“Wait, you found him?!” Thomas exclaimed, his voice a mix of surprise and urgency. “Yes, there is a sighting of him at the mall!” answered Officer Chris, his expression serious.“Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s go get him!” Thomas responded eagerly. “Get yourself dressed first! You’re still in pajamas!” Officer Chris pointed out.
Thomas’s mother appeared behind him, concern etched on her face. “What happened?” she asked. “They have found Butler Eric!” answered Thomas. “Oh! Did you catch him?” she asked, her voice tinged with both hope and fear. “No, but Detective Phoebe and other police officers are currently on the lookout at the mall,” answered Officer Chris before Thomas sprinted across the hallway. “Wait, you’re coming with them?” his mother asked, worry creeping into her tone. “Yeah, I’d like to see what happens next!” Thomas called out as he ran upstairs.
He dashed into his bedroom and took a very quick bath. Minutes later, he emerged, dressed in casual clothes. He quickly slipped on his shoes and descended the stairs, his heart pounding with anticipation. His mother was in the kitchen, packing his breakfast in a food container. “Good luck catching him, okay?” she said, handing him the meal. Her eyes were filled with both pride and anxiety.
“Thanks, Mom,” he replied, giving her a big hug before heading out the door. Officer Chris was already in the police car, the engine running. Thomas rushed over and jumped into the passenger seat. “Be safe there, okay?” his mother shouted from the doorway. “I will!” Thomas answered, waving at her before closing the car door. The car zoomed off into the distance moments later, the tires screeching on the pavement. Thomas glanced back to see his mother watching them, her hand slowly lowering as she closed the door. As they sped towards the mall, Thomas looked down at the food container his mother had given him. He opened it to find a cheesy egg sandwich. “Delicious!” he murmured, taking a big bite. The familiar taste brought him a small measure of comfort amidst the chaos of the day.
The drive to the mall was tense, the air thick with anticipation. Officer Chris kept his eyes on the road, his knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel. Thomas could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins, his mind racing with thoughts of what they might find. “Thomas, remember to stay back when we arrive. Let us handle this,” Officer Chris said, his tone firm but understanding. “I will,” Thomas replied, though his resolve was clear. He needed to see this through, to be there for Beatrice.
“Hey Thomas, the thing about Butler’s wife and son?” “Yeah? What’s up with that?” Thomas leaned closer. “When Detective Phoebe was interrogating Mrs. Williams the other day, she mentioned where Butler Eric’s wife and son live, right?” “Yes.” He nodded. “But when we searched for their home the second time last night around eight o’clock in the evening, we tried entering the house, but when we got there, they were nowhere to be found.” “That’s strange,” Thomas commented.
“And now, there is a sighting of him at the mall. I just hope we catch and get answers from him.” Said Officer Chris as he parked the police car near the mall entrance. “If you ever see Butler Eric inside, shout and call for us, alright? I don’t want you chasing that guy alone.” He added. “Alright,” said Thomas, taking the final bite of the sandwich in his hand. Officer Chris unlocked his seatbelt and stepped out of the car. Thomas followed suit, shutting the car door behind him. The mall loomed ahead, its massive structure casting a long shadow. As they approached the entrance, they noticed a police car parked nearby with Officer Walter standing on lookout.
“Hello, Officer Walter. What are you doing here?” Thomas asked. “I’m waiting for the other officers to arrive. I swear I saw Butler Eric here. I tried to chase him, but he slipped away. I contacted Detective Phoebe and Officer Chris for backup,” Walter explained, his eyes scanning the crowd. “Alright, we’ll find Detective Phoebe and help with the search,” Thomas said. “Thanks,” Walter replied, relief evident in his voice.
Detective Phoebe was there, directing officers and coordinating the search efforts. She spotted Thomas and Officer Chris as they approached, her expression a mix of relief and determination. “Thomas, you’re here. Good,” she said. “I have an extra photo of Butler Eric,” Phoebe said, handing him a photograph of the butler. “Can you help us ask people in the mall if they’ve seen him around today?” “No problem, Detective.” The detective nodded with pleasure, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Stay close, but remember to let us do our job.”
