Robert entered his house and sat down on the couch and let out a heavy sigh. His wife entered the living room moments later.
‘How was the interrogation?’
Robert stared at her for a few seconds and waited for the anger blast. When that didn’t happen, he replied, ‘It was okay.’
Jennifer walked towards the dining table and poured a glass of water from the jug. She came back and handed it to Robert. He again stared at her, and she smiled and said ‘Don’t worry. I am not angry at you any more.’
‘How did this miracle happen?’ asked Robert.
‘Your mother came here today to visit her grandson. When she came to know that he is unhappy, she decided to take him for an outing.’
‘And where are they now?’
‘Out in the amusement park.’
‘You don’t mean the one near the south-point lane?’
‘I mean exactly that one. How did you know?’ said Jennifer.
Robert fished in his pocket and took out three tickets. He showed them to Jennifer. She laughed and ruffled his hair and said, ‘Don’t worry, you can take us next weekend.’
Robert nodded and drank the water. Jennifer spotted the black file besides Robert’s briefcase.
‘What is that?’ she asked.
Robert followed her gaze and picked up the file.
‘This belongs to Mark Becker. I’ve taken this for investigation,’ he said as he handed the file to her. Jennifer opened the file and immediately became engrossed in reading it. Robert got up and went to the bedroom to change his clothes and get freshened up. When he came back, he saw Jennifer talking on the phone. She had a worried look on her face. When she saw Robert, she hurriedly said goodbye and sat beside him on the couch. The way she positioned herself with her hands on the lap gave Robert the indication that she was about to say something serious.
‘What happened?’ asked Robert.
‘I read that file, and I find it pretty disturbing,’ answered Jennifer with a tone full of sad emotions.
‘Don’t worry. It was a bad accident. It’s part of my job to investigate such things.’
‘No, Rob, I am not talking about that. I mean those two girls, Stacy and Rebecca.’
Now it was Robert’s turn to look confused. He asked her, ‘What about them?’
Jennifer now turned fully sideways to face her husband properly.
‘The moment I read those reports, I knew I had known them. Actually, Rob, they are my friends’ daughters,’ she said as she showed him a framed photograph lying beside her in the couch. It showed two young ladies holding a baby each in their arms. They were laughing. At the corner of the picture was a beautiful young woman smiling broadly.
‘See this? That’s me and Kristie holding Stacy and Rebecca when they were cute little babies. The woman beside us is their mother Alice, Kristie’s sister,’ said Jennifer
Robert looked at the photograph.
‘I’ve been to Alice’s house a few times, back when I was in college. Kristie and I used to play with her daughters. So will you do something for me?’ asked Jennifer.
‘Your wish is my command,’ said Robert.
‘Will you look for them?’
‘It’s not possible, Jen. This case is a year old and is already resting in the cold-case directory,’ said Robert in a protesting tone.
‘I know. I am not asking you to do a formal investigation. I just want to do our part for Alice and for those girls. It’s just that we have always been told that they were dead. I know it is the inevitable in this case, but Alice never told me that they were missing and haven’t been found till today. It’s a misery in itself that you don’t know what happened to your loved one, especially your kid.’ Jennifer then shifted her gaze and followed it. They were now looking at their picnic photograph on the wall. It showed Jennifer and Robert laughing, with their son seated on Robert’s shoulders.
‘All right, I’ll do it when I get the time,’ said Robert.
Jennifer gave him the widest smile and hugged him.
‘Thank you so much, Rob,’ said Jennifer.
James and Mandy were now driving on the Autumn Street. James turned the car in the Lancer Mansion driveway and both stepped out. Harry opened the door for them and led them to the living room. Rosy and Jareb were already seated. Mandy and James sat opposite them.
‘Where is Anne?’ asked Mandy.
‘She is not here,’ said Harry.
‘Went looking for a new place to stay?’ asked James.
‘Probably,’ said Harry.
‘Actually, it has more to do with an old routine,’ said Rosy.
‘What routine?’ asked James.
‘Anne Hudson is never here on weekends.’