Semua Bab Missing Child Case: I Put My Neighborhood on Trial: Bab 1 - Bab 10

Ten minutes later, the sound of police sirens rose from downstairs.Officer Holt, leading the team, shouted up through a megaphone, "Stay calm, Sophia Watson! What you're doing is a serious crime! Restore the building systems immediately. We can talk about everything!"I walked over to the window and pulled it open just a crack. Below, red and blue lights flashed.Police tape had already been set up. Reporters who had caught wind of the situation swarmed like sharks that smelled blood, trying to break past the line.I didn't respond to Officer Holt. Instead, I sent a second message to the residents' group chat."Everyone, I know you're innocent, and I don't want to hurt anyone. I just want my son, Zeke, to be back. From now on, I need you to do three things."First, knock on each other's doors and make sure everything is normal. Second, think carefully—did you see anyone or hear anything unusual between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm three days ago?"Finally, send any clues to me, or pass

My heart started pounding.This marble was the first piece of physical evidence since Zeke disappeared. Why was it on my doorstep? Had he left it himself as a signal, or was the kidnapper taunting me?The janitress.Immediately, I tagged the property manager in the residents' group chat. "Send me the full list and photos of all cleaning staff on duty recently. ASAP!"The property manager, clearly terrified, didn't delay. A few seconds later, a list appeared. The photo showed a janitress named Jane Miller, in her 50s, with a face that looked honest and reliable.I posted the screenshot to the group. "@everyone, does anyone know Ms. Miller? Which floors does she clean? Where is she now?"Replies came in almost instantly."Ms. Miller is very nice and hardworking.""She's responsible for the high-rise section, floors 12 to 22.""I don't think she came in today."A foreboding hit me immediately. I switched screens and began tracking into the citywide traffic monitoring system.My

The group chat erupted in shock."Mrs. Riverson? No way. Her family is usually so low-profile.""Yeah, Mrs. Riverson is a softie. I even saw her helping an elderly man into the elevator last week.""Are you sure about this, Sophia? This can't be it!"Mrs. Riverson herself appeared in the chat soon after. Her avatar was a cute cartoon cat.She sent a pleading emoji. "@801SophiaW, I don't know what you're talking about. Yesterday, Ms. Miller only asked me if she should take out the trash for me."What a perfect explanation. If it weren't for the file Sam had just sent me, I might have actually believed her. The file contained detailed information about her husband.On the surface, Mr. Riverson was just an ordinary clerk. In reality, though, his department held immense power. One project he handled had an approval process directly tied to Mr. Cooper's company.Another case he oversaw required a key witness to have a psychiatric evaluation issued by Dr. Lynch.Mr. Cooper, Dr. Lync

"Where's Zeke?" I asked bluntly, my voice icy.Matthew calmly removed his glasses and wiped them with a cloth. "He's in a very safe place. If you cooperate, he'll be back with you in no time.""And how do I cooperate?""Simple," he said, putting his glasses back on. Behind the lenses, his eyes glinted with sharp intelligence."Lift the building lockdown, destroy everything you've collected today, and then announce to everyone that this was all just a misunderstanding.""And what about my son?""You'll reunite with him," he replied lightly. "The cops will bring him back. Everyone gets their happy endings."I sneered. "Professor Walker, do you take me for a kid? If I let you walk out of here today, tomorrow, my son and I could just magically disappear from this world."His expression darkened. "In case I wasn't clear, I'm giving you a chance, Sophia. Don't be ungrateful.""A chance?"I stepped closer, closing the distance. "You kidnapped my son, murdered Ms. Miller, and now you

Ten minutes later, the lobby of Grand Summit Residence fell into a silent tension.Mr. Cooper, Dr. Lynch, and the Riverson couple stood in the center, their faces as pale as chalk. Around them, armed SWAT officers were on high alert.The massive lobby screen was split into three frames.On the left, Zeke struggled to breathe in the hidden chamber of Unit 1204. In the center, Matthew was tied to a chair in my living room. On the right, a five-minute countdown clock glared in bright red.I didn't appear in person, but my voice echoed through the lobby like a judge's gavel. "Mr. Cooper, why did you give Ms. Miller half a million dollars?"He trembled but tried to keep his composure. "I-I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not even close to her!""Really? Then, how familiar are you with the Tri-Glaze Figurine in Professor Walker's study?" I asked."As far as I know, you spent 15 million at an overseas auction last month to buy it. Too bad, it was a fake. The real one is here,