Thomas nodded back, his eyes scanning the bustling scene. The mall was large, with many entrances and exits, and the task ahead seemed daunting. But with every officer focused and determined, there was a sense of hope. “We have officers positioned at every exit,” Detective Phoebe explained. “We’ll find him. We need all the eyes we can get. This place is huge, and it’s easy to lose someone in the crowd,” Detective Phoebe said, her tone brisk. “Officer Chris is covering the south wing. You take the east. Keep your walkie-talkie on and report any sightings immediately.” “Understood,” Thomas nodded, feeling the weight of the task ahead, receiving the walkie-talkie Detective Phoebe gave to him.
He took a deep breath, ready to face whatever came next. The hunt for Butler Eric was on, and they wouldn’t stop until Beatrice was safe. As Thomas entered the mall, he was greeted by a blast of cool air from the air conditioner. The mall’s atrium was massive, filled with the buzz of shoppers and the bright glow of neon signs. Shops lined the walls, showcasing everything from furniture and clothes to toys and electronics. The central fountain, a popular meeting spot, was surrounded by people relaxing and chatting.
The atmosphere was lively, but Thomas couldn’t shake the tension in his gut. Somewhere in this bustling crowd, Butler Eric was hiding. He moved towards the east wing, his eyes scanning every face. The mall was a labyrinth of shops and corridors, each turn presenting new challenges. He checked every corner, every possible hiding spot, determined not to let Butler Eric slip through their fingers again.
There were two pairs of escalators on the sides of the atrium; two on the left—one going up and one going down—and the same configuration on the right. In the middle of the atrium stood a stunning fountain, its tiles a shimmering teal. Thomas watched the water droplets fall, creating a mesmerizing dance as they splashed into the pool below. A trash can caught his eye, and he walked over to it, discarding an empty food container.
He raised his hand to look at the photograph of the butler. Thomas approached a couple sitting beside the fountain, determined to assist with the search. “Hello, sorry to interrupt, but have you seen this man around the mall today?” he asked, showing them the photo of Butler Eric. The couple examined the picture. “No, I haven’t seen him, sorry,” the woman replied. “It’s okay, thank you,” Thomas said, moving on. He glanced around, seeking another potential witness. His eyes landed on a man who appeared to be in a hurry.
“Excuse me, have you seen him around?” Thomas asked, pointing to the photo. “Nope,” the man replied curtly, continuing on his way. “Alright... thanks,” Thomas muttered, watching him disappear into the crowd. He felt a mixture of frustration and determination. He needed to find Butler Eric. This was for Beatrice, and he wouldn’t give up easily. He scanned the area again, his eyes narrowing in focus. He saw a group of teenagers chatting near a clothing store and decided to try his luck with them.
“Hey, guys, sorry to bother you, but have you seen this man around today?” Thomas asked, holding out the photo. One of the teenagers, a girl with bright blue hair, took the photo and studied it. “I think I saw him near the food court earlier. Not sure, though.” “Thanks, that helps a lot,” Thomas said, his hope rekindled.
He headed towards the food court, weaving through the throngs of shoppers. The aroma of various cuisines filled the air, but Thomas was too focused to be distracted. Thomas sighed. Deep inside, he knew it would be a hard time for him. He walked farther from the fountain, planning to head into one of the shops to ask people there. Just as he was about to look to his left, he stopped suddenly. His jaw dropped. To his surprise, a man wearing brown pants and a black T-shirt was seen walking away from the male restroom. It was him, the one everyone had been miserably searching for—the one and only Butler Eric. Thomas stuttered, pointing and yelling, “It’s... it’s... It’s him!! There he is!!”
Detective Phoebe and Officer Chris turned their heads towards the butler. Butler Eric looked back, and to his surprise, he began to run away within moments. Thomas and Officer Chris chased after him, right behind the detective. Thomas swooshed through the area, racing after him. “Oh no!” The butler entered a flower shop, with Detective Phoebe following close behind. “Stop right there!” she shouted. Thomas entered, too, his eyes wide open. He looked left, but when he turned his head to the right, the butler was seen running outside the flower shop in the flash of an eye.
“There he is!” Officer Chris ran closer until the butler ascended the escalator to his left. Officer Chris lost sight of him, but Thomas didn’t. He chased behind Butler Eric on the escalator. People around watched as they witnessed Butler Eric running for his life. When he landed on the second floor, he dashed to his left. Thomas jetted behind him. He looked up and saw the butler running towards the cinema. “Stop! We just want to talk!” he shouted.
