The Retirement Life of a Runaway Desperado

The follow-up to the crash took a month, and of course, it's far from over, and there's still a long recovery period for both those who died and those who were seriously injured.

Lynn's police work was back on track, and it was still a case of petty theft, or the cat climbing up a tree and not getting out.

In private life, her daughter was still having a hot time with another little girl, and he had to send that child back from time to time, or meet Arthur at the door to bring Chris back.

That person appeared frequently in his life—someone he thought he should be on guard against and kept as far away as possible.All his experience as a policeman had told him that, and it was absolutely true.

With such a clear awareness, it should be no problem to act, but it's just... not the same thing.

When October entered, a major case occurred in Oak Town. The whole town was in turmoil, and families with children were in danger.

The Morton family's youngest daughter is missing.

The child had just turned nine, and because the school was very close to the Mortons' house, she was late playing with friends and missed the school bus, and her parents were both busy, so she went home by herself after school in the afternoon.

A white Ford was seen pulling up next to her, which didn't look like a town car, and the little girl got in and then just disappeared.

When Lynn received the call, he had already left work and was eating dinner. He left the plate and hurried over. After that, he spent many days in the police station and did not return.

There is nothing more torturous than this kind of case, and there is nothing more difficult for a parent to face, especially when it happens to a child.While it does happen from time to time, it's just too horrible to explain.

Lynn knows how crazy some people can be in this world, and no place is safe, even in a quiet town like this, some horrible people will show up and destroy what you worked so hard to protect.And when he received the alarm and realized that the child was indeed missing, his first reaction was the same as that of most parents, that was his own child, Chris.

He left in a hurry at dinner, and now Chrissy was alone at home - Lynn called to make sure at once - and if little Morton was not found immediately, Chrissy would be alone at home tonight, too. Maybe including tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, he can't take care of her either.

Thinking of this, Lin En felt unbearable, he wanted to go back immediately, let his child stay by his side, and never leave his sight.

Several times, he didn't even hear his subordinates' reports clearly, just thinking that the criminal might still be in the town, and the targets of the crime were obviously girls aged seven or eight, and his little daughter was alone, unprotected , someone may hurt her at any time, making things irreparable.

He knows the horror of this world, he has seen too much.

He picked up his cell phone and called Arthur.

"Arthur's family, who are you looking for?" ' said Christine.

"I'm Lynn, can you put your dad on the phone, Christine?" Lynn said.

The girl responded, and she called her father on the phone. After a while, the receiver was picked up, and the calm and indifferent voice came from the opposite side, "Officer Lynn?" 』

In that moment, Lynn felt strangely at ease.I don't know if this is a kind of depravity, he has always only believed in himself, but now, he feels sincerely safe and trusting in the voice of a suspected criminal.

"Surely you know about the Morton kids," he said.

"I heard about it. ’ Arthur said, ‘Do you think they are outsiders? 』

"There is a possibility." Lynn said, "It's like this. I'm afraid I won't be able to go home for two days. Chris will stay by herself. The criminal may still be in the town..."

He paused for a moment. "Things are bad, Arthur, and I can't leave her alone."

"I'm going to pick her up now. ’ said the person opposite.Then he hung up the phone.

When Lynn called Chrissy to tell her that Arthur would pick her up for the night, the little girl tried to stay calm, but she was clearly ecstatic at the thought of being with Christine.Little children don't understand the painstaking efforts of being a parent.

Later, Arthur called and told him that Chris had been picked up and that the little girl was right in front of him.He said, 'She'll be safe. 』

Lynn put down the phone, suddenly realizing how scared he had been.There are so many scary things in this world.

But at that moment, he felt that his spirit was whole again, and he could use all his energy to deal with the case in front of him without worrying about a part of himself being torn apart again.

She's with Arthur.Neither at school, nor at Mrs. Geddle's house, nor in the countless locked doors, could give him such a sense of security.

But Arthur can.

Because he is great?Lynn thought, maybe it's just because he understands, understands the horror and danger of this world, and the madness at all costs to protect that little treasure.

In the next two days, Lynn was so busy that his feet never touched the ground. He collected clues from all parties and thought with trepidation that someone would report to the police at any time, saying that the child's body had been found in a secluded corner.

The police station's phone was buzzing. Everyone wanted to know if their children were safe. The school decided to suspend classes for a period of time. Parents were nervously watching their children and not letting them take a step out of sight.

Lynn worked overtime for several days in a row. According to the police's analysis, the child was in danger, but people still didn't want to give up hope.

