Backlund, Cherwood Borough, Rice Police Department.
Leonard Mitchell picked up the folder on the desk, fastened the buttons of his police uniform, and said to the inspector beside him, who was watching him warily:
"Give me ten minutes, please."
Having just concluded a Beyonder theft case in Backlund and needing to immediately throw himself into the Conston Serial Murder Case, he could only spare this morning to handle his "private matter." He had therefore gone so far as to use some personal connections and contact the Mandated Punishers in charge of Cherwood Borough.
The Mandated Punisher in uniform wore an unmistakable look of reluctance, but eventually nodded and pointed toward the interview room next door.
"We'll be watching you closely."
Ignoring the barbed reply, Leonard pushed open the door, entered the interview room, locked it behind him, and walked over to sit beside a broad wooden table.
Across from him sat a girl of about sixteen in a black dress, with brown hair and dark eyes. Her face was expressionless. Only when Leonard pulled out his chair with a scraping sound did her expression shift slightly, her gaze instinctively turning toward him.
"Hello, Emily O'Neill. I'm Senior Inspector Mitchell. I have a few questions I'd like to ask you."
Leonard forced out a warm smile and spoke softly.
His gentle tone, handsome features, and friendly smile finally touched the girl's heart. The corners of her mouth moved and curved upward slightly. At last, she stopped looking so sullen.
Knowing that the Mandated Punisher next door was secretly listening in, trying to ease the pain in the heart of this girl who had become an orphan during the "Capim Kidnapping Case," Leonard did not immediately ask about the matter he cared about most. Instead, he began with minor details of her