The next morning.
Luke and David decided to visit the individuals related to the "Taylors Disappearance Case."
Twenty years ago, these people had given statements.
With new leads available, they needed to make them make new statements, in the hope of uncovering new information.
However, finding them again after twenty years wasn't easy. Many had moved or changed contact information.
Their first search was for the cook, Salman Khan. According to Hans Miller, his wife had trusted this cook and he had worked at their house for over a decade.
Unfortunately, Salman Khan's phone number was out of service.
They found his last known address, but he had moved ten years ago.
With no other option, they moved on to their next target.
The manor's maid, Cindy Botu.
Cindy Botu had not left a phone number; not everyone had a phone back then.
They drove directly to her listed address.
A two-story white villa with a 200-square-meter yard, planted with flowers and plants, giving off a homely vibe.
This was the advantage of living in a small town—leisurely, relaxed, and affordable housing.
They reached the door and knocked.
"Creeeak…" After a while, the door opened.
A white woman in her twenties stood at the door. "Who are you looking for?"
"Is Cindy Botu living here?"
"Yes, who are you?"
Luke showed his badge. "LAPD."
"Wow… I've only seen you on TV. Are you real?"
"Of course. What is your relation to Cindy Botu?"
"She's my mother."
"Is she home?"
"Yes, she's home. What do you need?"
"We'd like to speak with her about some matters. Please call her out."
"Mom, the LA police are here for you."
After a moment, a woman in her fifties came downstairs and looked at the door from the living room. "Police? What do you need?"
Luke assessed her and asked, "Are you Ms. Cindy Botu?"
"Yes, that's me. I haven't called the police."
"We're here to inquire about the 'Taylors Manor Disappearance Case.'"
"What? It's been twenty years. You're not scammers, are you?"
Luke showed his badge again. "New clues have emerged in the case, and we need to take a new statement."
Cindy Botu seemed stunned for a moment. "OK, this is just unbelievable."
"Can we discuss this inside?"
"Of course." Cindy invited them in and instructed her daughter, "Go make two cups of coffee."
Luke entered the living room and observed the clean surroundings.
Cindy indicated the sofa for them to sit. "Have you found Mrs. Anna? Is she OK?"
"We have found some clues about Anna, but we can't confirm anything yet."
"So what do you need from me?"
"We have some questions for you."
"OK, go ahead."
Cindy's daughter came over with a tray, placed three cups of coffee on the table, and then left the room.
Luke continued, "In recent years, have you recalled any new clues about the 'Taylors Manor Disappearance Case'?"
"Uh, it's been twenty years; I can barely remember what Mrs. Anna looked like."
"Do you know Salman Khan?"
"The Asian cook from the manor?"
"Yes. Do you have his contact details or know where he lives?"
"No."
Luke took out the sketch of Cole. "Do you recognize him?"
Cindy took a look and thought for a moment. "He looks familiar… Oh, is he the suspect driver from the manor?"
"Yes. Do you know his whereabouts?"
"No, I remember he was a suspect twenty years ago and was too afraid to return to Heim City."
Luke then showed Tony's photo. "Do you know him?"
Cindy looked at the photo closely and shook her head. "No, I don't recognize him."
Luke didn't give up and showed Rowan's photo. "What about this person?"
Cindy shook her head again. "No impression."
Luke nodded and took back the photos. "We're trying to find people who worked at the manor back then. Do you still have contact with them or know their addresses?"
Cindy thought for a moment. "Wow, it's been so long, let me think… Oh, I remember George. He also lived in Heim City and was the gardener at Taylors Manor."
With the address in hand, Luke and David left.
George's house wasn't far; it was just a few minutes' drive.
Luke knocked on George's door again. An elderly black woman in her sixties answered.
"Who are you looking for?"
"LAPD. We're investigating the 'Taylors Manor Disappearance Case' and need to speak with George."
The old woman pondered. "The case from twenty years ago?"
"Yes."
"You're not scammers, are you? Although I'm old, I'm not senile."
Luke showed his badge. "We just came from Cindy's house. She told us George worked at Taylors Manor too."
"OK, come in." The old woman stepped aside and called into the house, "George, we have visitors."
After a while, a seventy-year-old man with gray hair came out. "What visitors? Are you here to ask me about gardening? What type of plants?"
The old woman clarified, "No, they're police officers. They want to ask you about Taylors Manor."
"What manor? Tyson Manor? The boxer? Is he hiring me as a gardener?
Oh my gosh, I heard he had a big tiger, what a freak.
But I liked it."
The old woman shrugged. "No, it's Taylors, the place where you used to work."
"I've worked as a gardener all my life, and there are many places I've worked. I can't remember them all." The elderly man looked at Luke and David. "You're police officers?"
"Yes."
"The police station can't give discounts, so don't even think about it."
Luke "…"
The old woman shook her head. "Sorry, he's old and started showing signs of dementia last year. He generally has a clearer mind after his afternoon nap; you can come back then."
Luke and David left the house, looking puzzled.
David tried to reassure himself, "After all, it's a case from twenty years ago. It's normal that it's hard to investigate."
Luke got into the car. "Where to next?"
David took out his notebook and marked it. "Next one."
...
Half an hour later, they found Shani Cabin, who had been a cook at Taylors Manor.
Shani Cabin was now a woman in her fifties, running a small tavern. She was a bit over 1.6 meters tall and had a similar waistline.
Luke thought she might weigh even more than he did.
After explaining their purpose, Shani Cabin was very enthusiastic. "Oh, Taylors Manor, I remember it. Salman Khan worked with me there, and he made great curry lamb."
"Do you still have contact with him?"
"No." Shani Cabin said quietly, "My husband would get jealous."
Luke unenthusiastically agreed, "Of course, he would." Then he changed the subject, "In recent years, have you recalled any new clues about the 'Taylors Manor Disappearance Case'?"
"I was already dismissed at the time, so I don't know much about the case. It's not related to me."
Luke then asked her to help identify some photos.
When she saw Tony's photo, Shani seemed to remember something. "This person… looks familiar."
"Where have you seen him?"
"I'm not very sure. He looks much older than I remember."
"This is his most recent photo. His name is Tony. Think carefully…"
"Tony, Tony…" Shani Cabin muttered, "I remember now. He seems to be the boyfriend of the manor's maid."
Luke frowned slightly. "Is that maid Cindy Botu?"
"Yes, Cindy. I haven't seen her for many years. I almost forgot."
Luke and David left and quickly returned to Cindy Botu's home.
David slammed the steering wheel. "Damn, we were tricked by her."
Luke thought to himself, no wonder Cindy Botu gave George's address. George, with his dementia, wouldn't remember Tony's identity.
It could divert the police's attention and buy time for her to escape.