The butler, skeptical and agitated, looked from left to right repeatedly. A man at the ticket counter saw the butler. “What movie are you gonna watch?” he asked calmly. Butler Eric looked back, saw Thomas running towards him, trembling, and dashed inside the cinema auditorium. “Hey! You don’t have a ticket!!” the man called after him, getting off the counter. Thomas barged into the auditorium doors, the interiors dark and hard to see. A projector flashed the film onto the screen, and people were sitting and watching. He tried his best to find Butler Eric, but all he could see were silhouettes. The man showed up behind Thomas, and the two tried searching for the butler.
Thomas looked at the screen for a brief moment. When he turned back, he saw the doors opening to the outside, spreading light across the room. He saw Butler Eric running away, leaving the door swinging back and forth. “No!” he whispered. “Wait, you also don’t have a ticket!!” the man yelled, realizing, as Thomas jumped from his grasp and tried to flee the room, scurrying towards the exit. Thankfully, he got outside, but Butler Eric was already far ahead, with Detective Phoebe after him. Thomas ran after the two, heading into the mall’s food court. “Catch that man!” Detective Phoebe shouted while people stood around witnessing the chase. Butler Eric dodged obstacles, and the detective tried throwing stuff at him to slow him down.
While running, the butler grabbed a garbage bin beside him and slammed it over with his hands. The bin toppled, spilling trash onto the floor. Detective Phoebe, unfortunately, ran through it and tripped over a banana peel. Her body smacked the floor as Thomas ran past her. “STOP!” he screamed. Butler Eric ran towards the escalators. Thomas glimpsed through the first floor’s grounds from the glass above and saw Officer Chris hiding behind the escalator where the butler was descending. Thomas ran towards the escalator, reaching his hand towards the butler’s back. He was going to catch him; his hands were almost grabbing the butler’s shirt. The butler got down to the first floor, until Officer Chris showed up in front of him out of nowhere, startling Butler Eric. He grabbed the butler with his arms, and they both fell because of the butler’s fast motion.
Thomas stopped, seeing Officer Chris pressuring Butler Eric down, as Officer Walter and other policemen appeared and locked handcuffs onto the butler’s wrists. They found themselves back at the center of the mall, beside the beautiful fountain. Detective Phoebe was seen coming down from the escalator, sighing in relief. The crowd gathered, witnessing the entire event. Butler Eric whimpered; he knew it was over. He saw Detective Phoebe walking towards him, kneeling down to look at him.
“Greetings, I am Detective Phoebe, and you have to come with us.” Thomas saw the butler shaking, lying on the ground, desperately trying to get out of the police officer’s grasp. “I’m sorry it took us so long,” said Officer Walter to Detective Phoebe. “It’s okay, at least we captured him,” she replied. Thomas watched as the handcuffed butler was escorted by policemen out of the mall, where a police car awaited. Detective Phoebe looked at Thomas. “Thank you, Thomas, for finding and spotting the butler.” “I just hope we get answers from him...” Thomas looked down. “We’ll make him talk. Don’t worry.” Detective Phoebe patted Thomas on the shoulder. He breathed out, smiling at the detective. “Let’s go to the police precinct, then.”
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Thomas watched as Officer Walter wrapped an object around Butler Eric’s torso, much like he had done with Paul the previous day. A black ring-like device was secured around Butler Eric, who asked, “What are you doing to me?” “You are currently being polygraphed,” said Detective Phoebe. Butler Eric struggled, but the handcuffs binding him to the chair made escape impossible. Detective Phoebe opened her notepad and cleared her throat. “Alright, looks good. Are you ready for this interrogation, Butler Eric?” The butler remained silent, tears streaming down his face, a sign of his guilt in Beatrice’s case. Detective Phoebe gave him a moment, the sound of his sobs filling the room. “It looks like you know something about her disappearance, huh?” she asked. “Tell me everything you know about Beatrice’s disappearance.”
