Chapter 1959
"Got it. I won't spill the beans, and don't let Keegan know I asked you about this," said Stella.
"I would never. He'll be the first to come knocking if he knows that I talked to you. Back then, he was the one helping Marshall's
mom silence people like us. I'm sticking my neck out here just telling you all this. So, don't screw me over," Vermont replied.
Felicity sneered, "Look at you, all weak-kneed. Is Keegan gonna eat you alive?"
"You go up against him if you're so brave," Vermont said.
Felicity hesitated for a moment, suddenly recalling the time when Keegan landed her in the slammer. She cleared her throat and
said, "He hasn't crossed me. Why the hell would I go up against him?"
Vermont laughed and taunted, "You're just a little chicken. The only person you dare mess with is me."
Stella left the group voice call and dropped a WhatsApp message to Detective Karl, whom she hadn't contacted in a long time.
[Can we meet up?]
Detective Karl shot back instantly. [I don't provide additional services after the deal is closed.]
His response left Stella taken aback. [It's not about the previous matter. It's fresh business.]
[What kind of business?] Detective Karl asked.
Stella wanted him to find more information about the driver and passenger in the cab that collided with them previously.
There was a long silence on Detective Karl's end.
Getting a bit antsy, Stella sent another message, [I'll triple the commission.]
However, it did not go through.
Stella's expression soured. 'That jerk blocked me!'
Frowning, she dialed his number. However, she became irritated after being abruptly hung up on four times in a row.
She composed a stern text, [If you don't answer my calls, I'll post your information on my Twitter. You helped women catch their
cheating husbands and split their property. What do you think those men would do when they find out about you?"
A few seconds later, Detective Karl called back. "Give me your bank details so that I can transfer back what you paid me. I don't
want your money anymore."
"I'm not hitting you up for money. I want you to dig into that cab-"
"I can't," Detective Karl cut her off. "You should find someone else."
Stella frowned. "Why not?"
"No reason," Detective Karl said indifferently. "I'm just hustling to make a living. Some things are beyond the scope of a small-
time detective like me."
He paused and added, "I advise you to lay off the investigation. Don't ask anything. Your mom's case is done and dusted.
There's no need to dig into the small stuff. Don't bother ringing me again. I won't pick up even if you do."
Detective Karl hung up after that.
Stella furrowed her brow.
Detective Karl had been active in the circle for so long because he was willing to look into what others wouldn't. But this time, he
rejected Stella.
'Is it just because of the Moore family's connection to this case? Or is there something bigger in the shadows?'
The unknown surrounded them. Whichever path they took, it felt like wandering through thick fog.
Stella rubbed her temples and caught sight of an unread WhatsApp message from Coco on her phone.
She hesitated and clicked on it.