chapter4：Jack

Amy didn't know how to answer Tom. Her heart was pounding violently. She wondered if all this was related to those strange things again. She took a deep breath and said, "Tom, you must be very careful today. Don't go to any dangerous places." Tom on the other end of the phone was even more puzzled: "Amy, why do you say that? Do you know something about me?" Amy hesitated for a moment and said, "Tom, I can't tell you too much right now. Just remember what I said." Although Tom was still confused, he replied, "Okay, Amy. I'll be careful."

At this time, the doorbell rang. Amy was too afraid to open the door. The ringing outside became more and more urgent, and Tom heard it too.

The doorbell kept ringing incessantly. The rapid ringing made Amy's heart beat faster and faster. Tom gently comforted her on the phone, "Amy, no matter who it is outside, you must first ensure your own safety. I'm right here with you. You're not alone." Amy took a deep breath, summoned up her courage, and walked slowly towards the door. She looked out through the peephole. The corridor outside was dimly lit, and she could only see a blurry figure. Judging from the shape, it was a man, but because of the light and the distortion effect of the peephole, she couldn't see the face clearly at all. "Tom, I can't see who it is. I can only see the outline of a man," Amy whispered to Tom on the phone. "Then don't open the door, Amy. Maybe it's a bad person," Tom said anxiously.

Just then, the person outside spoke: "Amy, I'm Jack, your neighbor. I know it's very late, but I have something very important to tell you." Amy hesitated and shouted at the door, "Jack, what's the matter at this late hour? You can talk about it tomorrow." Jack's voice sounded a little urgent: "Amy, this matter can't wait until tomorrow. It's about Cindy. I know some information that you may not know."

Hearing Cindy's name, Amy was startled. She looked at the phone and said to Tom, "Tom, he said he knows something about Cindy. What should I do?" Tom thought for a while and said, "Amy, you still need to be careful. You can ask him to tell what he knows right at the door. Don't open the door first." Amy nodded and shouted at the door, "Jack, just say it at the door. I'm not convenient to open the door right now."

Jack seemed a little helpless, but still said, "Amy, I saw a suspicious person near Cindy's house today. That person was wearing a long black trench coat and a hat, and his face couldn't be seen clearly. He kept wandering around Cindy's house. I thought it was very strange at that time. Later, I learned that Cindy had an accident. I think this person may be related to Cindy's death."

Amy frowned, and the previous scenes related to the mysterious person immediately came to her mind. She asked, "Jack, did you notice anything else? For example, did that person have any special actions or characteristics?" Jack replied, "He seemed to be holding something like a notebook in his hand and kept writing and drawing. And his walking posture was very strange, as if he was hiding something."

Amy kept this information in mind and said to Jack, "Thank you, Jack. I will tell the police this information." Jack said, "Amy, be careful. I think this matter is very complicated. That mysterious person may come to you again." Amy felt a chill in her heart and said, "I know, Jack. Thank you."

After Jack left, Amy returned to the phone and said to Tom, "Tom, did you hear that? This mysterious person may be related to Cindy's death, and maybe also related to all these things." Tom said worriedly, "Amy, it sounds very dangerous. I'm very worried about you being alone. Do you have any friends who can come to be with you?" Amy thought for a while and said, "I can call my friend Lucy. But Tom, you also need to be careful tomorrow. That mysterious person today may be a crucial clue." Tom said, "I will, Amy. You call Lucy first. I won't hang up until your friend arrives."

Amy dialed Lucy's number. After briefly explaining the situation, Lucy promised to come right away. While waiting for Lucy, Amy and Tom continued chatting on the phone. Tom told Amy some interesting stories about his university registration, trying to make Amy relax. Amy was also infected by Tom's optimism and temporarily forgot some of her fears.

Before long, Lucy arrived. Amy opened the door, and seeing Lucy, she let out a sigh of relief. She said to Tom on the phone, "Tom, Lucy is here. You can rest assured. Thank you for staying with me all this time." Tom said, "You're welcome, Amy. I hope everything goes well for you tomorrow. If there is any new situation, remember to call me." Amy hung up the phone and welcomed Lucy into the house.

Lucy looked at Amy's pale face and said sympathetically, "Amy, you look in a very bad state. What on earth happened?" Amy told Lucy everything that had happened recently, including those strange cases, the conversation with Tom, and the news that Jack had just brought. After listening, Lucy's eyes widened in surprise: "Amy, this is too terrifying. How did you get involved in such a complicated matter?" Amy shook her head helplessly: "I don't want to either, but it just happened. I feel like I've fallen into a huge mystery and can't get out."

Lucy held Amy's hand and said, "Amy, don't be afraid. Let's figure out a way together. When you go to the police station to give your statement tomorrow, I'll go with you." Amy looked at Lucy gratefully: "Lucy, thank you. With you here, I feel much more at ease."

That night, although accompanied by Lucy, Amy still tossed and turned and couldn't fall asleep. Scenes of those strange things and clues kept popping up in her mind. She knew that going to the police station the next day would be an important step in uncovering the truth.

The next morning, Amy and Lucy arrived at the police station early. There were people coming and going in the police station. The busy scene didn't make Amy feel at ease. Instead, it made her even more nervous.