The butler snapped. “I don’t know anything about her disappearance! I swear!” he cried out loud. Officer Chris checked the polygraph, surprised to see it indicating that Butler Eric might be telling the truth. “Okay, let’s start with the afternoon of September 27, Monday—” “I-I’m sorry, okay?!” Butler Eric interrupted, his voice breaking. The room fell silent. “I’m sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Williams, for being absent the past four days. I had... I had...” The butler looked down. “You had to what?” Detective Phoebe pressed. “I-I had to bring my son to the hospital. He had terrible stomach pain, and my wife was very worried.” “What?!” Detective Phoebe exclaimed. “What do you mean, your son?! I want to know about my daughter!!” shouted Mrs. Williams, as she slammed the table with her hand. “I need answers, now. Don’t play games with me. My daughter’s life is on the line.” Mr. Williams’ face reddened with suppressed rage as he confronted the suspect. His hands shook slightly, betraying the fury he fought to control.
Officer Chris checked the polygraph again. It was true; the butler was honest. Shock and confusion were etched on everyone’s faces. Detective Phoebe took a deep breath, trying to process the unexpected turn of events. “So, you weren’t at the Williams residence because you were with your son at the hospital?” “Yes,” Butler Eric replied, his voice still trembling. “I know it looks bad, but I swear, I don’t know anything about Beatrice’s disappearance.” Detective Phoebe glanced at Officer Chris, who nodded, confirming the polygraph’s readings.
“I-I can explain!” Butler Eric blurted out. “Okay. Tell us everything,” said Detective Phoebe, her voice steady but demanding. The butler cleared his throat, visibly trembling. “On Sunday night, the 19th of September, I received a phone call from my wife. She was worried that our son, Gideon, had intense stomach pain, so I—I ran away immediately. I was worried! I had no choice. We rushed him to the hospital that night, but the nurse said that Lil’ Gideon had to be taken to the emergency room for surgery. Thankfully, it stopped around four o’clock in the morning, but the doctor told us that Gideon had to stay in the hospital for the next two weeks.
“The next day—Monday—I returned to the Williams manor, and when I entered, Miss Beatrice was gone. I assumed she had gone to school with Thomas, as usual. I noticed there was burnt bacon and eggs left on the kitchen table. It looked like Miss Beatrice had already left the house, so while she was gone, I cleaned the house. I turned on the fireplace, cleaned the kitchen table, and began working in the garden. I was trimming the hedges when Layla approached me. She looked concerned and asked if I had a moment. She told me she had been noticing some troubling things about Beatrice and was really worried about her. She mentioned that Beatrice had been acting erratically, talking to herself, and losing track of time. Layla said she hadn’t spoken to Beatrice’s parents yet because she didn’t want to worry them unnecessarily. She thought maybe I could help since I have a way of calming people down. I told her I would keep an eye on Beatrice and see if I noticed anything unusual.
“When I checked our supply of garden gloves, I realized we were out. So, I planted flowers and worked in the garden with my bare hands, filling my fingernails with dirt. Later that afternoon, I received another phone call from my wife. She told me that Lil’ Gideon had started having intense stomach pains again. I was worried. I was stressed; I didn’t know what to do that night. Is my boy alright? Is he feeling well? My head was spinning; I couldn’t focus on anything! Then Thomas rang the doorbell. I answered the door. I remember Thomas asking me questions about Beatrice’s disappearance, but I couldn’t wrap my head around it. Lil’ Gideon is my son! I couldn’t focus clearly. While Thomas asked me questions, I accidentally acted rudely towards him. I wasn’t in the mood, Thomas. I’m sorry. When Thomas left, I quickly turned off all the lights, turned off the fireplace, and locked the door before leaving.
“I ran for my life through the streets that rainy night. I passed the store, the school and headed to the hospital. When I got there, I saw poor Lil’ Gideon in pain in the emergency room. We stayed in the hospital with Lil’ Gideon until today. Last night, I promised my son I would buy him a toy. So, earlier this morning, I went to the mall to buy the toy I promised.”
“So, you went to the mall earlier to buy a toy for your son?” Detective Phoebe clarified. “Yes, that is correct.” “But why did you try to run away from us?” asked Detective Phoebe, her tone sharp. “I was scared that Mr. and Mrs. Williams would have me arrested for being absent from the mansion lately. Plus, with the news tabloids and posters around town saying Beatrice was missing, I thought you were looking to arrest me. I’m so, so sorry.” Butler Eric said, breaking into tears. Mrs. Williams stood from her chair, her face a mask of anguish and fury. “You!” she shouted, her voice trembling with emotion.
