A017's POV
As we arrived at the restaurant, I felt a strange sense of unease. Something seemed off, but I pushed it aside and focused on enjoying the evening with our friends and colleagues. The laughter and conversation were a welcome distraction, and I was glad to see Eric mingling and having a good time.
When Eric excused himself to go to the restroom, I couldn't shake the worry that settled in my stomach. Thirty minutes passed, and Eric still hadn't returned. My concern grew, and I decided to check on him. I excused myself from the table and began searching the restaurant.
He was nowhere to be found. Panic started to set in. I informed our friends and colleagues, trying to keep my voice steady as I asked if they had seen Eric. I also called the CBI, reporting that Eric was missing.
As I waited for the CBI to arrive, my head throbbed with pain, and my heart raced with a mix of fear and frustration. The negative anticipation about Eric's safety was overwhelming, and I felt a surge of rage bubbling up inside me.
The CBI arrived quickly and began their investigation. An agent approached me and asked for any relevant details.
"Liezel, we need to gather all possible information," the agent said. "Can you tell us what happened?"
I recounted the events, my voice trembling. "Eric went to the restroom, and he hasn't come back. I'm really worried."
The agent nodded and began questioning the restaurant staff. Shortly after, one of the agents received critical information from a waitress.
The agent spoke to the waitress, "Can you tell us about the white granules you were given earlier this evening?"
The waitress looked nervous but replied, "A woman, I think her name was Norin, gave me a small packet of white granules. She said it was her medicine and asked me to add it to the drinks."
The agent frowned. "When did this happen?"
The waitress hesitated before answering. "About an hour ago. She said it was important for her health, so I just followed her instructions."
I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach as the agent continued questioning her. "Did Norin mention why she needed this in her drink or anything else unusual?"
The waitress shook her head. "No, she didn't say much. She just told me to add it to her drink and seemed in a hurry."
The agent turned to me. "It looks like Norin might have switched drinks with Eric. The granules could have been a drug intended to incapacitate him."
My heart raced at the realization. "I remember Norin and Eric exchanged drinks at some point. I didn't notice the switch."
The agent quickly relayed the information to the rest of the team, who began searching for Norin. Just then, my phone buzzed with a threatening text message: if I didn't follow the instructions, Eric would be killed.
Elena rushed to my side, her face filled with concern. "Liezel, what happened? Who did this?"
I shook my head, struggling to stay composed. "I don't know who's behind this, but Eric's been taken. They've threatened his life if I don't do what they say."
The CBI agents continued their investigation, but with Norin on the run and Eric's life in danger, time was running out. All I could do was hope that we would find him before it was too late.