At one point, Lynn could only go home and sleep for three or four hours a day. He tried his best to take time to see Chris. After exhausting work, he finally found some time at noon one day and knocked on the door of Arthur's house. .

Arthur opened the door, and the first reaction in Lynn's mind was: God, the smell of food is so delicious that it makes people dizzy.

Chrissy jumped out of the room and hugged him, Lynn hugged her, his nemesis turned sideways to let him in, Lynn saw his own shadow flashing across the glass, with messy black hair and beard Scum, like a drained ghost, but his eyes are so sharp that he wants to stab someone through at any time.

When he walked into the room, Arthur's family was about to eat, and the food on the table had just been laid out, rich and attractive, which reminded Lynn strongly that the last time he ate was at noon yesterday.

Arthur stared at him, and Christine stared at Arthur sternly.

The host slowly opened the chair and asked, "Since the timing is so coincidental, would you mind staying for a light meal, officer?"

Lynn knew that this was not good, but he really didn't have the courage to refuse. He put Chris down, coughed, and said, "That's trouble for you."

Arthur frowned, probably not expecting that he really agreed.Before he could say anything, Christine said cheerfully, "You're going to love my daddy's handiwork. We made goulash in red wine today, and he's really good at it. You know, he didn't even know what butter was before, but He really decided to learn it, very fast."

"Oh, that's really exciting." Lynn said, sitting down in the chair, the food on the table was so tempting that his eyes widened.He tried to maintain table manners, not to reach out and steal something.Arthur put the cutlery down before him grimly, evidently not very pleased with his meal.

Lynn said dryly, "Thank you."

Arthur said coldly, "You're welcome, I hope you like my cooking skills." As he spoke, he glared at Christine next to him, and his daughter looked back forcefully.

"Ugh, that looks tempting," Lynn said.

"Don't worry, because I didn't know you were coming, so I didn't poison you." Arthur said.

"Polites, Dad!" Christine said.

"I don't think Sergeant Lynn would mind a little thing like that," Arthur said. "He has a big heart."

Lynn laughed and said, "Even if it was poisonous, I think I'd swallow it whole."

"It's really Christmas."

"dad!"

At last Arthur had divided the dishes--in fact, there was still a large part of them--and Lynn set to work on what was on the plate.

Arthur gave him a strange look, but said nothing.

The food tasted so good, it was hard for Lynn to imagine that someone like Arthur could have such good cooking skills—he seemed like the type who would never get close to the kitchen, and he would direct the chef around and complain The meat is not tender enough, the dishes are not fresh enough.

Christine had mentioned a few times that not too long ago, Arthur was a complete idiot at cooking—possibly worse than himself, at least he could heat pizza in the microwave when he was six.

But for some people, you will learn things that you never thought you would touch before and become an expert.

The meal was so delicious that Lynn wished he could lick the plates clean. He couldn't remember the last time he had such delicious food.It's the kind of food you make when you're willing to take care of someone else, taking time and energy, and you're in no rush and willing to expend that effort.

He solved them in threes and fives, wondering a little guilty, Arthur obviously didn't consider doing his share, did he kill part of Arthur's share, the guy really didn't eat much.

After eating, Arthur cleared the table, and then went to the kitchen to wash the dishes. The two children were helping on the side, looking happy and warm at home.

Embarrassed, Lynn wanted to help with some work. He went to help Arthur put away the washed dishes. Arthur was doing the dishes cleanly and efficiently. He stared at his hands and wondered what the hell was going on. For a man like him to undergo such a big change, why is he willing to stay here and wash the dishes?

He was so absorbed in his thoughts that when Arthur handed him the plate, his hand slipped and the plate fell, and Arthur caught it with his backhand.

The movement is extremely fast and the hands are extremely stable, requiring first-class reflexes.Arthur moved the plate a yard and said to Lynn, "I think it's time for you to get back to work, officer."

Lynn raised his hand in a gesture of surrender. "I also think it would be more harmonious for me to go back to work," he said.

Arthur waved his hand, wishing he'd left sooner, while continuing to wash the dishes.

He must have wanted to be as far away from his house as possible, Lynn thought, any proximity would be of no use to a secret.It's as if I have always decided to keep a distance from people like Arthur, and people who want to protect secrets at all costs are always too dangerous.

But he took one last look at Arthur as he left, who was quietly washing the dishes while the two children ran up and down, smiling broadly.Everything exists just to live in peace.

He clearly knew that he was a man with disaster and darkness, but he really had no way to connect this person, this scene, with any dangerous or frightening images.

The Morton children were never found.