Detective Phoebe cleared her throat. “Do you have any connections with Paul, Beatrice’s classmate?” The butler thought for a moment. “Paul? Oh, the school bully Beatrice talked about a long time ago? No.” “If you have any connections with him, what would you do?” “Well, to be honest, if I had connections with Paul kidnapping Beatrice, I’d tell the police immediately.” Butler Eric answered with honesty. “The polygraph is correct.” “Is that polygraph even working...?!” asked Mrs. Williams. “It is correct and working, Mrs. Williams.”
“It’s because I’m telling the truth! That is what I know!” yelled Butler Eric. “Look, I-I’m sorry, Mrs. Williams, okay? I really am!” he added. The room fell silent, everyone turning their attention to Mrs. Williams. She took a step closer to Butler Eric, her eyes blazing. “You left us! You left us when we needed you the most!” she cried, her voice breaking. “Beatrice is missing, and you were nowhere to be found! How could you?” Butler Eric, still bound to the chair, bowed his head, tears streaming down his face. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Williams. I was only trying to take care of my son. I never meant to abandon you.”
Detective Phoebe stepped in, gently placing a hand on Mrs. Williams’s arm. “Mrs. Williams, please. We understand your pain, but we need to stay focused on finding Beatrice. Eric’s story checks out with the polygraph, and we’ll verify his alibi. But right now, our priority is Beatrice.” Mrs. Williams took a deep breath, her eyes still locked on Butler Eric. “Just find my daughter,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “We will,” Detective Phoebe assured her. “Your son and wife are still in the hospital, correct?” “Yes, they are still there, recovering.” The detective turned to Thomas, who had been quietly watching the scene unfold. “Thomas, let’s start verifying Eric’s story. Check with the hospital and his wife. We need to be sure.” Thomas nodded, his resolve hardening. “I’ll get on it right away.”
“Officer Chris, put the butler first in his cell. We need to make sure he stays here.” The detective ordered. As Officer Chris began to escort Butler Eric out of the interrogation room, Detective Phoebe caught his eye. “Eric, if there’s anything else you can remember, anything at all, it could help us find Beatrice.” Butler Eric nodded, still crying. “I’ll try to remember. I just want Beatrice to be safe.” Detective Phoebe watched as they took him away, then turned back to Mrs. Williams. “We’re going to find her. I promise.” Mrs. Williams nodded, wiping away her tears. “Thank you, Detective. Just bring her home.” As Thomas left to begin his investigation, Detective Phoebe followed behind, her mind racing.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Thomas caught the guard’s eye. “Hey, kid, what are you doing in here?” the guard asked, blocking Thomas’s path. They had just arrived at the hospital seconds ago. “He’s coming with us,” said Detective Phoebe as she stepped forward, showing her badge. The guard recognized her immediately. “Oh, good afternoon, detective. Go ahead,” he said, stepping aside. Detective Phoebe continued to walk inside with Thomas. They approached a woman sitting at the hospital registration counter.
“Good afternoon, we are here to investigate Gideon Herman’s latest medical records from the 20th of September 1976 to the 22nd of September 1976 in this hospital.” “Oh, Gideon? He had an intense stomach pain. Why?” the woman asked. “I am Detective Phoebe, and I suppose you have heard about Beatrice Williams’s disappearance around town?” “Yes,” she answered, a look of concern crossing her face. “Gideon Herman’s father, Mr. Eric Herman, is a suspect in Beatrice’s disappearance,” Phoebe explained. The woman’s eyes widened in shock. “Oh, I didn’t know that Mr. Eric is wanted by the police—no one told me. I’m sorry, Detective.” “It’s okay. We captured him earlier and interrogated him back at the police precinct, but we want to verify his statement by checking Gideon’s medical records,” The detective said calmly. “We need proof,” Thomas added.
“Do you want to talk to Gideon’s doctor?” the woman offered. “Yes, please,” “Okay, I’ll go talk to him,” the woman said before walking away down the hallway. Detective Phoebe and Thomas waited on the side. Minutes later, a man in blue scrubs and a white coat, with a stethoscope around his neck, approached them. “Hello, Detective Phoebe and?” the doctor greeted them as he shook hands. “Thomas Patterson,” Thomas introduced himself. “Greetings. My name is Doctor Harold. How may I help you?” he asked. “We want answers on Mr. Gideon Herman’s medical records and to verify their authenticity,” Detective Phoebe stated.
