45. "Cracking the Case: Retired Detective Frank and a Team of Specialists"

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As they walked, Olivia couldn't help but feel a sense of relief mixed with apprehension. The Mistress' accident had caught her unprepared, and she knew her boss would be boiling with anger. Olivia couldn't bear to see her boss's sad face or disappointment in her.

The thought of finding a solution to the case with the help of the retired detective filled Olivia with a glimmer of hope. She knew it would be a difficult task, but she was determined to see it through to the end.

As they reached their destination, Olivia and Penelope parted ways, both eager to see what the next day would bring.

Olivia knew that she needed to prepare for the meeting with the retired detective, so she spent the rest of the evening poring over the details of the case.

She couldn't shake off the feeling of apprehension, though. The Mistress' accident case was a complicated one, and there were too many unanswered questions.

Olivia knew that finding the truth would not be easy, but she was determined to do whatever it takes to bring justice to the victim and peace to her boss.

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The next day, Olivia arrived at the quaint cafe where she was to meet with the retired detective. She spotted him immediately, sitting at a table near the window. He looked up as she approached, his shrewd eyes assessing her as she nervously made her way over to him.

"Ms. Windsor, I presume?" he said, extending his hand in greeting.

Olivia shook his hand, feeling the roughness of his skin and the firmness of his grip.

She couldn't help but feel a little intimidated by the man sitting across from her - she had heard stories of his legendary detective skills and was unsure if she was up to the task of working with him.

"Excuse my rudeness. I am Frank Donovan, as you can see, a retired detective!" he said, letting go of her hand and sitting back in his chair.

"Thank you for meeting with me, Mr. Donovan," she said, taking a seat across from him.

He nodded, taking a sip of his coffee. "So, tell me about the case," he said, his tone matter-of-fact.

Olivia proceeded to give him a detailed account of the Mistress' accident, her words flowing out in a rush as she laid out all the facts and unanswered questions.

The detective listened carefully, occasionally interrupting her to ask for clarification or additional details.

When she finished, he leaned back in his chair and stroked his chin thoughtfully. "This is a tricky one," he said, his voice low and measured. "But I think I can help you."

Olivia felt a surge of hope rise within her. "Really? How?" she asked, her eyes widening with anticipation.

The detective leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with a glint of excitement. "We'll need to do some investigating, of course," he said, his words carrying a sense of authority. "But I have a few leads that might prove useful."

Olivia felt a sense of gratitude wash over her as she sat back in her chair, feeling a sense of relief wash over her.

Maybe, just maybe, they could solve this case after all. As she studied Frank, she couldn't help but feel a sense of compassion for him.

His sorrowful face reflected the weight of his tragedy, and she could see the years of pain etched into his features.

His slight limp and the cane he used to walk were a reminder of the injury he sustained during his days on the force.

But it was the way he wore his worn-out tweed jacket and fedora hat, both a size too big for him, that made her heart ache.

It was as if he was still trying to hold onto a part of his old life, despite the passage of time and the many challenges he had faced.

Olivia knew that Frank's daughter had gone missing many years ago, and he had been unable to solve the case, leading to his retirement.

His wife had passed away before their daughter went missing, leaving Frank with a deep sense of loss and regret.

Despite everything, Frank had never given up on his search for his daughter.

He spent his days poring over old case files and following up on any new leads that may emerge, driven by a fierce determination to find the truth and bring closure to his family's story.

Olivia knew that she was in the presence of a true hero, a tragic figure consumed by grief and regret, but also fueled by an unbreakable spirit and an unwavering commitment to justice.

She felt a sense of gratitude and admiration for Frank, knowing that he was the only one who could help her unravel the mystery of the Mistress' accident.

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Next day,

Before they started to investigate the case, Olivia decided to inform something to Frank.

Olivia leaned forward, excitement clear in her eyes. "I have some news," she said, addressing Frank.

"My assistant, Ronica, has found a few people who could help us with the investigation. They're reliable and have a lot of experience in this line of work."

Frank raised an eyebrow. "Really? That could be useful. Who are they?"

Olivia pulled out her phone and scrolled through her contacts. "There's Marcus, a retired cop who worked in the same precinct as you. He's been working as a private investigator since he retired, and he's got a good reputation. Then there's Sara, a forensic expert who has worked on some high-profile cases. And finally, there's Alex, a tech expert who can help us with any digital evidence we may find."

Frank nodded, impressed. "Sounds like a solid team. When can we meet them?"

"I already hired them and arranged a meeting later today at my office," Olivia replied. "I think with their expertise and our combined efforts, we can crack this case wide open."

Frank smiled, a rare expression of hope on his face. "I'm looking forward to it. Let's go and meet them later."

A while later,

Olivia and Frank made their way to Olivia's office, where they were greeted by Marcus, Sara, and Alex. Olivia introduced Frank to the team, and they exchanged pleasantries before getting down to business.

Marcus was a tall, broad-shouldered man in his fifties, with a no-nonsense attitude and a wealth of experience in detective work.

Sara was a petite woman in her thirties, with sharp eyes and a calm demeanor that belied her expertise in forensic science.

Alex was a young man in his twenties, with a shock of black hair and a confident air that spoke to his skills in digital forensics.

"So, what do we know so far?" Marcus asked, taking charge of the meeting.

Olivia proceeded to give a detailed account of Vivienne's accident, laying out all the facts and unanswered questions. Frank chimed in with his own observations.

Marcus asked pointed questions, probing for any gaps in the information. Sara listened carefully and made notes, considering the forensic evidence that might be relevant.

Alex sat at his computer, scanning through the digital records of the accident and looking for any clues that might have been missed.

Alex typed away on his laptop, pulling up information on the internet and analyzing data. "I think I may have found something," he said, his fingers flying over the keyboard.

"What is it?" Olivia asked eagerly.

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