In the month since then, no children in the town have disappeared. Obviously, the murderer has left the town, and many parents are relieved.But the missing girl is always like a fishbone, stuck in the throats of everyone in the town, this is the kind of thorn that can choke people forever in this life.

And the child's family was fragmented and completely destroyed.

But some other life still had to go on. As soon as the overtime hours were stabilized, Lynn went to Arthur's house to bring Chris back, and under the order of his daughter, Arthur reluctantly bought him a cup of tea.

The tea was carefully brewed, but the atmosphere was stiff. Lynn drank the contents of the cup in one gulp, and Arthur tried his best not to show contempt."How's the situation?" he asked.

"We think it was done by some criminal passing by," Lynn said. "He left town that night, and now he's in nowhere in the world."

"Passing by by chance, just find a little girl for entertainment, and then throw it away." Arthur said coldly.

"Yes." Lynn said.He threw the glass back on the table, and the china clattered and squealed.

Arthur was silent, and the light shone from behind, making the atmosphere heavy.

"Just a casual game to pass the time," Arthur said.

Lynn leaned heavily on the sofa, pressed the center of his brows, and said, "Sometimes I still think about Emma and this case, there is no safe place in this world, it's too bad, no matter where you go, how do you do it!"

Arthur didn't speak for a while, then he picked up the teapot, poured Lynn a cup of tea slowly, and said, "Tea slowly."

Lynn sat on the sofa in frustration for a while, sat up, picked up the cup of tea, and when he sipped it slowly, it didn't taste bad.The beauty of tasting this kind of thing seems to be on a more subtle level, it takes some effort, it has no intuitive stimulation.

They drank tea in silence for a while, very quiet, only the sound of Arthur pouring tea into the cup.This is a living habit he brought from another world, and here he still appears calm and stable.

Lynn is not a person who is good at expressing himself. He always hides those terrible things in his heart. The darkness cannot see the light, because it is too bad. If he speaks out, it seems to turn into a hysterical scream. I feel better.But here, he wanted to say something.

He spoke, his voice muffled and angry.

"I can't find the bastard!" he said.

"He was a guy passing by, driving a car, and after an hour he didn't know where he was," Arthur said.

"I did everything in my power, I can't find that bastard!" Lynn yelled, "I can't find that child, God, she's only nine years old!"

Arthur slowly poured tea into his empty cup.

"In this world, crime doesn't just get punished, and virtue doesn't get rewarded," Arthur said. "It's a very dangerous and terrible place, it's too bad to be true. I did everything in my power to want Keep my daughter safe, but there's really no safe place in the world, Lynn, there's no such place in the world."

He stared at the tea in his cup and whispered, "We don't have a place like this."

He poured himself another tea and said, "The kids are playing upstairs, discussing a paper on whales, and don't want to part for now. We can finish this pot of tea and wait for them."

Lynn smiled and slowly drank the tea in the cup.It seems interesting to do such delicate things once in a while.

It had been almost an hour since they had finished the pot of tea, and Lynn couldn't believe that he and Arthur had been alone for so long, sipping tea!

What's more, it feels good.

He led Chris away, and when they arrived at the door, the two girls were still saying goodbye—it was a bit jealous, and I was so worried that Chris was so happy to stay at Arthur's house that she seemed to be leaving Disneyland when she returned home Just as sad - Lynn shook Arthur's hand solemnly.

"Thank you for taking care of me all the time," he said.

"You're welcome," Arthur said.

The two fathers looked at each other for a while, Lynn thought, of course we should all be relieved.Because they can finally leave the life that was too close to each other before and keep their distance.It was absolutely beneficial and harmless for the pair to travel thousands of miles to Oaktown to pursue a life.

On the way back, Lynn said this to himself, and he knew in his heart that it was impossible.

Morton, by the way, was found on the other side of the country two years later, and she still remembers her name and address, but she can't explain the period of her disappearance.The point is, Lynn thought, it's unbelievable that she survived that unsurvivable disaster.

The local police are cautiously trying to trigger some of her memories, hoping to catch the murderer, and it is said that they have some clues.

But that's all for the future.

Lynn felt right about Arthur, always felt right, whether it was when he was in the Homicide Unit, or when he saw Arthur for the first time-the man was handsome then, but in his bones The smell of darkness and secrecy still appealed to his police instincts.

His and Arthur's lives had indeed grown closer after that.

It was an ordinary afternoon—many such ordinary afternoons—he went to Arthur’s house to pick up Chris. The two children were doing their homework in the living room. Seeing Lynn coming, Chris greeted cheerfully, "Wait a minute, Dad, the homework is due on Monday, and I'm almost done."

