Kept in the Dark

"What did you just say? Are you dismissing the search for Gabriel?"

Rome asked in disbelief, eyes fixed on his friend Alfonso.

"N-no! We didn't say we're dismissing the search. We just think it's best if you take a break for now. Let us handle it from here. We promise—first thing in the morning, we'll bring Gabriel back safe and sound."

Rome stared hard at Alfonso, suspicion flickering in his eyes. He couldn't quite explain it, but something felt off. His gut was screaming that they were hiding something from him. 

It was like they had launched their own investigation—and purposely kept him in the dark.

Not only had the urgency in their search efforts dwindled, but even some of the agents and trackers who used to feed him updates had gone silent.

They weren't answering his calls anymore.

Did someone tell them to stop?

Did one of his friends shut the operation down behind his back?