Chapter 5: The Reader
The room was quiet, save for the soft ticking of the clock on the wall. Detective Inspector Harold Greaves sat at the head of the table, his sharp eyes scanning the faces of the people gathered before him. It was a small group—Natalie, her face pale and drawn; Shiroshi, his hands clasped tightly in his lap; Officer Ramirez, her expression a mixture of determination and exhaustion; and 黄河, the grocery clerk, who sat with his arms crossed, his face unreadable.
Greaves cleared his throat, drawing their attention. “Thank you all for coming,” he said, his voice calm and measured. “I know this has been a difficult time, but I believe we’re close to uncovering the truth about what happened to Millie. I’d like to go over the facts as we know them and hear your thoughts.”
He opened the file in front of him, his eyes scanning the notes. “Let’s start with the timeline. Natalie, you and Millie entered the grocery shop at approximately 5:17 p.m. You were distracted by a phone call, and when you looked up, Millie was gone. Is that correct?”
Natalie nodded, her eyes filling with tears. “Yes,” she whispered. “I only looked away for a moment…”
Greaves gave her a sympathetic nod before turning to 黄河. “You were working at the counter at the time. Did you see anything unusual?”
Greaves turned to Shiroshi, who shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “And you, Mr. Shiroshi. What were you discussing with the clerk?”
Shiroshi hesitated, his eyes darting around the room. “Just… small talk. Nothing important.”
Greaves raised an eyebrow but didn’t press further. He turned to Officer Ramirez. “Officer, you’ve been leading the investigation. What have you uncovered so far?”
Ramirez leaned forward, her hands clasped on the table. “We’ve identified a person of interest—a man named William Nightingale Beaumont, also known as Bob. He was seen near the grocery shop around the time of Millie’s disappearance. We’re currently searching for him.”
Greaves nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Thank you. Now, let’s consider the possibilities. There are several theories that could explain what happened to Millie. I’d like to go through them one by one.”
He turned to the chalkboard behind him and began to write, his handwriting neat and precise.
Theory 1: The Stranger
Bob, a known predator, saw Millie and took her.
He acted alone, using Shiroshi as a distraction.
Motive: Personal gratification or a twisted sense of possession.
Theory 2: The Family Connection
Bob is Millie’s estranged father.
He took her to “save” her from Natalie, whom he believes is unfit.
Motive: Custody or revenge.
Theory 3: The Conspiracy
Shiroshi and 黄河 are accomplices, working with Bob.
The grocery shop is a front for their operations.
Motive: Financial gain or part of a larger trafficking ring.
Theory 4: The Supernatural
The symbols in the grocery shop and abandoned house suggest occult involvement.
Bob is part of a cult, and Millie was taken for a ritual.
Motive: Ancient, unknowable forces.
Greaves set the chalk down and turned back to the group. “Each of these theories has merit, but we need to consider the evidence carefully. Natalie, do you know if Bob has any connection to Millie?”
Natalie shook her head, her voice trembling. “No. I’ve never seen him before.”
Greaves turned to Shiroshi. “And you, Mr. Shiroshi. Is there anything you’d like to add? Anything at all?”
Shiroshi hesitated, his eyes darting to 黄河 before he spoke. “I… I think Bob is dangerous. He’s not working alone.”
Greaves nodded, his expression grave. “Thank you. Officer Ramirez, what about the symbols? Have you made any progress in deciphering them?”
Ramirez shook her head. “Not yet. But I’m working with a specialist. They’re… unusual.”
Greaves turned to 黄河. “And you, Mr. Huang. Is there anything you’d like to say?”
黄河 stared at him for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he spoke, his voice low and measured. “I think you’re asking the wrong questions.”
The room fell silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Greaves leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “What do you mean?”
黄河 stood, his movements slow and deliberate. “The truth is far more complicated than you realize. But if you want to find the girl, you’ll need to look deeper.”
And with that, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving the others staring after him in stunned silence.
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