Mystery Match - Chapter 5

The search for Daniel proved to be difficult, as his last known address had been many years ago. They eventually tracked him down through some old hospital records, and found that he had since moved to another state. Determined to uncover the truth, Emma and Tom decided to take a road trip to find him.

The drive across the country was long and arduous, but they eventually arrived at Daniel's new home. It was a modest house in a quiet suburban neighborhood. Tom knocked on the door, his heart pounding with nervous anticipation. After what seemed like an eternity, an elderly man answered the door. His face was lined with wrinkles, and his hair had gone gray. But there was still a spark of recognition in his eyes when he saw them.

"Daniel?" Emma asked tentatively.

The man hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes, that's right. You must be...Emma and Tom, is that correct?" There was a note of sadness in his voice as he spoke their names. He stepped aside, motioning for them to enter his home.

As they sat down in his living room, Emma and Tom told Daniel about their investigation into Sarah's death and their suspicions about the abuse she suffered at the hands of her family. Daniel listened intently, his expression growing more somber with each passing moment. When they had finished, he sighed heavily and ran a hand through his hair.

"I always suspected something like that," he confessed. "But I never knew for sure. Sarah was so fragile, so vulnerable...I just wanted to protect her." He paused, lost in thought for a moment before continuing. "I'm sorry, but I don't know of anyone who would have wanted her dead. Everyone loved Sarah, even if they didn't always understand her."

Emma and Tom exchanged glances once more, their expressions a mix of understanding and frustration. "We appreciate your honesty, Daniel," Tom said gently. "But we can't help but feel like there's something we're missing. Sarah's family had access to resources and connections that could have helped her. Instead, they seemed determined to push her further and further away."

The old man sighed heavily; his eyes cast down at his hands folded in his lap. "You're right," he admitted. "They were a cruel and selfish bunch. They didn't care about anyone but themselves. But even I never suspected they would go as far as...as this." He paused, struggling to find the words. "I wish I could give you something more, anything that could help bring them to justice. But as it stands, it's all just speculation."

The room fell silent for a moment, as the weight of their conversation hung heavy in the air. Emma glanced out the window, watching the leaves rustle in the breeze. She could feel the urge to press further, to demand answers, but she knew that Daniel was right. Without concrete evidence, they could only speculate.

Eventually, Tom broke the silence. "We appreciate your time, Daniel. If you think of anything else, anything at all, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to help in any way we can." Daniel nodded solemnly, his eyes filled with sadness and regret. As they stood to leave, he walked them to the door and shook their hands, his grip firm and reassuring.