Chapter Nine: The Forgotten Child

*Message from a no caller ID*

The message stood "Have you given up Michaelson? One day off, one more body to discover. See you soon Danny".

When the kids finally fell asleep, I went downstairs, and my husband had fallen asleep on the couch, so I tucked him in and went up to our cbedroom. "Have you given up Michaelson? One day off, one more body to discover. See you soon Danny." It plays in my mind like a record. Is this Hobbs? if so, Why would he have sent that? Why did he vall me Danny? And why see you soon? Does he know that I am going to catch him? Does he know wxactly how many bodies it will take me to catch up to him? I did not get any sleep that night at all. The kids ran in our room and tossed themselves over me. We ate breakfast and I was driving them to school.

My phone called and I had it on Bluetooth because I was driving. Hey Dylan. 10-12 (visitors are present), have my kids in the back. I said. Copy that, we've a 10-45D (dead body) at 1074 E 37th St Flatlands, Brooklyn, NY. Code 2 (hurry with light and sirense). He said. 10-4 (message received/understood). I said and turned on the light and started driving a little bit faster so I would not scare the kids. Dylan do you copy? I asked. Go ahead. He said. I'm there in T minus 15 minutes. I said. Copy that. He said.

When I got there some officers had arrived at the scene. I walked in, and they had covered a body. Officer Smith, may I see the body? I asked. Yes sir. He said and opened the bodybag. It is another kid; she is around the age of 10. She has blond hair and some blood had gotton on it, it is also blood on her shirt. I took on some gloves and I lifted her shirt. There is a message carved into her stomach. "Maybe you will pay attention to your forgotten child now too". Possible murder weapon is a butter knife. The butter knife is in the girls hand. Smith who found her? I asked. "The mom, she is in the other room." He said and pointed. Hey mam. Is it you that called about the body? I asked. Yes, it was me. She is my daughter! Her name is Lydia Dustin. Why would anyone want to hurt my sweet baby! She's just 10. Please officer you need to help us. She didn't deserve this. She said. I don't know why they would hurt her. But the message that was on her stomach, "maybe you will pay attention to your forgotton child now too". What do you think that means? Maybe your oyher daughter got less attention? I asked. Who the hell are you to tell me how I raise my kids? Do you think you would be a better father then I would be a mother? Shame on you officer. I want you out of my house, and get the hell out of my property! And don't come near me or my family again. She yelled at me. You are right mam. I wouldn't know how you raised them, nor did I assume how you did; it was just a question. And no, I'm probably not a great dad nor a good husband, I would do anything for them, and I would never treat them differently. I said and left. Officer Smith, interrogate her. I'm waiting in the car. She doesn't want me here. Ask about ig the kids have friends, and if she's being loved by everyone. Other details I'm not interested in, just get the most out of these two okay? And ask about their other daughter. I said. Copy that Michaelson. He said and left.

While I was witing in my car, I thought about the message William sent me. "Have you given up Michaelson? One day off, one more body to discover, I will see you soon Danny". And I started to think about my kids, what if I lost them? What if he went after them? How did he know I was off work? Why would he text me? Why would he call me Danny? Who is he? Does he know me? Do I know him? When will he stop killing? Will he ever stop the killing? How many more bodies does it take for me to find him? It is like he is playing games with me. It feels like I am one step ahead and then he just calls about another body and I am ten steps back. Wonder what he wants. Why would.. My thoughts got gone because I almost got an heart attack, because officer Smith just banged on my car window. Michaelson get this. The girl is popular, and everybpdy loves her. She is very happy, and she is smart. She won every spelling bee; however, she has a twin sister. Her name is Anna. She's at her grandmas place over at 70 Millstone St, Heartland Village, Staten Island, NY, 10314. It might be smart to ask Anna and her grandparents of how got treated 'cause of the message. He said. Yes, I'll head out there now and ask them. Thanks for the help Robin. I said and rolled up my window and drove off.

When I got there, I knocked on the door and the maid came and opened. Hey mam. I'm officer Daniel Michaelson and I was wondering if I could speak to the owner og this place. I said and showed my badge. Yes officer. You can just come in and wait in the hallway. The maid said. Okay, but I would like to speak with Anna too, and both of her grandparents. I said when she came back. You can just follow me sir. She said and walked to the living room. Hey, I'm officer Michaelson. I would like to talk to Anna first then you two, if that is okay? It's just a few questions, she won't have to answer them all, and I would like for you two to not disturb and let her finish andwering what she wants, okay? I asked the grandparents That is just fine officer. The grandma said. Hey Anna. My name is Daniel. It's nice to meet you. I said. Nice to meet you too officer. Anna said. I am going to ask you some questions if that is okay? You don't have to answer them. I said. Copy that. Anna said and gave a smile. So, do you miss your sister? I asked. Yes. Anna said and looked down. Is your sister nice? I asked. Yes. She said. What do you guys do together? I asked. We play cards, dress up, board games, and color together. Anna said. Does your parents play with you two? I asked. Sometimes, they were mostly in the room. She said and looked down. Do you love your sister? I asked. Yes I did, everyone did. Sometimes I felt like a shadow cause my sister is good at everything. She said and looked a bit sad. Did you feel like tou were less loved than her by everyone? I asked. No, not everyone. My friends always chose me before her. Teahcers treated everyone the same. She said. What about your mom and dad? I asked. They loved her more. It was pretty out there. She got a lot for Christmas or birthdays. I just got 5$ and my name was missing from the cake. She said while her eyes got watery. I'm so sorry to hear that Anna. I said and gave her a little smile. It's okay, I'm used to it. I dont think things will be better now. She said. Well, my name is Daniel Michaelson; I work on the 103rd precinct. Here is my card. If it gets bad or worse, you can tell me, I will help. I promise you that Anna. I said and gave her my card. Thanks officer. She said and hugged me. You are welcome Anna. I'm going to talk with your grandparants now okay. I said. Yes. She said and went to her room. Thanks for letting me talk to her. I said to the grandma. No worries, I made some coffee to you. But I just got a call from my daughter. She said. That's okay. I will leave. I know she doesn't want me to talk to her kid. I will leave now. I said. Okay, but if you want. We can keep this between us for a while. And I can answer some questions if you want officer. The grandma said. Oh yes, that would be nice. Was Anna treated more poorly than Lydia? I asked. Yes, she was. We alway celebrated Christmas and birthdays with them. We gave them the same thing, we did not want to make anything unfair. I know they were hard on Anna. But I am sure they were harder on Lydia. They did not show it too much though, but Anna got yelled at by her parents all the time. The grandma said. Well thank you mam. I appreciate the honesty. I wish you, your husband and Anna very well. I said and left out.

I went back to the precinct and I added this to the files under William Hobbs file and I signed out form the precinct. Off duty at home as we call it. That is the thing of being a cop or a detective. You are always on work.