Chapter 42
Zion threw the cigarette butt in the trash can and spoke again.
“Stephanie’s phone has suffered varying degrees of damage, but it’s not completely irreparable. It’ll Just take time to recover the data, so we’ll wait and see,”
He turned to leave but suddenly remembered something and looked back at Michael.
“If your hesitation and protection result In Stephanie’s death or any other more dreadful outcome, you’ll be partly responsible. Even if the law can’t punish you, morality and conscience will always be your shackles.”
Michael stood numbly in place, looking unusually exhausted for a moment.
I glanced back at him once and never looked back again.
I didn’t know when my soul would disappear and when I would truly die. I didn’t understand why I was in my current state. All I could do was wait.
I hoped for my body to be found and the truth to be revealed so that my remains could be cremated and laid to rest. Perhaps then, I could truly find release.
“Officer Landon, the lunatic… Steve has gone missing! We were all busy with the scene investigation, and when we turned around, he was gone.
Zion frowned and got into the car.
“Find him and keep an eye on him. He surely knows something.
Zion was convinced that Steve knew some secrets.
Sitting in his car, I looked at the phone in his hand. It was the photo of the little girl in a red dress that Steve had found at the welfare home.
In the photo, Steve was the most dazzling figure, always catching people’s eyes at first glance. Perhaps it was because he was just so good–looking.
Standing next to him was another boy, who looked somewhat timid. He was clinging to Steve’s arm in fear and hiding behind him. Standing in front of the boy as if protecting him, Steve looked like a big brother.
Zion studied the photo and said in a deep voice, “Steve….
“Lawson, can we find out about these children in the orphanage photo?” he said into his phone after dialing his subordinate’s number.
Dave replied, “A few years ago, there was a big fire at the orphanage. The director knew that his crimes were about to be exposed, so he intended to burn all the children to destroy evidence.
“Except for the girls in red dresses who were already adopted, only Steve survived… He wasn’t a fool
Chade
before, he was said to be a genius, but he became mentally disabled after that big fire.”
Zion looked at the children in the photo again. Except for those who were adopted, they all died, leaving only Steve.
“He’s the murderer on a killing spree, He’s killing everyone from the orphanage back then. This person is very dangerous. He either has a split personality or… he’s just very good at disguising,“I said to Zion, but he couldn’t hear me.
However, Zion was clearly beginning to suspect Steve as well.
“Keep a close eye on Steve after we find him!”
Seeing his suspicion of Steve, I felt relieved.
Just as he hung up the phone, his phone rang again. It was Keenan.
“Zion! Rachel is missing. She might have gone to find Yasmin. Are you with her?”
Zion paused for a moment before subconsciously looking toward the direction of the hotel. I also nervously watched the entrance of the hotel.
Rachel was on the way to see Yasmin?
Zion quickly got out of the car and walked toward the hotel. I followeil, feeling worried.
In the hotel corridor, Yasmin was leaning against Michael, looking pale and weak. Standing at the door, Rachel didn’t lash out at her but was speaking very subtly.
“Please, help me save Stephie.”
For my sake, she could only plead with Yasmin.
“I’m sorry…” Yasmin choked up and buried her face in Michael’s chest.
Michael was infuriated as he said, “Rachel, stop acting crazy here. Yasmin’s going through a lot now, and you’re here only to provoke her.”
Rachel shot daggers with her red, swollen eyes at Michael and cursed, “You deserve to die…”
He fell silent and said nothing-
“You don’t have to go, but lend me vou
red dress.
dress…” said Rachel again, this time asking Yasmin for her
I had been wearing my red dress the day I went missing.
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