As they continued their conversation, Jacob revealed another crucial detail, adding a new layer to the mystery surrounding Thomas's death.

"Everything changed when Thomas's biological parents showed up," Jacob said, his expression growing somber. "They were incredibly wealthy and had been searching for him. When they finally found him, they wanted to take him back."

Inspector Dean's interest was piqued. "Do you know where they took him?"

Jacob nodded. "They took Thomas to Seattle. He would call me occasionally from there. At first, he seemed happy, but over time, I could tell something was wrong. He said he was fine, but there was always a tension in his voice, like he was hiding something."

  --Flashback - Thomas's POV --

 May 1, 2024

Thomas sat in a luxurious living room in Seattle, the city lights twinkling through the floor-to-ceiling windows. It was a stark contrast to the modest home in Oakridge where he had grown up. His biological parents, Charles and Eleanor Whitmore, were kind and welcoming, showering him with attention and gifts. They had insisted on taking him in as soon as they had found him .

At first , Thomas was overwhelmed by the change. The Whitmores were wealthy beyond his imagination , their mansion filled with every comfort and luxury he could have dreamed of. They even enrolled him in a prestigious private school , and his days were filled with new experiences.

But despite the outward appearances, Thomas felt an undercurrent of unease. His parents were often busy with their high - powered careers, leaving him alone in the vast mansion saying that they have some important business meet and works. The staff were polite but distant, and Thomas missed the warmth and familiarity of Oakridge.

He kept in touch with Jacob, their conversations a lifeline to his old life. In their calls, Thomas tried to sound upbeat, but Jacob could sense his friend's growing discomfort.

"Hey, Jacob, ... " Thomas said one evening, sitting on the edge of his plush bed. "Things are okay here, I guess. It's just...  different. My parents are nice, but I feel like I don't belong."

"Are you sure everything's alright?" Jacob's voice crackled through the phone, filled with concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Thomas replied, forcing a smile. " It's just going to take some getting used to. I'll be okay."

But as the weeks went by, Thomas's health began to decline again. The device that Jacob's father had designed wasn't as effective, and his lung condition worsened. He tried to talk to his biological parents about it, but they seemed more interested in appearances than addressing his medical needs. Their solution was to consult high-profile doctors who offered expensive but ineffective treatments.

One day, while alone in the mansion, Thomas received an anonymous letter. The note was brief but chilling, warning him to stay quiet and not dig into his past. Fear gripped him, and he realized that his return to his biological family might have placed him in more danger than he had ever been in Oakridge.

End of Flashback

Jacob finished his story, looking at Dean with a mixture of sorrow and determination. "Thomas never seemed the same after moving to Seattle. I think something—or someone—there was making his life miserable, but he wouldn't tell me who."

Inspector Dean processed the information, realizing that the investigation needed to expand to Seattle. "Thank you, Jacob. You've given us critical information. We'll follow up on this lead."

As they left Jacob's house, Dean turned to his team. "We need to dig into the Whitmores' background and find out what was happening in Seattle. There's more to this story, and I suspect Thomas's biological parents might have some answers."

Lisa nodded. "I'll start gathering information on the Whitmores and their connections. If they were hiding something, we'll find it."

Rachel added, "I'll look into Thomas's time in Seattle and see if I can uncover any unusual activity or reports related to his health. "

Dean and his team set out with renewed purpose. The journey to uncover the truth behind Thomas Garrett's death was far from over, but they were one step closer to revealing the full extent of the tragedy that had befallen him. The path now led to Seattle, where the next chapter of the investigation awaited.

Back in Oakridge, Agent Lisa Carter began her inquiry with the neighbors of Thomas's adoptive parents. She aimed to uncover any details that might have been missed in the initial investigation. As she went door-to-door, she collected various accounts, each adding a piece to the puzzle.

