The neighbors that Tim and Jude met after they got separated from Rice siblings, just like Marsha told them, were very normal and kind people. Old people living quietly and peaceful life. They really looked sad at what happened to Rice family, but no one remembered what happened to them on that day.
“Those poor people. They never did anything bad. Marsha took care of every single of family member, and they all had good terms. Tsk tsk, pity them. Their heart must be burning right now.”
A next door widow, Mrs. Rochester, did a sign of the cross and said, “You guys are working hard. It’s really nothing but take these” and gave them cookies that she just baked. She forced the cookies on them. They took that bag of cookies and went to Mr. Melvin’s house. When they told him the story that children told them, he panicked a little and shook his two hands.
“I admit that I took out words little irresponsibly, but that’s to calm the little child down. And, and isn’t it true that a missing person to come back home safely is rare?”
They told him still it was very insensitive of him to take that out to a child and went to the next door Mrs. Sarkozy’s house. Mrs. Sarkozy saw the cookie bag that Jude was holding and smiled saying, “Oh my, it must be a work of Mrs. Rochester. She’s really good” and gave them cup of tea.
“It wasn’t like they never had an issue since they are such a big family, but still they were a happy family. I don’t know what happened, but I hope they get over it well.”
They said bye to her who was praying to the cross, and the two detective stopped their investigation for a short time. It was after they heard the stories from all the people who are related to Rice family. They sat in the car, and Jude stretched with little bit bored face. A sunlight coming inside through the window was hot.
“They are all perfect.”
“…..Yeah. If it’s unnatural, it’s unnatural, but if you look through a pair of color glasses, it doesn’t have anything that looks weird….. But what’s wrong today? You didn’t even touch the cookies.”
“Ahh. I ate something before coming here without telling you.”
“……You bastard. Then I’m gonna eat these by myself.”
“Sure. I will let you with my kind heart, Mr. Timothy Maxwell.”
Tim laughed at him waving his hand and hold one cookie. He put the cookie in his mouth and start chewing on it, but his expression changed to weird. Jude looked at him strangely and asked him.
“Why? Is it weird?”
“No…. um, it’s too sweet. It’s good, but I’ll get sick of it soon. Should I give it to the station later?”
“It’s you who doesn’t like sweet. Well, give it to them. I’ll kindly tell them why you are giving it to them.”
“Damn you….. Let’s start get going to the station and search their relatives and background of the neighbors. And let’s contact that Liz person who had an argument with them. I should eat something after we get there.”
He closed the cookie bag and put it on the back seat and turned on the engine.
-About 10 minutes while Jude was rhythmically shaking his head to an old pop, the car started to shake. It wasn’t like the car went over some big rock on the road; it was like the driver couldn’t hold the handle well. But there isn’t any obstacle on this road, why? –Jude questioned and turned his head, and Jude ended up in shock.
“Tim? Tim! What’s wrong?”
The brown hair detective’s face was full of sweat. A frowning face and pale lips, he looked very painful, and Jude asked why, and he bit his lips.
“…….I don’t know….. My stomach…. It feels, like, throwing………”
“Your stomach hurts? Why so suddenly…… Urgh! Tim, Tim, Tiiiiiiiiiim!”