It's been a week, and there's still no word on the whereabouts of the missing people. Jack has been agitated by the lack of progress in Amelie's case. Jack decided to look into the other missing people since he was tired of waiting. Jack isn't sure if his friend is still alive, but given that no missing bodies have been discovered, he wouldn't dare to suppose she's dead.
I planned to find out who this missing person was. And the only ones who could provide me with answers are the officers. Desmond came to mind right away. Will they, however, tell me about them? Jack questioned himself. For the time being, I'll just ask around the city.
I noticed flyers put in the walls of buildings as I traveled across town. This is it; these are the posters of the missing people. But why are there so many of them? I had no idea there were so many people who had gone missing. Where should I begin my investigation? I chose three posters depicting missing people.
If someone had information on the town, it would be somewhere where people gather. Mr. Moligans matches the description because he owns a pub. Mr. Moligans isn't the only one owning a pub in this town, but for now, I'll start with someone I know. I'll question him when I get home later.
When I entered the room, I found Mr. Arlo sharpening a knife and a cleaver. I greeted him and started to work assisting him. Mr. Arlo sent me home when I finished the last batch of meat to butcher. I proceeded to find Mr. Moligans and begin questioning him. I handed him the flyers and asked whether he recognized any of them. Mr. Moligans looks at me as if I were a strange person, but he eventually tells me about them.
"Two of these missing people are people I know. Derrick and Mathilda, I knew Derrick because he was once a chef at my pub but shortly left after receiving an offer at House of the Quintrala to be their official chef, and Mathilda is my neighbor. If I remember correctly, Mathilda also works as a maid at the House of Quintrala."
Mr. Moligans appears to be uncomfortable discussing them. I guess I've asked enough questions, so I just nodded to him.
"I appreciate you telling me, Mr. Moligans. I'm going to leave now."
I should go home first to inform my parents so that they will not worry about my whereabouts, and then I will go out to find out about this missing person.
I planned to go out in the afternoon. I told my parents I was going to the pub to help Mr. Arlo with something so they wouldn't be concerned about me.
I decided to go to the location where these missing people used to live.
I request a coachman because I'm not sure where the location on the poster is.
"How much do you charge for the lower east side of San Arielo?"
I'm not sure how much it will cost me, but I'll have to go through Varshel town on my way from a pub where I work on the lower east side of Astoria to San Arielo.
"Five mora"
The coachman replied.
"All right."
I climbed into the carriage. As it made its way to San Arielo, the sound of galloping hooves rang across the streets.
"Thank you."
San Arielo has a more unique setting than the other villages in Dumont City because it is free of structures and people.
I passed by the restaurant and other establishments. As my feet led me in front of the modest houses, one of which was the missing person's residence.
I knocked on the door and was greeted by an elderly lady.
"Hello ma'am, Is this Mr. Derrick's residence?"
"Yes... what can I do for you?"
"My name is Jack Morgan, Ma'am, my friend has gone missing as well. I'm simply here to ask a few questions, and perhaps there's a connection that can lead us to them."
The woman took a few steps back and motioned for me to enter.
"Thank you for inviting me, ma'am. please accept my apologies for the unexpected intrusion."
"It's all right, I'll make you a cup of coffee."
I looked around the house after she left and spotted one black and white photograph of a man. I'm assuming this is Derrick.
"Are you staring at his photograph?"
I'm flabbergasted when she suddenly speaks behind me. "Yes, Is this him?"
"Yes. He is, in fact, my son. I'm Alice Morris, and you're welcome to sit."
As she sat down, she brought me a cup of coffee. I feel like I should tell her about Amelie, so she won't be afraid to tell me if she has any information.
"Thank you, Mrs. Morris."
I took a drink of coffee after accepting it. I tasted the sugar in the coffee; thus, I believe her son was supporting her and providing mora for her needs. Although he appears to be a decent son, why would someone like him get into trouble? I'm guessing this kidnapping isn't driven by a personal grudge.
My mind immediately went crazy, like a beast loosed from its leash.
"Ahem, my friend Amelie, she, too, has gone missing, just like your son. It happened after we paid a visit to her professor. However, she went home that night, so I couldn't accuse her professor."
I begin to share my personal situations in the hopes that she will also tell me about hers.
"Could you tell me a little bit more about Derrick? Maybe this might help us find them?"
"Well, my son is a fine young man. I can't think of any reason why someone would want to hurt him. In Quintrala's house, he is an official cook. I... I'm extremely proud of my son; after my husband died, he took care of me."
She sobbed when she stated this.
"But how did you discover that your son had gone missing?"
"I hadn't known exactly since when he went gone. My son comes to see me around twice or three times a week, but he suddenly stopped coming to see me two weeks ago, so I went to see him at work, but they told me that he had not returned to work. I know... I'm sure they did something to him because that was the last possible location he could have been."
"Did you suspect, Mrs. Morris, that the Quintrala family was responsible for your son's kidnapping?"
"Yes, it makes sense because some of the missing people are Viscount's workers, slaves, and maids."
"Cedrick Quintrala? The Viscount?"
I asked in disbelief. There's a chance he'd do it because all the aristocrats discriminate against the commoners, but I couldn't think of a reason for him to abduct his workers without a reason.
"I don't doubt you, Ms. Alice, but do you have any evidence that he would wish to hurt your son?"
"I… I don't."
"Also, I'm not sure what the connection is to Amelie because the only person from the Middle Class we're connected to is Professor Anderson, who is also the last person Amelie had met. He is the person of interest in the disappearance of Amelie."
"Professor Anderson?"
She asked of me as though she wanted my response to her question.
"Yes, Ms. Alice."
"This is strange since he is Lady Catalina's fiancée. The daughter of Viscount Cedrick of Quintrala."
When we suddenly realized something strange, our eyes widened.