Flashback

February 15 , 2024

Thomas enjoyed the small-town feel of Oakridge, where everyone knew each other. His adoptive parents, Harold and Martha, were well-liked in the community, and their home was a place of warmth and safety. Thomas often found comfort in his daily routines and interactions with neighbors.

Mr.  Johnson's Account

Mr. Johnson, an elderly man who lived next door, often saw Thomas in the mornings. "Thomas was a polite and cheerful boy, he loves dogs but his father has allergy. But he will play with my dog here daily. My pup misses him too " he told Lisa. " He always greeted me with a smile when he saw me out tending my garden. We'd chat about school , and he'd sometimes help me with the heavy lifting. "

Flashback - Thomas        

On one such morning, Thomas had stopped to chat with Mr. Johnson. "Good morning, Mr. Johnson!" Thomas called out as he walked past the neatly kept garden.

"Good morning , Thomas, " Mr. Johnson replied , wiping his hands on his gardening apron. " How's school going? "

" It's going well ," Thomas said, smiling. " I'm actually working on a project about local history. Maybe you could tell me some stories sometime? "

Mr. Johnson laughed. " I'd be happy to, Thomas. Come by anytime my pup wants to enjoy the day with you ."

Mrs. Turner's Account

Mrs. Turner, who lived across the street, remembered seeing Thomas with Jacob frequently.  "They were inseparable once Jacob moved to town. I often saw them playing basketball in the driveway or working on something in the garage. They are like brothers, I thought that Jacob was his lost brother as you know Thomas is an ... orphan, but it seemed so they are not. I came to know that when his real parents came and asked him to join back with their family. "

Flashback - Thomas

Thomas and Jacob were in the garage, surrounded by parts and tools, working on the special device Dr. Foster had designed. They were focused and determined, their friendship growing stronger with each passing day.

"Pass me that wrench dude," Thomas said, adjusting a small component on the device.

Jacob handed it over, watching closely. "I think this might be the best version yet. How do you feel?"

Thomas took a deep breath, feeling the immediate relief the device provided. "Much better. This is incredible, Jacob. Thank you ."

Mrs. Nguyen's Account

Mrs. Nguyen, who lived a few houses down, often saw Thomas and his adoptive parents on their Sunday morning walks to the local park. "They looked like a happy family couple. No one knows about this, they borrowed a hefty amount as loan and they even sold some of their property ust for Thomas medical expenses. Thomas always seemed content and loved. I doubt even a adopted family may do that"

Flashback - Thomas

Every Sunday, Harold, Martha, and Thomas would walk to the park together. It was their family tradition, a time to bond and enjoy the fresh air. Thomas cherished these moments, feeling the deep sense of belonging they provided.

As they strolled through the park, Harold put his arm around Thomas's shoulders. "How's the new device working, son?"

Thomas smiled. "It's amazing, Dad. I can breathe so much easier now."

Martha squeezed his hand. "We're so proud of you, Thomas. You've been so strong through all of this."

Back to Present

As Lisa compiled these accounts, she began to see the fuller picture of Thomas's life in Oakridge. The neighbors' stories painted a portrait of a boy who was loved and supported, whose life was tragically cut short.

She shared her findings with Inspector Dean and the rest of the team . "Thomas was well - liked and seemed happy here. His relationship with his adoptive parents and the neighbors was positive. There were no signs of the abuse that was initially reported on police investigations."

Dean nodded, digesting the information. "It's becoming clearer that the narrative we were given was flawed by the police reports. We need to look deeper into what happened after Thomas moved to Seattle. The Whitmores might hold the key."

Lisa agreed. "I'll keep digging into the Whitmores' background and their connections. We need to know if anyone in Seattle had a motive to harm Thomas."

As the team continued their investigation, the pieces of the puzzle began to align. Each new detail brought them closer to the truth, uncovering the layers of deceit and manipulation that had surrounded Thomas's life and death. The next step was clear: they had to delve into the world of the Whitmores and find out what secrets lay hidden in Seattle.