——Sometimes Lynn wonders if the children can feel something, and now Chrissy takes it for granted when she hangs out with her good friends.Life quietly returned to the moment before his long conversation with her.

And... a step further.

Arthur was boiling water when he came in and said, "I'm making tea, would you like to sit down and have a drink?"

"Okay," Lynn said, sitting down on the sofa while Arthur made tea in the kitchen.

"Two more biscuits, Daddy," Christine yelled, smiling brightly at Lynn. "You'd love chocolate chip biscuits, Uncle Lynn, and Daddy makes good tea, too, right?"

"Yeah, that's great," Lynn said.The girl's smile was so bright that he couldn't tell why, and he was a little nervous.

"You should come to drink tea often. I heard from Chris that you don't know how to cook. My dad is very good at baking." Christine said.

"That's really..." Lynn said, "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome," Christine said, "Chris is like my sister, you are like my father, you are part of our family."

"What are you talking about, Christine," said Arthur, serving the tea.

"I want to make Officer Lynn feel at home," Christine said.

"I don't think he needs that, especially in our house," Arthur said, glancing at Lynn. "He needs a new shirt more."

Lynn glanced at his shirt, it was indeed a little wrinkled. "I like this shirt," he said.

"I hate it," Arthur said.

"I'm sorry, Officer Lynn," said Christine, "I wish he had learned basic manners when he learned how to cook."

"It's okay, your father's words are simple and rough, I like it very much." Lynn said.

"Oh, as long as you like it, then I have nothing to say." Christine said.

Lynn felt that the conversation was a bit weird, but he couldn't tell what was wrong. Arthur prepared snacks, and the two little girls cheered and rushed over to finish the afternoon tea, but they were so close that the two fathers couldn't get in a word .

Lynn took a bite of the biscuit, shocked at how delicious it was.

"You made this?" he said. "My God, it tastes so good, and you are so professional!"

"Really?" said Arthur suspiciously. "I don't know. I hate sweets, but Christine likes them. Her mother used to make them for her."

He looked critical and didn't touch the biscuits.

Lynn was almost in awe of him.

He remembered hearing people in the town talk about Arthur's wife occasionally. The information about his past was very vague. He only knew that her name was Hilda. She died of a sudden heart attack, and Arthur left his original life after that. He came here to settle down in the city. It is said that he wanted to change his mood so that he would not feel sad when he thought of his wife.

In the chitchat of the returnees, she is an elegant and knowledgeable woman, but that is probably because it is difficult for everyone to imagine what kind of woman can be matched with Arthur, and since she has passed away helplessly, so add some The praise is not too much.

Lynn thought she was probably pretty good, and would bake the children her favorite treats, and according to Christine, she and Arthur had a pretty good relationship—she said she wouldn't even dare a female mosquito to come near him when she was around .

Lynn didn't know what the hell was going on with her - was it a heart attack? ——and what kind of past Arthur has, but he knows that now that she is gone, he has really taken on everything in life.

"I know it's hard for people who don't like sweets to understand the benefits of sweets," he said to Arthur, "but you make the best cookies I've ever had."

Arthur looked at him and smiled, of course he smiled reservedly, but Lynn thought he was overjoyed.

"It took me a lot of work and a lot of research," said Arthur.

"You're a genius at making dim sum," Lynn said.

"You can take some away if you like," Arthur said, "I'll do it again tomorrow anyway."

In this way, when Lynn left, he took a bag of pastries baked by Arthur himself, and he and Chris finished half of them along the way. This thing is definitely beyond the professional level.

No wonder she liked going to Arthur's house so much, Lynn thought, there was everything there to eat, drink and have fun.

"I think this cookie is way better than the rest of the town," Lynn said, "Christine says Arthur's chocolate pie isn't as good as some of the 'sugar mummy' pies in town? Best I've ever had."

"Oh, Christine said he's been working hard ever since. He doesn't really give in," Chrissy said. "Well, actually, according to her, Mr. Arthur seems very, very boring, and he's got a shelf of cookbooks. . . "

Lynn glanced at her and said, "Isn't he doing some medical research at home?"

"Yes, but he is still very boring." Chris said, "Christine said that he used to have a rich life, and staying in a small town was the biggest test for a talent like him. He did a lot of things to Against those... Dad, are you really not going back to the place where you used to work? This is completely different from your previous life."

"Do you like it here, Chris?" Lynn said.

Chris nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling.

"Daddy's not going anywhere, Chrissy," Lynn said, "I think I like this place, too."