he barely noticed the building blur past. He obediently turned left, his eyes then catching the sight of a private clinic. The simple, handwritten “Clinic” sign at the entrance left him momentarily dumbfounded.
How was this any better than leaving Rosa to fend for herself against death?
Despite his doubts, the vivid memory of Renee forcefully kicking the door earlier flashed through his mind–her actions a sharp contrast to her usual tough exterior, showing a rare crack of genuine concern for Rosa.
Deciding to push his reservations aside, Marvin pulled up to the clinic’s entrance. He hadn’t even managed to kill the engine before several people in crisp white coats hurried out, a stretcher in tow. They swiftly opened the back door and carefully transferred Rosa from Renee’s arms onto the gurney.
“Ms. Carter, everything is prepared,” one of them announced confidently.
“Alright, I’ve already sent your boss the details. You’re good to go. And keep me updated, alright?” Renee directed, her gaze following Rosa.
“Understood. We’re on it,” they responded with a reassuring nod before smoothly wheeling the gurney into the building, their professionalism evident in every
movement.
Marvin was completely taken aback.
“So, you’re acquainted with the doctors here? No wonder you were so adamant about this place.”
Renee slowly turned to face Marvin, her initial casual glance intensifying into a piercing stare that seemed to meticulously examine him from head to toe.
Marvin felt an unsettling shiver creep down his spine, compelling him to instinctively shuffle back, widening the gap between them.
“Stop staring like that–it’s unnerving,” he stammered, his voice tinged with unease.
“Why did you even come if you’re that scared?” Renee questioned, her voice laced with a playful undertone.
Caught off guard, Marvin paused briefly before replying defensively, “You’re the one who asked me to drive you here, remember? It’s not like I wanted to come.”
With a dismissive shrug, Renee slid into the driver’s seat of Marvin’s car and extended her hand imperiously. “Keys,” she demanded succinctly.
Marvin looked at her with suspicion but complied, placing the car keys in her waiting
hand.
She tilted her head towards the passenger side in a clear command. “Get in the car.”
With a reluctant grumble, Marvin obeyed, climbing in and muttering, “What now? Where is this all heading?”
“Back to the hotel. We’ve got issues to sort out,” Renee declared, her tone now all business as she started the engine.
