Chapter 69: Manor

"The person reporting the case is the husband of the female victim, Hans Miller.

The report date is August 7th. He returned home to find his wife and children missing.

The Los Angeles County Police Department launched an investigation and interviews. According to the surrounding neighbors, the three victims were seen during the day on August 6th. It is estimated that the three victims disappeared on the evening of the 6th.

On the evening of August 6th, neighbors saw the driver, Cole Davis, entering and leaving the estate. He was the last person to have contact with the victims.

The police have been trying to speak with him but have been unable to locate him.

David asked, 'Is the husband of the victim a suspect?'

Deputy Chief Reid said, 'Initially, we did suspect the husband, but he had a solid alibi. Besides, even if he wanted to harm his wife, there was no reason for him to kill the children.

If it weren't for his insistence, this case might not have alerted the FBI, and our Los Angeles Police Department might not have gotten involved.

If the county police hadn't delayed the initial investigation, this case might have been solved back then.'

Luke asked, 'Why did the county police delay the investigation? Was it due to human factors or lack of ability?'

'From what I know, it was both. The victim's husband had failed in business, and there were marital issues leading to separation. After excluding the husband as a suspect, the county police thought the wife had left home voluntarily and did not consider robbery or kidnapping.

It wasn't until the victim's husband used his connections to get the FBI involved.'

Marcus shrugged, 'Wow, so he was a good husband after all.'

Reid said, 'The victim obviously didn't think so.'

Marcus added, 'At least he was a good father.'

'We've gone through the case file. How do you plan to investigate next? I'd like to hear your plans. Come on, don't be shy about showing off.' Reid looked around, seeing no one volunteering to speak, and said,

'Deputy, you were the first to link this case. What are your thoughts?'

'Let's give the young ones a chance.' The deputy waved his hand. 'Luke, you speak.'

Luke thought for a moment, 'Twenty years ago, both the FBI and the LAPD were involved in the investigation.

Their capabilities were definitely not in question; the lack of resolution was due to too few clues.

Our current advantage is that we have new clues. Only by utilizing these new clues can we clarify the case.

I personally believe the most important new findings are not the vehicle or the victims' remains, nor finding Cole's whereabouts, because these were all speculated twenty years ago but lacked evidence to confirm.

The truly valuable clues are Tony and Lawn.'

Luke paused, then continued, 'These two were not investigated before. No one knows their roles in the case. I think clarifying their involvement could lead to a breakthrough.'

Reid nodded, 'We had also suspected that Cole had accomplices, but we never identified them. Investigating these two individuals is indeed crucial.'

The group discussed in the meeting and finally determined the investigation direction:

Issue a warrant for Cole Davis.Locate Lawn.Investigate Tony's situation.Re-interview the involved personnel...

After a busy day, Luke returned to the Eno community to teach the chubby kid wrestling.

The chubby kid was quite resilient, getting tossed around without complaining, though he did mess up the lawn, earning a good scolding from his mom.

Luke ran away.

The chubby kid was in trouble.

...

The next morning, Lawn's family and other involved personnel gradually came to the police station for interviews, but no valuable clues were found.

Susan called Luke and David to the office and got straight to the point, 'The investigation progress in Los Angeles is minimal, and Cole and Lawn's whereabouts are unknown.

I want to send you to the victim's hometown, Heim City, for investigation. What do you think?'

David nodded, 'Heim City is the place of disappearance and Cole's hometown. It's necessary to re-investigate there.'

Luke replied, 'What about the victim's husband? Why didn't he come to identify the bodies?'

'We called his old number but couldn't reach him,' Susan responded, 'Are you trying to change the subject?'

'No, I just wanted to clarify.'

'Then I'll take it as your agreement. Go home early today and pack up. I wish you a safe trip tomorrow.

Close the office door, thank you.'

...

In a black Dodge car.

Luke and David set off for Heim City.

David complained, 'Why am I driving again?'

Luke wrote in his notebook, 'I'm drafting the investigation plan for Heim City. Want to switch?'

'Tell me about it.'

'First, we should investigate the Telson estate on-site. There might be new discoveries.'

'Come on, it's been twenty years. You're too optimistic.'

'Want to make the plan?' Luke handed over the pen.

'You continue.'

'Tony is also from Heim City. We might find more clues about him.' Luke rubbed his hands and smiled, 'If we have time, we can also try the local delicacy, "Kuta."'

David shook his head, 'What's on your mind? We're going there to investigate the case.'

'The deputy has always been nostalgic about that delicacy. If we have time, why not try it? Learn to live, don't just survive. You're really not like a Los Angeles native.'

David smirked, 'You're right. If I get the chance, I might consider moving to New York.'

...

The LAPD is about two hours away from Heim City by car.

Heim City is more like a small town than a city.

It was already 1 PM when they arrived.

The residents are quite dispersed, but the city center has various commercial facilities. They drove around the city center once.

The car stopped in front of a restaurant called 'Golden Corral.'

Luke's stomach was already growling.

The restaurant was about 100 square meters, with a few scattered customers.

A white lady in an apron came over and handed David a menu, 'What would you like to eat?'

Luke asked, 'Do you have "Kuta" here?'

'You came to the right place, but this dish is only available in the evening.'

It sounded a bit like grilled skewers, increasing Luke's anticipation.

The two ordered Mexican burritos and cold drinks.

Mexican burritos are simple to make, served quickly, and hard to mess up.

It's a safe choice when you don't know what to order.

After finishing their meal, most customers had left.

Luke called the white lady over to pay the bill, adding a ten-dollar tip.

'Wow, you're very generous.' The white lady was surprised; the tip was higher than the meal cost.

'Ma'am, I'm from out of town. Can we chat?'

'OK.' Most customers had left, so the white lady sat down on a nearby chair.

The obesity rate in America is high, which is related to their eating habits.

'Do you know where the Telson estate is?'

'Are you here to investigate the haunting at the Telson estate?'

'Haunting?'

'Yeah, it's an ominous place. Something bad happened there twenty years ago, and people often hear crying from the estate.'

'What bad thing happened?'

'Some say the lady of the estate and her child were killed and buried somewhere in the estate. At night, they come out... It's quite scary.'"