As Lisa continued her inquiries, she came across another neighbor, Mrs. Martinez, who had some revealing insights about the Whitmores' involvement in Thomas's life.

Flashback - Thomas's POV

February 20, 2024

Thomas was playing basketball in the driveway when Mrs. Martinez, an observant and friendly neighbor, walked by. She stopped to chat, her sharp eyes noticing the expensive car parked outside the Garretts' home.

Mrs. Martinez's Account

"That car belonged to the Whitmores," Mrs. Martinez told Lisa. "I remember the day they visited. It was unusual to see such a fancy rich car in our neighborhood. They had a long conversation with Harold and Martha, and afterward, Thomas seemed different. Quieter, more withdrawn."

Flashback - Thomas

After the Whitmores' visit, Thomas sat on the porch steps, dribbling the basketball absentmindedly. His parents joined him, their faces strained.

"Thomas, we need to talk," Harold said, sitting down beside him. Martha stood close, her expression a mix of worry and resignation.

"What's wrong?" Thomas asked, sensing the tension.

Harold took a deep breath. "The Whitmores, your biological parents, have offered to help us financially. They're willing to pay off our loan, but..."

"But they want you to join their family," Martha finished, her voice trembling. "They believe they can provide you with better medical care and a more comfortable life."

Thomas felt a surge of confusion and fear. "Do you want me to go?"

Harold shook his head vehemently. "We don't want to lose you, Thomas. But we also don't want you to suffer because of our financial struggles. We're in a difficult position."

Martha's eyes filled with tears. "We love you so much, Thomas. This decision is yours. We'll support whatever you choose."

Back to Present

Lisa noted Mrs. Martinez's account carefully. The coercion by the Whitmores to get Thomas to join their family was a significant detail. It indicated that the Whitmores used their financial power to influence the Garretts, leveraging their loan to get Thomas back.

She returned to the command center to share her findings with Inspector Dean and the rest of the team.

"Mrs. Martinez confirmed that the Whitmores coerced the Garretts into letting Thomas go by offering to pay off their loan," Lisa reported. "This adds another layer to the story. The Garretts were under financial pressure, and the Whitmores used that to their advantage."

Dean nodded thoughtfully. "It's becoming clear that Thomas's move to Seattle wasn't entirely voluntary. The Whitmores had a significant influence over the situation. We need to find out more about their motivations and what happened once Thomas was in their care."

Rachel added, "I've been looking into the Whitmores' background. They're well-connected and have a lot of influence in Seattle. There are rumors about their involvement in some shady dealings, but nothing concrete yet."

Kim chimed in, "We should also look into the financial records of the Garretts. If we can trace the payments from the Whitmores, it might give us more leverage in understanding their control over the situation."

Dean agreed. "Let's follow these leads. Lisa, continue interviewing anyone who might have more information. Rachel, dig deeper into the Whitmores' connections. Kim, work on the financial angle. We need to build a comprehensive picture of what was happening behind the scenes."

As the team dispersed to their tasks, Dean felt a renewed determination. The investigation was uncovering a complex web of manipulation and deceit. With each new piece of information, they were getting closer to understanding the full story of Thomas Garrett's tragic fate and the forces that had shaped it. The next steps would take them deeper into the Whitmores' world, where the final answers likely lay hidden.

IN SEATTLE

Inspector Dean arrived in Seattle and headed straight to Seattle Boys High, the school where Thomas had been enrolled after moving in with the Whitmores. As he walked through the hallways, he could feel the chilly atmosphere. Students whispered and cast disdainful glances at any mention of Thomas's name. The air was thick with hostility.

Dean approached a group of students, asking about Thomas, but their responses were cold and dismissive. "He was a plague," one muttered, "always causing trouble." Another chimed in, "Good riddance."

Determined to get to the bottom of the matter, Dean continued his inquiries until a boy named Isaac discreetly approached him. "I need to talk to you," Isaac whispered. "But not here. Follow me."

Flashback - Isaac's POV

April 5, 2024

The day Thomas joined Seattle Boys High was a bright spring morning. Isaac remembered it clearly. Thomas walked into the classroom with an air of nervous excitement. He was assigned the seat next to Isaac.

"Hey, I'm Thomas," he said with a shy smile.

"Isaac," he replied, shaking Thomas's hand. They quickly became desk mates and friends, sharing notes and helping each other with assignments.

Everything seemed fine until the day of the mock exam. During the test, Thomas noticed David, a notorious troublemaker, cheating by using a small piece of paper. Thomas's eyes widened as he watched David stealthily glance at the paper hidden in his palm. Before the teacher could catch him, David quickly ate the paper, destroying the evidence.

Thomas was appalled by the blatant dishonesty. After the exam, he confronted David. "You shouldn't cheat," Thomas said quietly. "It's not fair to the others."

David's eyes flashed with anger. "Mind your own business," he hissed. From that moment, David and his cronies decided to make Thomas's life a living hell.

Flashback - Isaac

The bullying started subtly at first, with snide comments and minor pranks. But it quickly escalated. Isaac tried to stay out of it, but he couldn't help but notice the increasing cruelty.

One day, after school, Isaac was in the bathroom when he heard muffled cries. He peered around the corner and saw David and his gang surrounding Thomas. They were forcing him to run around the school ground shirtless, laughing and jeering as Thomas complied, tears streaming down his face.

"Come on, run faster, plague boy!" David taunted, shoving Thomas.

On another occasion, Isaac found Thomas locked in the locker room, stripped of his clothes. He had been left there after gym class, shivering and humiliated. Isaac quickly unlocked the door and handed Thomas his clothes. "I'm so sorry, Thomas," Isaac whispered. "I wish I could do more to stop them."

Thomas looked at him with haunted eyes. "Thanks, Isaac. You're the only one who's been kind to me."

End of Flashback

In the hidden corner of the school, Isaac recounted these events to Dean, his voice shaking with anger and guilt. "They tortured him, Inspector. Every day was a nightmare for Thomas. I tried to help him, but I was too scared to stand up to them."

Dean's face hardened with determination. "Thank you, Isaac. You've been brave to come forward. This information is crucial. We need to understand what Thomas went through here and who was responsible."

Isaac nodded, tears welling up in his eyes. "He didn't deserve any of it. He was a good person, just trying to fit in. But they never gave him a chance."

Dean placed a reassuring hand on Isaac's shoulder. "We'll make sure Thomas gets the justice he deserves. The truth will come out."

With this new perspective on Thomas's suffering, Dean knew the next step was to confront David and his gang. They needed to answer for their actions and explain why they had targeted Thomas so viciously. Dean also needed to delve deeper into the Whitmores' role in all of this. Their wealth and influence had created a facade of care, but beneath it lay a darker reality.

The investigation in Seattle was far from over, but with each new piece of information, Dean and his team were closer to unraveling the mystery and bringing those responsible to justice.