Chapter 25 Chapter Twenty-Three

Ben was out shopping for dinner, so I called Sadie on the spur of the moment. hi, i say.Guess who I am? Abby?God, Abby, where have you been?Do you know that I want to find you but I don't even have to call?I was at Sam's last night; he was having a birthday party and we all said it was weird you weren't there and we raised our glasses to wish you well.Anyway, for those who didn’t attend, we all raised our glasses to bless you, mainly for you.But no one knows how to contact you, as if you just disappeared from the world. I know, I know, I'm so sorry.I miss you guys, but uh I can't explain it yet.I should remember his birthday, I've never forgotten it before.But the situation was, uh, dramatic.

Are you okay? Yes, it can be good or it can be bad. Mysterious.When can I meet with you?where do you live now A friend's house, I said vaguely.We can meet up soon.I have to sort things out first, you know.What I'm really trying to say is this: I've got to keep myself alive.But that sounds like insane gibberish, and it's absurd to even think about it, especially since I'm in Ben's house with the lights on, the furnace humming, and the kitchen The sound of the bowl machine. Okay, but look, Abby, I talked to Terry. Right?How is he?Did the police release him? Yes, finally.But I think they should keep him in custody for as long as the law allows.

Thank goodness.Is he out of his mind? Needless to say.He has been trying to get in touch with you. I'll call him, right away.But is he still involved, or what? I have no idea.When I talked to him, he was not very rational, I think he was a little angry. Sadie, I have to hang up.I'll call Terry right away, and I'll see you soon, soon. OK. How is Piba? Excellent. Then I know.You too, Sadie. What? Awesome, you are awesome.I am so lucky to have friends like you and tell everyone I love them. Abby? Tell every friend, tell Sheela and Guy and Sam and Lobing and anyway, everyone.When you meet them, tell them I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror over the fireplace and I gesticulated like an opera singer.Anyway, you know.At least, convey your love for me.

Are you sure you're okay? The whole thing is weird, Sadie. listen I have to hang up, I'll call you again. I'm calling Terry.The phone rang for a long time, and when I was about to give up, he answered. Hello.He sounded slightly lisp. Terry?It's me, Abby. Abby, he said.Oh, Abby. They set you free. Abby.He said it again. What a pity, Terry.I told them it wouldn't be you.Did your father tell you that I called him.I'm sorry about what happened to Sally too, I can't describe how sorry I am. Sally, he said.They think I killed Sally. I know. please.He said. What?How can I help?

I have to see you.Please, Abby. Well, I'm afraid it's not very convenient now.I can't go to his place and the man will probably wait for me there. The front door opened and Ben walked in, carrying two shopping bags. I'll get in touch with you again, I said.Just a few more minutes, don't go away.I put the microphone down, turned to Ben and said: I have to find Terry.He sounds like he's in a bad situation and it's all because of me, I'm sorry for him. He sighed and put the bag on the ground.I'm so wishful thinking, and I plan to have a romantic dinner for two.fool.

I have to go, don't I?you understand? where? what where? Where are you going to meet him? Not at his place, I'm sure of that. Indeed not.here? That's too weird. Strange?Well, it's okay if it feels weird, right? Maybe it would be better in a cafe or something.Not at the bar. He sounded like he had had enough.Can you recommend any good places near here? There's a place on Belmont Avenue, in the park at the end of the road.What is the restaurant called. class? how? will you go with me I'll drive you there and stand by in the car outside. class? Please, Abby.

Grateful. Hearing your words, I feel that this trip is worthwhile, he said with a blank face. Forty-five minutes later I was sitting in the restaurant (that's what it's called), drinking a cappuccino and looking at the door.Terry arrived ten minutes later, wrapped tightly in an old overcoat and fur hat.His steps faltered a bit, and his expression was a little dazed. He walked over to my table and sat down heavily.He took off his hat, his hair was a little greasy, maybe it was too cold or too much to drink, and his cheeks were flushed, showing haggardness that he had never seen before.

Hello, Terry.I said, putting my hands on his. Your hair is growing back. Yeah? Oh my God.He closed his eyes and sat back in his chair.Oh my God, I'm so tired.I can sleep for a hundred hours. Want me to help you with something? coffee. I motioned to the waiter.A double espresso, please, and a cappuccino. Terry took out his cigarette case and shook out one.His hands trembled.After he lit the cigarette, he took a deep breath, and his cheeks looked more sunken. I told the police it wasn't you, Terry.I can also talk to your lawyer if you feel the need.It was all a misunderstanding.

They've been making a fuss about my violent tendencies.The waiter brought coffee to our table, but he ignored it.As if my head was full of blood.I will never hurt you.They talk like I'm a vicious bastard, they say I'm driving you crazy Will they still be like this now? And Sally Sally, oh shit. Terry, don't do this. He started to cry, big tears rolling down his cheeks and sliding into his mouth.He tried to pick up his coffee mug but his hands shook so much that he spilled coffee all over the table. I don't know what's wrong, he said, wiping the coffee stains on the table carelessly with a napkin.Everything was normal at first, and then it was like falling into hell.I kept thinking I would wake up and it would be a nightmare and you would still be there, or Sally would still be there.Anyway, someone is there, someone will be there.No, you're here and Sally is dead, and the police still think I did it, and I know they do.

The point is they sent you back, I said.You didn't do it, and they can't say yes.You are fine now. But he ignored it.I'm so lonely, he said.why me? I felt a moment of indignation at his self-pity.Or why Sally?I said. The next morning, Duan called Zou's parents. They had returned from vacation and I could hear her mother's voice.No, they hadn't seen Zou before the vacation, she wasn't traveling with them.And, yes, they were happy to meet Ben if he was around, and of course it didn't matter if he brought friends along.Ben's face was tense, and the corners of his mouth curled down as if he had eaten something sour.He said we would be there at eleven.

