Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem



The four nodded and gestured for him to take a seat.

Charles dove straight into the matter at hand, "A few days ago, Elijah hit me up online, inquiring about a newspaper in Karl Town called Alerasia. You got any beef with them?"

Tarquin frowned, choosing honesty, "The murderer of my parents is likely connected to that newspaper. My mom used to work there."

"Do you know what your parents did for a living?"

"I always thought they were just ordinary writers."

The elders exchanged glances before Charles spoke up, "When Elijah asked me about it, I had no clue about your ties to the Hawkins family. I just warned him that the newspaper was no simple affair and it'd be best to steer clear."

"Yeah, Elijah mentioned that, but it's about my parents' death. I have to dig deeper!"

Charles nodded in understanding, "I was the lead on the security system for that place, but I don't know much. Just that the newspaper is a front for something much bigger. There's a massive secret lab beneath it, with lots of scientists working down there."

Tarquin's brow tightened, "An underground lab?"

"Yeah, I've never been down there myself, and my team was only responsible for the newspaper's security. The lab's security is top-notch, designed by Alerasia's military."

Alerasia's military?! The severity of the situation was suddenly laid bare. Alerasia, a dominant superpower with a strong military-any lab tied to them was no ordinary place!

Tarquin's expression darkened, "Uncle, do you have a list of the researchers there?"

"No, but I can get you the newspaper's staff list easily since we did their security."

"However, the newspaper staff might not be connected to the lab. That level of lab usually has scientists working under code names, not real names." Tarquin nodded, "Thanks, Uncle."

Clayton chimed in, "Because of Hawkins Sea-freight, I've had many dealings with the Ministry of National Security. Before calling you here, I also looked into your parents' case.

According to the Ministry of National Security, just before your parents' incident, they were in contact with them.

The leadership at the Ministry took it very seriously, immediately reporting up to the higher echelons of the government!novelbin

The top brass took even greater notice, quickly coordinating a response. Not only were the armed forces alerted, but a special ops team was also dispatched to assist your parents.

But before the team could reach Alerasia, your parents were murdered abroad.

Their deaths were certainly no accident, but whatever secret they held that garnered so much attention from the government, I'm not clear on."

Tarquin's expression turned grave. No wonder the mystery man had such extensive reach, alarming international powers.

His parents must have been involved in something significant to cause such a stir domestically, elevating it to an international concern! Then, Tarquin thought of Verity Bradford.

Before her death, Verity hinted that the mystery man had been circling her, searching for something.

Now, it seemed whatever he sought was related to this underground lab!

But what exactly?

He hadn't heard his parents mention anything, and there was nothing suspicious among their belongings.

Moreover, if the mystery man wanted to use him to find that something, why attempt to kill him the day Baby was kidnapped?

Was it because he had already found what he was looking for, rendering Tarquin expendable?