âI might as well not go back, Dad. I wonât see him.â
âNo, the officers from the local police station are waiting for you at home!â
âWhat?â Emmeline was stumped. âThe police? Why are they waiting for me?â
âThey said something about conducting an investigation. Anyway, come back as soon as possible.â
Maxwell hung up the phone.
âWhatâs up? Something about the officers from the local police station?â Abel asked, simultaneously.
turning the car around and increasing the speed.
âThatâs what my dad said. Itâs strange, though. Why would the police be looking for me?â
âYou havenât done anything wrong, have you?â Abel teased her, noticing her nervous expression.
âI have, Emmeline replied.
âWhat?â Abel was startled. âWhat did you do?â
âI cursed you in my heart a hundred times!â
âOh, so the officers are here to seek justice for me,â Abel said solemnly.
Emmeline burst into laughter.
When they returned home, two young police officers were sitting on the couch.
âAre you Emmeline?â
âYes,â
âWeâre from the Altney Police Substation. Here are our credentials.â They both showed their police badges.
âIs there something I can help with?â
âPlease have a seat. We need to ask you a few questions, and you should answer truthfully.â
âAll right.â
âYou are Emmeline Louise, a third-grade language teacher at Altney Elementary School, correct?â
âYes, why are you asking this?â
âYou just need to answer yes or no.â
Emmeline grew annoyed and glanced at Abel.
âEmma, this is the standard procedure for taking statements. Stay calm and answer their questions.â
Abel stood behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders, comforting her.
âYes,â Emmeline reiterated, feeling reassured by Abelâs warm hand on her shoulder.
âDo you know Ysabel Hemmings?â
âOur homeroom teacher, Ysabel?â
âYes.â
âI know her.â
âWhen was the last time you saw her?â
âUm⦠about three or four days before the vacation, I need to check. Iâm not exactly sure.â
âCarefully calculate the time and pinpoint the exact day.â
Emmeline thought for a moment. âJune 24th.â
âBefore the last time you saw her, did anything happen? Any specific incidents?â
âBefore that, she had a fight with the wife of the administration head, and the wife ended up hitting her.
Later, she worked for two more days and then took a long leave. I havenât seen her since. What happened to her?â
âBesides the situation you just mentioned, do you know of any other circumstances or personal information about Ysabel Hemmings?â
Emmeline had a sudden realization. âShe was a victim of domestic violence!â
âPlease elaborate.â
âShe had injuries on her body. She said her husband had beaten her. Also, she mentioned that she wanted. a divorce, and she wanted to be withâ¦â Emmeline hesitated, âYou can go ahead and say it. We will be conducting interviews with relevant and irrelevant personnel from your school, and the content of your conversation will be kept confidential.â
âShe wanted to marry Mr. Joseph Sayer.â Emmeline continued, âBut what happened to Ysabel?â
âSheâs missing.â
âSheâs missing? Are you sure she has gone missing and not on a trip or⦠cloped?â
The officer ignored her question and pressed on, âWhen you last saw her, did she exhibit any unusual.
behavior?â
Emmeline thought hard. âThat afternoon, after the students had left, I saw her coming down from the academic building through my office window. She seemed to have been crying. She didnât come to the office and walked straight toward the school gate. There happened to be a school-construction vehicle entering the playground, blocking my view, and I never saw her again.â
âAlright, are the statements you made today accurate?â
âYes, they are.â
Is there anything else youâd like to add?â
Emmeline thought for a moment and shook her head. âNo.â
She had only been at the elementary school for a few months, and although she shared an office with Ysabel, they didnât communicate much. She couldnât help but wonder why Ysabel had disappeared.
Emmeline quickly speculated, Did Ysabelâs husband discover her affair and kill her? Or could Joseph have eliminated her to protect himself?
Emmeline shuddered at her own frightening thoughts.