Chapter 32

Chapter 32 of We Solve Murders unfolds in the quiet confines of a corporate boardroom, where Susan Knox, head of HR at Maximum Impact Solutions, reviews a file on François Loubet, her mind preoccupied with unsettling thoughts. As she glances up from her work, Bloomberg News discusses the impact of high-interest rates, but Susan’s focus remains firmly on Jeff’s mysterious disappearance. The car that was found, riddled with bullet holes and bloodstains, continues to haunt her thoughts. She has tried, in vain, to reach Jeff by phone numerous times, but each attempt has been met with silence, raising questions about his fate.

As she delves deeper into Jeff’s financials, Susan finds herself piecing together a disturbing puzzle. She uncovers a series of bank accounts, some stretching back decades, but most strikingly, none of them have seen any significant movement recently. The Cayman Islands account, known for its high-yield tax-free investment, seems stable, but a closer look reveals only routine transactions and a recent fuel purchase from a South London petrol station. This lack of activity leads Susan to believe that Jeff may have isolated himself, further raising doubts about whether he is alive or simply hiding from something—or someone. The lack of action and sudden disappearance weigh heavily on her, prompting her to consider where Jeff may have hidden his assets, including phones and cash, should he be in danger.

As Susan sits alone in the office, her mind races with potential next steps. The silence of the usually bustling office seems to add to the growing tension as she reflects on the fact that most of the workforce at Maximum Impact Solutions is freelance, leaving her without immediate support. She considers reaching out to Henk, Jeff’s long-time friend, who might be able to provide more insight into Jeff’s disappearance if indeed he has met with foul play. But Susan hesitates, unsure of Henk’s involvement, especially given the suspicion surrounding his connection to Jeff. The complexity of the situation begins to weigh on her as she tries to decipher the truth, and the shadow of Loubet’s threat adds a layer of unease.

The emails from Loubet, however, are what truly trouble Susan. The emails are written in an unnervingly cheerful tone, masking the danger hidden beneath their surface. As Susan pores over the documents, she begins to notice subtle markings and annotations from Jeff, which indicate that he had been investigating Loubet’s true identity. Unfortunately, the only lead on the Client Identity Form is a name and an Indonesian bank account, providing no tangible clues to move forward. Despite feeling stuck, Susan realizes that she can no longer depend on Jeff for answers, especially in his mysterious absence.

A moment of clarity strikes as Susan’s gaze lands on a mirror that conceals Henk’s secret den. She starts to question whether Henk could be trusted, feeling uncertain about his potential involvement in the unfolding situation. After considering all the possibilities, she concludes that reaching out to Amy Wheeler might be her best course of action. Amy has been an integral part of the investigation, and Susan feels she may be able to provide the help she needs to push forward. The urgency of the situation intensifies, and Susan realizes that the files she is working on could hold the key to uncovering the truth before more lives are put in jeopardy.

As the chapter closes, the tension is palpable. Susan, now determined, makes the decision to contact Amy, feeling that time is of the essence. The mysterious circumstances surrounding Jeff’s disappearance, the threatening nature of Loubet’s communications, and the cryptic clues within Jeff’s records all point to a deeper conspiracy. The unresolved questions loom large as Susan prepares for her next move, knowing that the investigation has only just begun.