Chapter 626

Pinebrook, Beckett's place. When Madeleine rushed back, it was already three in the morning. The house was dead silent. "Where is he..." Her voice was hoarse as she stared at Dalton Vasquez, wanting nothing but the truth. Dalton kept his eyes down. "Mr. Hale..." "Cut the crap. Just tell me." She slumped on the couch, body stiff. "Mr. Beach disappeared." That was all he'd been told. Nobody knew exactly what happened yet. Madeleine's hands clenched her clothes tightly, trying to stop herself from falling apart. "Why?" Dalton hesitated, then said, "Mr. Collins said Stanton used Terrell to blackmail him. Mr. Beach went to save him... and then both of them disappeared. But missing doesn't mean... he's gone. He might still be alive." Dalton couldn't bear to meet Madeleine's eyes. It was actually Patrick Collins' idea to say Beckett was only "missing." They were afraid Madeleine couldn't handle the truth. In reality, Beckett had been hurt—badly. The boat had exploded, and he'd shielded Terrel