“Alright. Follow me to my office,” Doctor Harold said. Detective Phoebe and Thomas followed the doctor down the hallway and into his office. The room was small but orderly, filled with medical books and files. Doctor Harold motioned for them to sit as he began searching through a drawer filled with files. After a few seconds, he pulled out a file and handed it to Detective Phoebe.“There you go,” said Doctor Harold as Detective Phoebe opened the file. “Gideon Herman, son of Eric Herman, was diagnosed with acute appendicitis at the age of ten. He was admitted to the hospital on Sunday evening, September 19. His mother reported that he had been experiencing severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Upon admission, his temperature was ninety-nine degrees Fahrenheit, indicating a fever. We performed an appendectomy immediately. We found bacteria in his digestive tract and had to perform open surgery to remove his appendix,” the doctor explained.
“Thank you for the detailed explanation, doctor. Now, I have a few questions,” Detective Phoebe said. “Sure, go ahead,” Doctor Harold replied. “Was Eric Herman in the hospital the entire time?” Phoebe asked. “Yes, during my check-ups on Gideon, Eric was always there,” the doctor confirmed. “Is Gideon Herman still in the hospital right now?” Phoebe asked. “Yes, the nurse can bring you to him,” the doctor replied. The nurse, who had been listening, stepped forward. “Sure, doc. Gideon’s vital signs are stable, so you can see him.” Detective Phoebe stood up from her chair. “Oh, I forgot to mention, can I borrow this file?” She asked. “Sure, as long as you return it to me,” Doctor Harold agreed. “Thank you, doctor. We really appreciate your help,” Phoebe said, holding the file securely. “No problem, detective,” Doctor Harold responded. Thomas and Detective Phoebe followed the nurse out of the office and down the hallway. They walked in silence, each lost in their thoughts about the case. The nurse led them to a room where Gideon was resting.
They followed the nurse through the hospital, passing by nurses and doctors who walked briskly in the opposite direction. The hospital lights were dim, casting a mellow glow, with one flickering bulb around the corner. The nurse approached a door and knocked before twisting the handle. “Good afternoon, there are people who would like to see you, Gideon,” the nurse greeted as she entered the room. Thomas and Detective Phoebe followed her inside. Thomas observed the small television on the side and the boy lying on the medical bed in front of it. He assumed this was Gideon Herman. A woman sat beside him on a chair, and as she stood up, she pointed at the detective.
“Wh-Why are you here? Is my husband in jail?” she asked, distress clear in her voice. She must have recognized the police-like uniform and badge that Detective Phoebe wore. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Herman. My name is Detective Phoebe. Please calm down. We just came to verify if your husband, Butler Eric, is telling the truth about his whereabouts during Beatrice’s disappearance,” the detective explained. Mrs. Herman looked at Gideon lying on the bed in his pajamas. She moved closer to him, while Thomas stood at the corner, and the nurse remained by the door.
“Hello, Gideon. I am Detective Phoebe,” she said, extending her hand for a handshake. Gideon politely shook her hand. “Hello, Detective.” “Is it okay if I take a look at your belly?” she asked gently. Detective Phoebe placed the file on the nearby table. Thomas swiftly grabbed and opened it while Phoebe knelt beside Gideon to inspect his belly. Gideon pulled up his top, revealing stitches on his abdomen. “Can you explain how this happened?” Thomas asked calmly, pointing at the stitches.
“It was seven days ago when I started to feel stomach pain,” Gideon began. “At first, I didn’t think much of it, but the next day, the pain got worse. It felt like a sharp pain on my right side. I tried massaging it, but it only got worse. I told my mama about it, and we had to rush to the hospital. The doctor did some things, and I felt tired after that, so I rested. Papa and Mama were with me the entire time.” “What about you, Mrs. Herman?” Detective Phoebe asked. “I’m just thankful his appendix didn’t burst,” Mrs. Herman replied. “If it had, there’d be a tube to suck the bacteria out for days. After the surgery, Gideon was given painkillers and antibiotics. The doctor said it would take two weeks for him to fully recover, so he’ll start to feel better around the first week of October.”
