MY SUGAR MUMMY IS A BEAUTIFUL VAMPIRE

Chapter 109: Got to impress a Shelly

Back at their office, Yolanda rapidly typed commands into her computer terminal, her brow furrowed in concentration. "Okay, I cross-referenced the owner's name from our field notes with residential records and business licenses. Managed to get the nephew's full name - Carlos Eduardo Jimenez."

Paul nodded in approval as he and Greg leaned over her workstation. "Excellent work. We just need to pinpoint this Carlos kid's current whereabouts and residential address so we can pay him a visit."

"One step ahead of you," Yolanda said, her fingers flying across the keyboard. "Pulling up public records databases to hunt for utilities, employment info, social media traces..."

After a tense few minutes of silent searching, Greg pointed toward one of the displays. "There, got a hit - cell phone number with billing address matching a Carlos Jimenez in that same neighborhood as the market."

"Pull up that address location," Paul instructed, feeling a surge of momentum. "Let's get eyes on and vet this lead before we commit to a face-to-face."

Within moments, Yolanda brought up an exterior image of a modest two-story house in a residential neighborhood not far from Ana's Market. The property looked reasonably well-kept but unassuming.

"Okay, this could very well be our guy," Paul said slowly as he studied the details. "But before we charge over there, let's do some additional reconissance. The last thing we want is to tip him off prematurely and risk him clamming up or Going rabbit on us."

Greg consulted his notepad, frowning thoughtfully. "Based on the owner's comments, this Carlos would have been in charge of the store that entire evening while his cousin was out and he was out at the back. He's potentially our star witness to verify Blake's presence in the vicinity at that critical time window."

Yolanda murmured an agreement. "Which means his statement could either provide the definitive proof we need to solidify Blake's defense, or potentially sink our entire alibi strategy before it gets off the ground."

A tense beat of silence passed between the three investigators as the gravity of their assignment reasserted itself. Finally, Paul clapped his hands together and straightened his shoulders.

"Right then, no sense dilly-dallying about this. We need to mobilize and vet this Carlos kid with extreme diligence before engaging. Our entire case could hinge on his eyewitness account." He fixed his associates with a level look. "Greg, I want you to saddle up and take the first overwatch shift outside that house to monitor activity and patterns."

Greg instantly threw a sharp nod of acknowledgment. "You got it, chief. I'll log all the comings and goings, routine schedules - anything that could aid in the best approach window."

"Understood," Paul said before turning his focus to Yolanda. "In the meantime, you're with me parsing every shred of available public data to assemble background profiles on this Carlos - education, employment history, associates, any skeletons we could potentially use as leverage if he proves uncooperative."

Yolanda's expression hardened with grim pragmatism. "Consider it done. We'll put together a full dossier so this kid has nowhere to run or hide if he tries to dodge our inquiries."

Paul allowed himself a faint smile at their crisp responsiveness. He'd carefully assembled this team over years of investigative work, and they exemplified the tenacity to pursue every lead until its ultimate conclusion - no matter the obstacles or ethical boundaries that had to be bent along the way.

These two understood what was at stake, recognized how Carlos Jimenez could prove the lynchpin for either solidifying Blake's innocence...or inadvertently condemning him.

And none of them would accept failure in this crucial endeavor. Not with Rose's undying trust and Blake's very future weighing upon their shoulders.

"Okay then," Paul said, clapping Greg supportively on the back as he moved toward the exit. "Let's get to work. Time is of the essence on this one, so don't spare any resources in putting a quick bead on this Carlos. We all know the stakes for Blake - now we need to ascertain if this nephew can help us rise to meet them."

With a steely round of nods, the trio split off to execute their respective missions. For Greg, that meant taking up an unmarked overwatch post across from Carlos's residence to log every aspect of his routine over the next 12 hours. For Yolanda and Paul, it involved a deep data mining operation unlike any they'd executed before.

Every digital fingerprint Carlos had left scattered across the web would be exhaustively compiled and analyzed for potential leverage purposes.

Because the time for delicate half-measures had clearly passed on Blake Shelton's case. Now that they had their potential key witness in their sights, only complete and utter verification would suffice. And if Carlos proved reluctant or uncooperative in providing those answers, Paul's team would exert every tool and tactic at their disposal to compel cooperation by any means required.

The hours ticked by in silence as the three investigators steadily amassed information to aid their line of inquiry. Greg periodically messaged status updates flagging Carlos's morning and afternoon movements, when he departed for some errand or nondescript job.

Yolanda cross-referenced every data point against their stockpiling background file, attempting to assemble psychological and personal profiles that could guide their approach strategy.

And through it all, Paul oscillated between funneling resources to support his team, and quietly reflecting on the personal undertones driving their crusade. Though Gary had initially retained them to methodically pursue Blake Shelton's defense, Paul couldn't ignore the unspoken contexts elevating the stakes this time around.

Rose Shelley's bottomless drive was no mere theoretical advocacy - she had clearly and unmistakably pledged her personal and professional future on seeing Blake's name cleared. There existed a connection, a depth of emotion and arguably reckless investment that transcended whatever sanitized narrative their firm hoped to present in court.

Rose's unstated motivations, no matter how vehemently she professed otherwise, blazed with scarcely concealed desperation and turmoil.

Which, in effect, transformed their seemingly routine investigation into an operation laden with far deeper implications. They were not merely chasing justice through court admissible means anymore, but attempting to rescue someone from a tragic fate that felt increasingly undeserved.

But if they were being honest, they were even more driven by the sheer magnitude and aura of the name "Shelly" that tasked them with this operation.

Closing this case on a good note could potentially seal their careers and send them straight into the big leagues. Not that they weren't already popular within the states already but they knew with Rose Shelly's connection and them rubbing off on her positively, it could mean a brighter future for them.

They had heard she dropped her former defence council for them and were keen on making the best they could put of the wonderful opportunity presented to them. For all they knew, it wasn't every time a multi-billionaire walked into their lives.

This was their big break and a chance to prove their worth.