Chapter 41: Joy’s Scene

Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Joy’s Scene

Heath Hale narrowed his eyes and asked, "Were you always the one to pick up and drop off Joy?"

Mrs. York knew this wasn’t the time to cry. Wiping away her tears, she said, "Yes, I was always the one who picked her up and dropped her off. There’s an abandoned factory behind our complex, and a lot of people come and go. I wasn’t comfortable with the child going to and from school by herself, so I always went with her.

"Yesterday, Ann suddenly got sick in the morning. Her face was flushed from the fever, and I was in a hurry to get her to the hospital, so I let Joy go by herself. I never thought that on that one day, the child would disappear."

On the way over, Zoe Sawyer had briefly explained the Underwood family’s situation to Sean Hughes and Heath Hale.

Mrs. York’s daughter-in-law had hemorrhaged while giving birth to Ann and didn’t survive. On top of that, they had taken out a loan to buy this apartment to make it more convenient for the children to get to school.

As a result, Mrs. York’s son was always working at a construction site to pay off the debt, leaving just the grandmother and her two granddaughters as the permanent residents of the home.

Heath Hale gave Sean Hughes a look, signaling for him to go comfort Mrs. York. If she kept crying like this, she would make herself sick.

"Zoe Sawyer, you go ask the child named Ann. You two are more familiar with each other, so it’ll be easier to get her to talk.

"But be mindful. The child is still sick, so make it quick." Heath Hale continued to delegate tasks to Zoe Sawyer.

As for him, he was going to get information from the man who hadn’t spoken a word the entire time.

Zoe Sawyer walked over and lifted Ann onto her lap.

The little girl was listless, but she knew she had an important job to do. She didn’t fall asleep, instead forcing herself to stay awake, staring at Zoe Sawyer with wide eyes.

"Ann, can you tell me—you saw your sister being taken away with her mouth covered—what did the person look like?" Zoe Sawyer asked, softening her voice.

Perhaps it was because she was familiar with Zoe Sawyer’s presence, or maybe the police uniform she wore gave Ann a sense of security.

Ann tilted her head as if thinking, remaining silent for a long time.

Zoe Sawyer didn’t rush her, just watched her with a gentle expression.

Finally, Ann spoke up. "A tall man... he walked with a limp. There was another man with him, wearing a hat.

"The two of them covered my sister’s mouth and took her away."

At this, Ann lowered her little head. Her hair was messy because her grandmother, lost in grief, hadn’t had the heart to tidy it. "If I hadn’t fallen asleep... if I had told Grandma right away, would my sister be okay?"

A flash of understanding crossed Zoe Sawyer’s eyes. ’The child was sick. After seeing what happened, she fell asleep from the discomfort before she could tell her grandmother.’

’And after finding out what happened to her sister, she blamed herself, thinking the tragedy only occurred because she was sick.’

’If this isn’t handled carefully, it could easily become a heavy burden on Ann’s heart, which would be very detrimental to her physical and mental health.’

"Of course not. The only ones at fault are the bad people who did a bad thing. It has nothing to do with you, Ann.

"Your sister Joy would only be happy that you’re telling the police what you saw. It helps us catch the bad guys sooner." Zoe Sawyer gently wiped the tears from Ann’s cheeks.

Inwardly, however, she couldn’t help but sigh. ’The birthmark on Joy’s arm was too unique. After comparison, it’s almost certain it was her.’

’A child so young, her life ended just like that.’

Ann looked down, lost in thought for a moment, then raised her head to look at Zoe Sawyer. "The man next door saw it too," she said. "I heard him slam his window shut."

The soundproofing in this apartment complex wasn’t very good. Slamming a window that hard would easily disturb the neighbors.

Without Zoe Sawyer even having to say a word, a police officer who had been standing nearby walked straight out the door.

’The man next door?’

’Excellent. Another witness.’

After saying her piece, Ann couldn’t hold on any longer and fell asleep in Zoe Sawyer’s arms.

Zoe Sawyer carefully handed Ann to a female officer beside her, then picked up a photo of Joy, her eyes fixed on the smiling face.

’If opening a door can show me a crime scene...’

’Then... can I see something that has already happened?’

Next to the photo was a file on Joy, which had been urgently pulled together while they were on their way over.

As she stared, Zoe Sawyer suddenly stood up and walked to the door of Joy’s room.

The door was closed. Zoe Sawyer gripped the doorknob, took a deep breath, and repeatedly chanted Joy’s name in her mind.

Her actions naturally drew the attention of everyone around her.

Mrs. York was about to ask something when Sean Hughes, who was standing beside her, covered her mouth and shook his head, signaling her not to say anything.

Heath Hale rose cautiously to his feet and quietly moved behind Zoe Sawyer, gesturing for everyone else to remain silent.

The living room quickly fell silent. Everyone held their breath, their attention fixed on Zoe Sawyer.

Already lost in a state of deep concentration, Zoe Sawyer naturally didn’t notice what was happening behind her.

Both in her head and under her breath, she repeated Joy’s name.

’Now!’

An inexplicable feeling shot through her mind. Zoe Sawyer yanked the door open, and just as she’d hoped, the scene inside had changed.

Inside a brightly lit factory, the floor was covered in dark red stains that gave off a certain indescribable smell.

A row of chairs lined the walls of the room, and a person was tied to each one.

There were men and women, all of them young—the oldest looked to be in their thirties at most.

Thick hemp ropes bound their bodies and wrists.

Their heads were fixed in place, forcing them all to stare at an autopsy table in the center of the room.

Several figures in white lab coats and masks stood beside the table. One spoke, his tone somewhat frenzied, "Alright, the first lucky winner of the second batch has been chosen! Let’s hear it for the child who is about to enter paradise!"

The bound people had looks of terror on their faces, but the cheers came from the figures surrounding the autopsy table.

Then, one of them shifted slightly, revealing the face of the person on the table.

Zoe Sawyer’s pupils contracted. Wasn’t that Joy’s face?!

She glanced at the clock hanging in the middle of the factory wall.

Nine o’clock last night!

’I really am seeing the scene of a murder that’s already happened!’

Before Zoe Sawyer could feel any joy at her discovery, a wail of agony pulled her attention back.

The figure in the white coat moved his hands with nimble, light movements. If she didn’t know what he was doing, Zoe Sawyer would have been tempted to praise his professionalism.

Watching the familiar neighborhood girl let out continuous wails, her struggles restrained by the people holding her down, Zoe Sawyer couldn’t stop the urge to rush forward and push them all away.

But she couldn’t move.

She could only watch, helpless, as it all unfolded.

"AH!"