Chapter 89

Chapter 89 of We Solve Murders unfolds in the sleek, glass-walled boardroom of a high-rise in the City of London, where Amy, Jeff Nolan, and Susan Knox, Jeff’s HR head, gather to review an important and ominous file. The early morning light begins to seep into the room, illuminating the dust motes that float in the air, symbolizing the weight of the revelations that will soon surface. As Amy leads the conversation, she highlights that the file contains details of thirty-five clients, each of whom has connections to Vivid Viral, and was introduced to Maximum Impact by Max Highfield. In a chilling discovery, the file also reveals evidence of payments, each worth ten thousand dollars, made to Max’s account for every client. This finding raises immediate suspicions, as it becomes clear that Max’s dealings might be far more extensive and problematic than anyone had initially imagined, adding another layer of complexity to an already intricate investigation. The connections between these clients and Max point toward something far darker, and Amy and Jeff are now more determined than ever to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.

As Susan delves into the details of the investigation, she explains that the inquiry has spanned over two years, uncovering a web of names, with Courtney Lewis emerging as a central figure in the case. Jeff, seeking further clarity, asks about the type of work these clients have been involved with, but Susan explains that these clients are low-value and would not have required much assistance. Their travels didn’t seem to indicate any need for the services Max or his associates might have provided. The lack of meaningful data and actionable leads is frustrating, as the file is comprised only of names, numbers, and addresses, leaving them with no concrete evidence to pursue. It becomes evident that any valuable information must have been filtered through Vivid Viral, but unfortunately, there is little to connect the dots. This realization serves to increase the tension in the room, with Amy, Jeff, and Susan all feeling the frustration of working with such limited resources. The situation starts to feel like a puzzle with missing pieces, and the more they try to solve it, the more elusive the answers become.

In a sudden shift of thought, Jeff begins to wonder aloud if Max might have had some kind of help, prompting Amy to ask who could possibly assist someone as reckless and unpredictable as Max Highfield. Jeff suggests that the key to understanding this may lie in the first name listed in the file, which he connects to Max’s activities. He reveals that the person tied to this name was introduced to him shortly after Max returned from San Francisco, a place where Amy Wheeler had been employed as a close-protection officer. The moment this connection is made, Amy feels a sharp sense of realization, as she begins to understand how her past work for François Loubet could be intricately tied to the case they are currently investigating. The timing of Max’s return and the introduction of the individuals in the file line up with her previous work, something that she hadn’t initially realized was so closely connected to her present circumstances. As this realization settles in, Amy is forced to reckon with the unsettling truth that her past actions have led her directly into the heart of the complex case they are working to solve.

The tension in the room rises sharply as the implications of these connections become more apparent. Jeff and Susan both acknowledge the gravity of the situation as the puzzle pieces begin to fit together in a way they hadn’t anticipated. Amy, meanwhile, is left to grapple with the realization that she has been unwittingly involved in multiple facets of the investigation, both from her personal history and her current role in the case. She understands that her past actions and associations with François Loubet have been far more significant than she ever thought, and they have deeply impacted the investigation. The discovery that her professional history is now interwoven with the complex web of the case adds another layer of complexity to the situation. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, leaving readers with a sense of foreboding and suspense. As the connections between Max Highfield, Vivid Viral, and the clients unfold, the larger conspiracy begins to take shape, hinting at even darker revelations to come. The suspense builds as Amy, Jeff, and Susan are now on the brink of uncovering a truth that will shake the foundations of everything they thought they knew. The intricate web of deceit, betrayal, and long-hidden connections draws closer to being fully exposed, and the characters are left to confront the dangerous truths that have been buried beneath layers of secrecy.