"Mr. Carter, things went south with that shipment at the dock. The Higher-ups want explanations, and we've got a guy who can lend a hand, and he's not in it for cash." If money wasn't on the table, then the stakes were high. Arnold nonchalantly continued with whatever he was fiddling with. "Since there's an open door, why do you still ask me?" The fact that this person wasn't asking for money meant that the situation was dire, and he needed aid in earnest. "He's got a ten-year-old daughter. The problem is, her mom's got ties to the Russells. We don't want any mess," Scar explained, casting a careful look at Josie. She arched an eyebrow, signaling him to elaborate. "What's the wife's link with the Russells?" "No blood ties, just a loose connection. But the catch is that Dexter brought out the Russell network last night. Worried it might blow up in our faces," Scar shared cautiously. So they were treading carefully. Arnold glanced at Josie and said with a mocking tone, "Oh? Why the sudden Russell network rollout?" Scar carried on, "Heard it's a manhunt." "Sounds like it's someone pretty darn important to him." Josie's irritation grew with his constant reproach and sardonic gazes. She stood up abruptly, wanting fresh air, but a bodyguard blocked her path at the doorway. Without looking at Arnold, she quipped, "Is this your idea of treating a guest?" Arnold twiddled a ring on his finger and said casually, "Aren't you curious about where Wyatt's hiding?" "What can I do if you refuse to tell? Beat it out of you?" Arnold grabbed a half-empty wine bottle and placed it before her, saying, "This one's pretty mild. Down it, and I'll let you in on the secret." Under the dim light, their eyes locked, each harboring their own motives despite the distance. "I mean it." Josie grabbed the bottle of wine and drank it down. However, drinking wasn't her game. The fiery liquor scorched her throat, leaving tears prickling her eyes. As she downed the drink, a cluster of intrigued eyes was fixed on her, their amused voices merging into a playful hubbub. "D*mn, this chick got guts, man." Arnold's grin stretched more expansive, "Watch your language. Let's keep it respectful from now on." His words quelled the playful jabs immediately. Josie summoned every ounce of determination to finish the drink, her balance swaying before steadying. She thudded the bottle on the table, demanding, "Now, can you talk?!" She had a sinking suspicion that Arnold brought her here just for a humiliating spectacle. "Wyatt's in the ICU at the hospital."Josie snapped back to sobriety at once. "Hold on, say again?!" Arnold nodded toward Scar, silently prompting an explanation. Scar stepped forward, unease clouding his eyes, "So, that day, that id*ot showed up and threatened Mr. Carter. We ended up roughing him up. Who could've guessed he was such a pushover? One hit, he was on the floor, got a brain hemorrhage, and collapsed." Watching Josie's face change, Scar jumped in, "Relax, Mrs. Wickam. We didn't go berserk on him. Doc's saying his hemorrhage might've been triggered by all the booze he had before that." He pulled out his phone and flashed some pics as he said that. The medical records dated back a couple of weeks. So, Wyatt couldn't have been part of the recent incident involving Pop. No wonder their Wyatt trail ran cold; he had been bedridden, practically vegetative. Another dead-end in the lead. Josie looked up, took a deep breath, and brushed off Scar's words. Reading her demeanor, Arnold walked up, letting her lean on him. Speaking indifferently yet insinuating something more profound, he told Scar and the others, "Go do what you gotta do with the goods at the dock. Knowing we've got our bases covered should put you at ease." Those in the know nodded and got back to business with gusto. Josie was too wiped out to fend off Arnold. After draining the liquor, her strength and consciousness faded. She rested her head on his shoulder, feeling overwhelmed with the revelation about Wyatt's condition. Arnold tensed briefly before guiding her to sit, passing over some tissues to wipe her eyes. "Why the tears? Wyatt's on the lam; you should be relieved he's not caught up in this mess."