Barry took a look at his phone and looked more worried.

"What is that?", Abra asked; she was getting tired of being confused and kept in suspense.

Here, take a look", Barry said, handing his phone to her. It was a picture of a paper that had the writing, 'You could be next.'

"Where was this found?"

"In the home of one of the missing persons?"

"Rose, a teenager who went to bed yesterday and was nowhere found today, and Susan, a woman in her forties. The paper was found in Rose's room, under her pillow."

"Is there any Lucas Mateo missing?"

"No. I haven't heard about that."

"The people that are dead now. Were there any reports of them missing before they died?"

"No, and that's what just confuses me more. We have tried interrogating the family members of the deceased, but we aren't getting meaningful information from them."

"I need to get home now. Aren't you going to tell me what benefits I would be getting for feeding you with news before I go?"

"$500"

"Make it $650 and top it up with me getting a private detective batch once I solve this case."

"Ha! You really think you can solve this case. I love your confidence."

"Yeah, you do. If you didn't, I wouldn't be in your office now, and it may surprise you to know that I already have my leads. So is this a deal or not?"

There were a few seconds of silence as Barry rubbed his head again. It has become a habit now. "Fine. $650 and a batch IF you solve this case", Barry said, giving in but stressing on the "if."

"For the money, I need my payments now. Here's my number; you can send it here", Abra said, dropping a can with her account details before walking away.

Barry was not so happy with Abra's attitude, but if she had a lead, then it was safe to say the case could indeed be solved. Barry wanted to believe the case would be solved so badly, even if it wasn't Abra who could solve it. He wanted to remain in the position of sheriff for as long as he wanted. He believed she would feed him with the right information and that he would be able to solve the case, with or without her. He wanted to get more recognition, and this was a good way to do so. This thought put a smile on his face. He sent the money to Abra.

When Abra went home, she noticed the door of the house was slightly open, and when she went into the house, she saw that everything looked scattered and ransacked. Her next instinct was to pick up a baseball bat that was nearby. She knew her house would not be safe given the work that she was currently working on, but she did not know it would be this soon.

Someone was coming from upstairs, so Abra took the opportunity to hide behind the wall, holding onto the baseball bat tighter, and was ready to strike. When the person was fully down from the stairs, Abra rushed out from her hiding spot and was about to hit the person really hard when she realized it was her mother.

"Christ Jesus. Abra, you scared the hell out of me. Why are you holding a baseball bat, for crying out loud? And why did you try to hit me?"

"I thought someone broke in, mom. What are you doing? The whole house is a mess! Did someone come in?"

"Oh, you thought someone came in. I was just looking for some things. No one came in, I promise. I threw some dirt out; that's why the door was open. I must've forgotten to shut it. I would make sure I tidy up right now. Sorry for messing everything up."

"You are sure no one came in, mom?"

"I'm very sure, Abra. I ordered pizza, though. Yours is in the kitchen. It's still hot, so you can eat it now."

"Why did you call me earlier today, though?", Abra asked, remembering the call.

"It was Sheriff Barry that called to ask about you, so I called to ask where you were, but you didn't pick up."

"Yeah, sorry, I was busy."

Abra joined her mom to arrange the house quietly.

"Mum, you need to go back to your house, though", Abra said to her mom when they were done arranging the house.

"Is this about me scattering the house? Are you still mad at me?"

"No, no, mom. It's not about you messing the house up. It's because it's not safe to be here anymore. People know I play a detective role, and everyone is a suspect right now. Anyone can try to kill me. I need you to leave the city and go back to your house. Your business will strive even better there."

"I care more about you than my business. You are all I've got."

"And you are all I've got too, mom, and that's why I need you to be safe. Please go home tomorrow by 6 a.m. tomorrow; I'm begging you."

It was kind of a tough decision for Abra to make, but she knew she was making the right decision.

Mrs. Roberta did not say anything anymore, and Abra knew she was upset, but she needed her to leave. She didn't want her to be in danger or be a distraction from the case she was working on.

***

Mabel arrived close to Abra's house by 11 a.m., as planned. She drove Abra to Lucas' house, which was twenty minutes drive away from Abra's house.

When they got there, Abra knocked on the door four times before deciding to check if it was locked.

"If we walk into this house like that, it would be considered trespassing", Mabel said.

"Relax Mabel. Don't worry about all that. Just follow my lead, and you will be fine."

The door, however, was not locked. They went in and found a very tidy house. "Stay by my side, Mabel", Abra said to Mabel as she walked around. It sounded more like a warning for Mabel.

"Lucas, hello!", Abra started shouting all of a sudden.

"What are you doing?", Mabel asked, visibly scared and surprised.

"I am trying to call Lucas to know if he's around, but there's no need to fear; personally, I don't think anyone is around."

After what seemed like an endless journey around the house looking for some kind of lead, Abra found a gun in one of the kitchen drawers with a diary right under it. She looked back quietly and did not see Mabel behind her. She quickly slipped the diary and gun into her bag and moved out of the kitchen.

"Mabel! Mabel!"

Mabel rushed out of a room in a corner; apparently it was a bathroom. "Sorry, I was pressed. I had to use the bathroom."

"Let's go."

"Are you done searching? Did you find anything?"

"No. I think you need to report Lucas' missing to the police."

"What? You don't want to work on the case anymore?"

"I do. As a matter of fact, reporting to the police would help me, or is there something you are not telling me?"

"No, uh, I don't like getting involved with the police."

"Don't worry about it. You don't need to report to the police. I would just do my thing. I would like you to save my number in case you need my help anytime, so you can call me. I called you earlier, so you can save it."

"Thank you. I will", Mabel said, also paying $150 to Abra.

It was already evening by the time Abra had gone home and done her farm work.

She went to the room and decided to start reading the diary. She found it quite fascinating.

After about an hour, her stomach started to rumble, and immediately her phone rang. It was a strange number calling her. She felt alerted immediately, but when she heard the voice, she became calm.

"Hello, Abbie, or sorry, Abra. I'm Charles Barry. You met me today."

"Oh yeah, how are you?"

"I am fine, and you?"

"I'm okay."

"You have a very sweet voice."

"Thank you", Abra said, smiling. She was happy that he could not see her smile.

"You are welcome, pretty eyes. I was hoping you would be free tonight. I would love to take you on a date."

Abra's initial plan was to eat, bathe, and drive down to Parkson Hospital to see Zach. But going on a date with his handsome guy would not hurt, right? She knew if Zach found out, he would be very mad at her or very hurt and could do something very harsh, but at this point, she chose not to care about that. One date with Charles was not going to kill her.

"What time?"

"Would it be okay if I picked you up by 5:30?"

Abra checked her time; she has fifty minutes to prepare.

"Okay then."

"Where can I pick you up?"

"Millestone park." The park was just a two-minute walk away from her house.

"Okay, I will be there by 5:25, waiting for you, beautiful."

Abra smiled and ended the call, and immediately another call came up. It was Zach. At first, she ignored it, but then he called again.

"What is it, Zach? I don't want to talk to you", she said, trying to sound as angry as possible.

"I know you are still mad at me, Abra. But please, I really need your help right now. I'm in front of your door."