Chapter Five: Found her
"Boss, we found out her location," Tony blurted out, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. Sweat clung to his forehead, and the urgency in his voice sliced through the stillness of the study like a sharp blade.
Will sat calmly in his chair, a large leather seat that was both regal and intimidating. The soft crackling of the fireplace filled the room, and the faint aroma of freshly brewed black coffee lingered in the air. He had just taken a slow, measured sip, savoring the bitterness that usually helped him think — but at the sound of Tony's words, his entire demeanor changed.
The porcelain cup paused in midair for a moment, then, almost too gently, he placed it down on the antique oak table beside him. His eyes, dark and unreadable moments ago, snapped up with razor-sharp focus. Every muscle in his body seemed to tense, not with fear, but with something deeper — anticipation. He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. It was as though the world had stopped spinning, and nothing else existed in that moment except what Tony had to say next.
"Say that again," Will said, his voice low but commanding.
Tony took another breath, placing his hand on his chest as if to steady the rhythm of his racing heart. "She's in Country C… and she works at the City Hospital," he said, slower this time, carefully pronouncing every word like it was a piece of a puzzle that had finally clicked into place. Even now, his voice trembled slightly — not from fear of his boss, but from the weight of the news he carried. This wasn't just an update. It was the breakthrough Will had been waiting for.
Will's eyes didn't blink. His fingers interlocked tightly, resting just beneath his chin as he processed the words. "Country C…" he repeated under his breath, his tone almost reverent — like the name of a sacred place. Then louder, "City Hospital."
Tony nodded, still panting, but the nod was firm. "Yes. We tracked the lead from the medical license registry and cross-referenced the alias she used. Facial recognition confirmed it. It's her, sir. I'd stake my life on it."
A beat of silence passed.
"Are you sure it's her?" Will asked — but it wasn't doubt in his voice. It was desperation masked in composure. His eyes were glassy for a fraction of a second, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through the cold exterior he'd built over the years. He had searched for her for eight long years. Eight years of nothing. Eight years of dead ends, false leads, and shattered hope. And now, after all that time, she might finally be within reach.
Tony didn't hesitate this time. He straightened up, catching his breath more steadily now. "Yes, sir. I'm sure. It's really her."
Will exhaled, but it wasn't relief. It was something deeper. A mix of disbelief, grief, and a flame of something he hadn't allowed himself to feel in years — hope.
He stood slowly, towering and composed, but there was a storm brewing behind his eyes. The man who had waited eight years for answers was finally about to get them. And the world had no idea what was coming next.