“Was your husband here the entire time?” Detective Phoebe inquired.
“Yes. The only times he left were to the mall,” Mrs. Herman confirmed. “Did he tell you what he did at the mansion on September 20th?” “Eric said that Beatrice was already gone to school when he returned. He told me he cleaned the entire mansion and planted flowers in the garden, which made his fingernails dirty. I hate that,” Mrs. Herman admitted. “Did he mention anything about Thomas?” Detective Phoebe asked, “Thomas?” Mrs. Herman looked at the young man. “Eric mentioned he was a bit rude to Thomas because he was stressed and not in the right mindset to talk.” “And the mall? Did he say why he went there?” Detective Phoebe continued. “He promised Gideon a toy,” Mrs. Herman said, smiling at her son. “Yes, mama,” Gideon confirmed. Detective Phoebe sighed. “So, it is real... Butler Eric is telling the truth.”
“What happens now? Should we head back to the police precinct?” Thomas asked. Detective Phoebe nodded. “I can’t believe it... After all this time, he’s innocent?” whispered Thomas, turning the pages of Gideon’s file. “If you think my Eric is a kidnapper, you’re looking at the wrong person. I’m sure he isn’t a bad person,” Mrs. Herman said firmly. “Well, that’s everything we need to know. Thank you, Gideon and Mrs. Herman,” Detective Phoebe said, standing up. “Detective, can I please make a request?” Gideon asked, his voice small and pleading. “Please don’t send papa to jail...” The detective looked at him, her eyebrows raised. “I’ll wait for papa to come back with the toy he promised me,” Gideon continued, his hands clasped together and his eyes wide with hope. “We’ll see, kid,” Phoebe replied, smiling. “Thank you for being honest with us.”
The nurse opened the door, and Thomas, Officer Chris, and Detective Phoebe left the room. The door closed softly behind them as they walked down the hallway, the weight of their discovery heavy on their shoulders. As they walked down the hallway, the weight of their discovery heavy on their shoulders, Thomas suddenly stopped. “Detective, Officer, can I excuse myself to go to the bathroom for a moment?” he asked. Detective Phoebe nodded. “Go ahead, Thomas. We’ll wait for you here.” Thomas hurried down the corridor, his frustration and anger boiling inside him. He found the restroom and pushed the door open, letting it close softly behind him. He leaned over the sink, staring at his reflection in the mirror. His mind raced, and he clenched his fists.
“If only I had been paying attention that day... If only I had gone outside with her... This is all my fault,” he berated himself silently. His eyes stung with unshed tears as the memories of Beatrice flashed through his mind. He saw her face, her demeanor, and felt the crushing weight of his perceived failure. Thomas splashed cold water on his face, hoping it would clear his thoughts, but the frustration only grew. He had been so sure that Butler Eric was involved. He had hoped this lead would finally bring them closer to finding Beatrice. But now, with Eric’s alibi holding up, they were back to square one.
He gripped the edges of the sink tightly, his knuckles turning white. “Why didn’t I pay more attention? Why didn’t I protect her?” His thoughts were a torrent of regret and guilt. Every dead end in the investigation felt like a personal failure. Every dismissed effort to contribute felt like a blow to his confidence. First, it was Mr. Payne, then Paul Steele... Now Butler Eric... He had been trying so hard, but nothing seemed to be enough. Thomas felt the weight of Beatrice’s disappearance crushing him, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that he had let her down. After a few moments, he took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He knew he couldn’t afford to fall apart now. Beatrice needed him, and he had to keep going, no matter how hard it was. Thomas straightened up, wiping his face with a paper towel. He took another deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart.
When he finally stepped out of the bathroom, he forced a determined expression onto his face. Detective Phoebe and Officer Chris were waiting for him, their faces concerned. “Are you okay?” Phoebe asked gently. Thomas nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine. Let’s go.” As they walked back through the hospital, Thomas’s mind was already racing with new ideas and possibilities. He couldn’t afford to give up now. He had to find Beatrice, no matter what it took.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
“So, what happened?” Mrs. Williams asked as she saw Thomas, Detective Phoebe, and Officer Chris entering the room. Detective Phoebe handed the file to Mrs. Williams, who received it with trembling hands and began to open it. “He was innocent,” Detective Phoebe stated, her voice heavy with the weight of their discovery.
