The next morning dawned with a sense of anticipation. Ethan Blackwood awoke with a resolve to dig deeper into the tangled web of Ashborne’s secrets. His encounter with Tom Sullivan had provided new leads, and he was eager to follow them. The puzzle pieces were starting to come together, but Ethan knew that understanding Thornwood’s empire would require more than just casual inquiries.

He dressed quickly, took his gun, and made his way to the Ashborne Inn’s dining room, where Mrs. Whitaker’s hearty breakfast awaited. As he ate, he contemplated his next move. The town’s unease with Thornwood and the shadowy rumors surrounding him suggested that there was more to the story than met the eye. Ethan needed to gather more intelligence, and the library was a good place to start.

After breakfast, Ethan headed to the library. Lila Rosewood was already at her desk, immersed in a stack of papers. Ethan approached her with a sense of purpose.

“Good morning, Ms. Rosewood,” he said, sliding into the chair across from her. “I was hoping to continue our discussion from the other day.”

Lila looked up, her expression a mixture of curiosity and professionalism. “Of course, Mr. Blackwood. What can I assist you with today?”

“I’m looking for more specific information about Julian Thornwood’s associates,” Ethan began. “I’ve heard a few names mentioned in passing, and I’d like to see if there are any public records or private documents that might shed light on their connections.”

Lila’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she nodded. “I can help with that. We have various records, including town council minutes, business transactions, and personal correspondence. It might take some time, but I’ll see what I can find.”

“Thank you,” Ethan said. “While you’re working on that, I have another lead I want to follow up on. A local named Tom Sullivan mentioned that Thornwood has been involved in some shady dealings. I’m going to see if I can find out more about these claims.”

“Be cautious,” Lila advised.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Ethan said with a reassuring smile.

With that, Ethan left the library and set out to explore another angle of his investigation. He had learned from Tom Sullivan that Henry Black’s disappearance might be linked to Thornwood’s business. Ethan decided to visit the last place Henry Black was known to have worked—a small warehouse on the outskirts of town.

The warehouse was a weathered, two-story building surrounded by tall grass and overgrown weeds. It looked abandoned, but Ethan knew that appearances could be deceiving. He approached the entrance cautiously, noting the faint smell of chemicals and old wood.

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

As he stepped inside, the dim light revealed a dusty interior filled with new crates and old machinery. The air was thick with the scent of mildew and rust. Ethan carefully examined the area, looking for any signs of recent activity or clues that might explain Black’s disappearance.

While inspecting a stack of crates in the corner, Ethan found a small, hidden compartment. Inside was a collection of documents, some of which were neatly folded and others scrawled with hasty notes. He quickly skimmed through them, noting references to financial transactions and mentions of meetings.

One document, in particular, caught his eye. It was a ledger detailing a series of payments made to an undisclosed recipient. The amounts were substantial, and the dates coincided with significant events related to Thornwood’s business. Ethan photographed the pages with his phone, knowing they could be crucial to his investigation.

Just as he was about to leave, Ethan heard footsteps approaching. He quickly pocketed the documents and slipped out of the warehouse, blending into the shadows. He watched as a nondescript van pulled up to the building. Two men in dark suits emerged, carrying a large bag between them.

Ethan followed them discreetly, maintaining a safe distance. The men led him to a small, secluded house on the edge of town. They entered through a side door, and Ethan waited for a few moments before approaching the property.

The house was quiet, and Ethan could see through a partially open window. Inside, the men were seated around a table, discussing something in hushed tones. Ethan couldn’t make out the details but sensed that whatever was happening inside was significant.

After a while, the men left the house, looking more relaxed than when they arrived. Ethan waited until they were gone before approaching the window. He peered inside and saw a map of Ashborne spread out on the table, marked with various locations and symbols. One of the symbols was a large X over a spot labeled “Meeting Place.”

Ethan made a mental note of the location and decided to return later when he could investigate more thoroughly. He had uncovered a new piece of the puzzle and was eager to see how it fit into the larger picture.

Returning to the library, Ethan found Lila still working at her desk. She looked up as he entered.

“Any progress?” he asked, taking a seat across from her.

Lila nodded, holding up a stack of papers. “I found some documents related to Julian Thornwood’s associates. There are records of business transactions and a few personal letters. Nothing too revealing, but there are a few names that might be of interest.”

Ethan reviewed the documents, noting the names and connections. There were several references to people involved in Thornwood’s business dealings, but nothing that directly implicated him in criminal activity.

“Thank you, Ms. Rosewood,” Ethan said, his mind already racing with possibilities. “I appreciate your help. I’ll need to spend some time reviewing these documents.”

Lila gave him a sympathetic smile. “If you need any more assistance, just let me know. Mr. Blackwood, Julian Thornwood is not someone to be underestimated.”

“I will,” Ethan assured her. “And thank you for the warning.”

As he left the library, Ethan’s thoughts were occupied by the hidden house and the map he had seen. The marked location seemed to be of particular importance, and he was determined to uncover its significance.