"Hmm..." Anastasia frowned, growing more confused. "Something seems off. Carriers don't get infected?"

Alexander shook his head apologetically. "I can't fully explain it now, and honestly, I haven't figured it out myself. But I want to assure you, you won't die. You need to rest and care for yourself for the next two days, and..." He paused, glancing around. "You can't wander. You must stay here. Understand?"

Anastasia nodded. "I understand. I won't go anywhere, since transmitting the virus is possible." Immediately, she added, "But I've been in contact with several people in the past two days. Will that be a problem?"

Alexander had considered this. "We'll have to see how things develop. No one can say for certain. I just hope it won't be highly contagious." He'd done all he could; the rest was beyond his control.

"By the way," he said, deciding to ease her mind, "I've found your father." He couldn't give many details. "He's safe for now, but he can't come back yet."

Anastasia's relief was instantly replaced by puzzlement. "Really? Where is he? Why can't he come back? What's he doing?"

Alexander was ready. "Tasia, you're not a child anymore. You know the nature of your father's work. Some things are confidential. You should understand that. He's still in Kingsland. He's safe. His not returning is his decision. He has his reasons, and you should trust him, right?"

His words, coupled with her inherent trust, calmed her. She was reminded of her father's frequent absences, his unexplained missions, sometimes returning with injuries, simply saying he had work. Initially, she'd questioned it, but over time, she'd accepted it, silently worrying instead. This time, however, the strange events heightened her concern.

"I trust you," Anastasia said. "I won't ask, as long as he's safe. Oh, what about the police?"

"I'll inform them. Don't worry." Alexander had already contacted them, discovering Cameron had made prior arrangements. The continued search, without revealing everything to the police, was a calculated diversion, bolstering credibility and making Rhea believe she was in control. Cameron's sacrifice and elaborate plan hinged on whether a certain cunning organization would take the bait.