chapter42：Detective Tale

Jack stood by, listening intently. A chill crept down his spine, an indescribable sensation washing over him. How could a person who had been long gone provide them with clues? Yet, in that very moment, he also felt a warmth like no other.

Was this the mysterious power of family affection at work? Perhaps it was indeed Coco's grandma, reaching out from the afterlife to assist her granddaughter in escaping her troubles.

At this juncture, Coco seemed to have a sudden epiphany. She managed to control her sobs and spoke in a quivering voice, "I remember.

In that terrifying place, I overheard one of the kidnappers whispering about a tunnel entrance with another person. They mentioned that there was something significant at that tunnel entrance or a plan to be executed at the school.

I was in a daze at the time and couldn't make out clearly, but I'm certain this tunnel entrance is related to this whole affair."

Amy's eyes brightened as she said, "This is a crucial clue indeed. We must hurry to the school with this tunnel entrance." With that, Amy and Jack made their way towards the car. Amy got into the driver's seat, fastened her seat belt with practiced ease, and started the engine. The car began to move slowly, gradually pulling away from the parking lot.

...Jack sat in the co-pilot seat, his gaze fixed on Amy's side profile as she focused on driving. A faint smile played on the corner of his mouth as he said, "Amy, your driving skills are truly flawless. Every time I ride in your car, I feel a sense of stability and peace in my heart." Amy's lips curved slightly as she replied, "Thank you, Jack. Having your trust by my side gives me more confidence when driving."

Jack looked out of the window at the scenery flashing by continuously. Lost in thought, he analyzed slowly, "This case has been constantly circling in my mind. You see, that tunnel entrance can't be as simple as it seems. I always have a hunch that there is a certain subtle connection between it and the case of the footless and Joe's sudden departure abroad. Think about it. Coco was threatened to report Tom. Behind this, there must be a meticulously planned conspiracy. Why did Joe leave the country exactly at this time? It's probably not a mere coincidence. Maybe he is a part of this conspiracy; or perhaps he knew something he shouldn't have and left the country to protect himself. And this tunnel entrance might be a key location in this conspiracy, likely the place where they carried out those shady deeds."

Amy listened attentively to Jack's analysis and nodded in agreement, saying, "What you said makes a lot of sense. This case has been filled with strange things from the very beginning. It feels as if there is a huge secret hidden behind it, leaving us at a loss." Jack seemed to have a moment of inspiration, and his eyes lit up. Then he said, "I suddenly thought of a place, Coco and Kelly's high school alma mater. I remember there is a blocked tunnel entrance there. Maybe this is the very place we have been searching for all along."

Amy's eyes immediately flashed with excitement upon hearing this. She hurriedly said, "Then let's go there right away. I hope we can find some key clues this time and clear away some of the fog in this case." The car continued to drive steadily on the highway. The sunlight filtered through the windows, creating a warm and hopeful atmosphere.

.Returning to Tom's side fifteen years ago. Officer Boby followed the clues and discovered that Joe and bom had checked into a hotel the previous night.

He immediately dialed Tom's phone, but it kept showing busy. Officer Boby decided to go to the hotel front desk to inquire about the situation.

There, a male receptionist named hardy.Xi was standing. Officer Boby walked up, showed his ID, and asked seriously, "Hello, I'm a police officer. I want to ask if you remember if Joe and bom came here last night?" hardy.Xi's heart skipped a beat, but he still managed to maintain a calm facade and scratched his head as he replied, "Oh, officer. I do remember them. I thought they were relatives at that time, so I didn't pay much attention." Officer Boby frowned, sensing that the receptionist's expression was a bit off. He continued to press,

"Are you sure that's all? Think carefully again. Is there anything unusual?" hardy.Xi's eyes began to dart around, and he swallowed hard as he said, "There really isn't anything special, officer. They seemed normal when they checked in."