The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman) novel Chapter 1019

Mr. Walker didn't even dare light up a cigarette. He sat back down, face serious, and stayed alone on the sofa for what felt like forever.

If Anastasia’s kidnapping really had something to do with his wife, he honestly didn’t know what he’d do.

He mulled it over for a long time before finally picking up the phone. “Mr. Taylor, any news on Anastasia’s kidnapping?”

Mr. Taylor, startled awake by the late-night call, snapped to attention. “Mr. Walker, there’s been no new progress. All four kidnappers are dead, so we can’t get anything out of them. Anastasia was on medication at the time, so her memory’s fuzzy and she hasn’t been able to give us any good leads. It’s still a cold case.”

Mr. Taylor chose his words carefully. He couldn’t figure out why Mr. Walker was calling him at this hour.

The real reason the case had gone cold was because Autumn had come to him privately.

Mr. Taylor always thought it was at Mr. Walker’s direction, so he’d sent Jason off to Einsberg, and since the Salstrom family had dropped their charges, no one pressed for an investigation. The case just faded away, like so many unsolved ones each year.

Mr. Walker said, “Alright, thanks. I got it.”

Mr. Taylor: “……”

He hung up, completely baffled.

Was that a compliment? Had he done well?

It seemed his guess was right—it really had been Mr. Walker’s call all along.

Feeling a little proud, Mr. Taylor figured he’d finally earned some recognition.

Now that the case was officially at a dead end, Mr. Walker felt a bit of relief. Without solid proof, he didn’t want his worst suspicions to come true.

While Mr. Walker was still fretting about Autumn, he had no idea his wife was in someone else’s arms.

Autumn wasn’t home at all. She’d told the housekeeper she was going to bed, then slipped quietly out the back door.

She met Devin at a hotel. She couldn’t resist his sweet talk, and with the regrets in her heart starting to fade, she watched Devin flit around for her and the baby she was carrying—washing fruit, bringing her water, even giving her a foot massage. For a moment, she felt happy.

But it was a fragile kind of happiness—nothing she could really hold on to.

Still, she wanted more.

If Autumn were twenty years younger, she probably would’ve run off with Devin on the spot.

Herman raised an eyebrow. “Well, here’s our chance. I’m curious to see what Mr. Walker does next.”

Dailey asked, “Boss, should I tip Mr. Walker off?”

Herman said, “Family business shouldn’t be aired in public. Mr. Walker wouldn’t want news of his wife’s affair getting out. My guess is, unless something unexpected happens, he’ll be back by tomorrow.”

Dailey didn’t get it, and neither did Anastasia. “How can you be so sure? Unless…?”

Unless Mr. Walker had his own people watching Autumn.

Herman and Anastasia exchanged a glance and both realized what the other was thinking.

Herman nodded. “Mr. Walker didn’t get to where he is by being oblivious.”