Mr. Williams, standing beside his wife, looked at the file as she turned the pages. As they read each word, their expressions shifted from disbelief to sorrow. Butler Eric burst into tears. “Appendicitis...” Mrs. Williams whispered, her voice barely audible. Tears streamed down her face as the reality of the situation sank in. “He is indeed innocent, I just can’t... I don’t believe it...” she muttered, shaking her head in denial. Unable to contain her emotions, Mrs. Williams exploded, her scream echoing across the room. “Damn it! You should’ve told us!! You should’ve told us that your son was sick!!” she yelled, pointing her finger accusingly at Butler Eric.
The butler, sobbing, looked up at her. “It’s my fault. I should have been there. I left without telling you because my son had appendicitis. I thought I’d only be gone for a few days. I never imagined... I never thought...” Mrs. Williams gasped, her hand covering her mouth in shock. Mr. Williams’s expression turned to one of anger and disbelief. “You left without permission? Without telling us? How could you, Eric? You were supposed to be watching over Beatrice!” “I’m so sorry,” Eric continued, tears streaming down his face. “If I had stayed, maybe this wouldn’t have happened. I failed you all. I failed Beatrice.” He lowered his head, still kneeling, and clasped his hands together in a pleading gesture. “Please, forgive me. I was just trying to save my son, but I should have found a way to do both. Please, forgive me.”
Despite her anguish, Mrs. Williams reached out and touched Eric’s shoulder, her voice trembling. “Eric, you were trying to save your child. We can’t blame you for that. But we need to focus on finding Beatrice now. We need to work together.” Mr. Williams, still visibly upset, took a deep breath and nodded slowly. “She’s right. We need to find our daughter. We’ll deal with everything else later.” Detective Phoebe stood up and approached them, a determined look on her face. “We’ll do everything we can to find her. But we need to stay strong and united. Eric, your absence was unfortunate, but we can’t change the past. Let’s focus on what we can do now.” Butler Eric nodded, wiping his tears, and stood up, still looking remorseful but also resolute. “I’ll do whatever it takes to help. I won’t rest until we find her.” Thomas’s mind was a whirlwind of frustration and anger. “Excuse me, I need a minute outside,” Mrs. Williams stormed out of the room, closing the door behind.
“What should we do now, Detective?” asked Thomas, his voice barely masking his inner turmoil. Detective Phoebe straightened, determination in her eyes. “Well, since Butler Eric is innocent now, we still have one more person who has the answers we need. We still have Paul Steele, the kidnapper himself.” “But that kid doesn’t even say a word!” Mr. Williams commented, his frustration evident. “Then we’ll make him,” Detective Phoebe replied firmly. Turning to Butler Eric, she asked, “Have you bought the toy you promised for Gideon?” “Not yet,” Butler Eric answered. “The interrogation for Butler Eric Herman is now dismissed,” declared Detective Phoebe, rubbing her temples. “I guess I’m going back to the mall to buy my son’s toy. Thank you, Detective Phoebe,” said Butler Eric as he wiped his tears. Without saying a word, Mr. Williams was the first to stand up and walk out of the room. Thomas could see the disappointment on his face. Detective Phoebe rested her head in her hands while Officer Chris removed the polygraph wires from Butler Eric’s body.
The room fell into an uneasy silence. Thomas clenched his fists, the frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. He had been so certain that Butler Eric was involved. The realization that they were back at square one gnawed at him. As they walked out of the hospital, Thomas couldn’t afford to give up now. He took a deep sigh as he saw everyone begin to leave the room. He stood up and walked towards the exit. Stepping into the hallway, he observed various activities of the police officers; one was holding stacks of papers, another appeared to be on a coffee break, and two officers were engaged in analyzing a board filled with Polaroids, newspapers, and pins.
Exiting the police precinct, Thomas looked to his left and came to a halt. He saw Mr. Williams, who appeared to be in a state of panic, with his hands on his head, pacing back and forth, fear evident in his eyes. “Is there something wrong, Mr. Williams?” Thomas asked as he approached him. Mr. Williams looked up, his eyes wide with distress. “Where is my wife?!” he cried, almost yelling. “What?”
“My wife—my wife!”
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