We drove in silence through North London to their house in Hartfordshire.At this time, the fog is thick and the humidity is heavy, we can only see the trees and houses along the road looming in front of us.They lived on the outskirts of a village, in low white houses at the end of a gravel driveway. Ben stopped in the driveway for a few seconds.I feel terrible.He said angrily, as if it was my fault.Then he drove on. Zou's mother was Pam, a strong woman with a strong handshake.But Zou's father was skinny and wrinkled. He looked decades older than his wife. When I shook hands with him, it was as if I were squeezing a handful of bones.We sat in the kitchen and Pam poured us tea and brought out some biscuits.Tell me, Ben, how's it going?Zou has not brought you to see us for a long time. I'm here for a reason.He said it bluntly. She puts down her mug and looks at him.Zou?she says. Yes.I worry about her. What's up with her? We don't know where she is.She is missing.Don't you have any news from her? No, she whispered.Then I said more loudly: But you know she is like this, she always runs around and doesn't say hello to us.She would go away for weeks without contact. I know.But Abby lived with her, and Zou just disappeared one day. Missing.she repeated. Don't you know where she might go? villa?As she spoke, she also showed her face because of the hope that sprouted.She lives there sometimes. We have been. Or her boyfriend? No. I don't understand, Zou's father said.How long has she been missing? From about January sixteenth, I say.We guess so. What's the date today?February 6th?It's been three weeks! Pam stood up.She looked down at us and said: But we must start looking!Do it now! I'm going to call the police now, said Ben, standing up too.We'll go as soon as we get out of here.We've raised it with the police er, Abby did anyway, but they didn't take it seriously for the first week or so.Unless it's a kid. what do I do?I can't just sit here.I will call every family and friend.There should be an easy explanation.Who did you talk to? It might have been a false alarm, Ben said resignedly.She's probably fine.There are always people who disappear for a while and then reappear. Yes.Of course, Pam said.Of course that is true.The point is not to panic. We're going to call the police right now, Ben said.I'll call you guys later, okay?He put his hands on Pam's shoulders and kissed her on both cheeks, and she hugged him once and let go.Zou's father is still sitting at the dining table.I look at his wrinkled skin, the age spots on his fragile hands. goodbye.I said.I don't know what else to say, I'm speechless. Ben, this is Jack.Inspector Cross.This is Ben.Brody.He is Zou Sefen.Amber friend, I mentioned it to you last time I know.I've been to her place, remember?You tell me you wear her clothes and you tell me her name is Lorraine. I'm glad you got Terry back, I said.Now that you know he is innocent, you must have realized that the real killer is still on the loose, and that maybe Zou I can't comment on that.Cross said cautiously. Should we start by telling Detective Cross what we already know for sure, Abby? Cross looked at him slightly surprised.Maybe he thinks everyone involved with me is crazy.Near ink is black. Of course, I had told him many of these things before, but what I had said before sounded like only further confirmation of my paranoia.Not by me, it sounds more believable. We started everything from the beginning and said it several times.Very professional, like filling out a complicated tax refund application form.I wrote down the time and date of the week I deduced that Zou and I disappeared; I also produced a photo of Zou; Ben gave her parents' and her ex-boyfriend's phone numbers and told him about the companies she used to work with . What do you think?I asked. I'll take that into consideration, Cross replied.but i don't The point is that I stopped and looked at Ben before I continued.The point is, I'm afraid that if I guess right, Zou and I were taken by the same guy, then, uh, she's probably, she's very likely, you know the word I can't say it, Ben sits next to me I can't tell.I can't even remember ever knowing Zou, but he and she have known each other for most of my life. Koros's expression kept changing.When he and I first met, he didn't hesitate to believe my story that I was a victim.Then he was convinced that he shouldn't believe me at all, and I became the victim of my own hallucinations, an object of pity.Now he is indecisive. We will proceed step by step, he said.We will contact Miss Amber's parents.where will you live live with me.Ben said. Cross looked at him for a few seconds, then nodded.All right, he said, standing up.Keep in touch. He's starting to trust me, right? Ben took my hand and twirled the ring on my little finger.Are you talking about you or about Zou? Is there any difference? I have no idea.He said. I'm sorry about what happened to Zou, Ben.I'm really, really sorry.I don't know how to express it. Pity?He said.I still hope the phone will ring and it will be her. It would be nice if that was the case.I said. He poured us some more wine.Do you remember the days when you were imprisoned? Sometimes it feels like it's just a horrible nightmare, and then I even think maybe I'm actually dreaming.But other times it's usually at night, or when I'm alone and I'm in shock and I think about it and it's like I'm there again, like I'm really in it again and I never got out, and I'm looking at the lights The kitchen, the dinner plate, the wine glasses on the table, etc. are all a dream.What I remember and what I imagine and what I fear are all mixed together.You know what I think sometimes when I wake up in the morning and everything seems eerie and bleak?I'm thinking I'm on a wheel that keeps turning round and round, and I've done these things before because I kind of keep repeating the same mistakes, don't I?I'm looking for Zou, falling in love with you?And I'm going to disappear again, into the darkness. This thing will be over soon. do you really think so Yes.The police will take care of it and, man, they've got to get this over with this time.You just stay calm these few days and stay with me here, and then that nightmare will pass away, I'm sure.You will be off your wheels.