Chapter 87
Stanley and Larry quickly brought both the people and the car over.
At first, the security guard thought they were joking, but when he saw the kid getting out, his eyes widened in sheer disbelief. He had no idea the security system inside had been hacked to bits.
Janet cried out, “Quinton, my baby!”
Quinton got of the car and launched at Janet. “Mommy!”
As soon as Janet and Quinton reunited, they hugged each other tightly, drawing curious glances from the crowd. Some recognized Janet as the woman who had lost her child earlier and were amazed at their luck in finding the kid again.
“We really got lucky; a moment later and they would’ve left town,” Larry said, casually glancing around at the crowd. “Thank goodness our little one was smart enough to find them. Next time, if everyone pretends not to see, don’t be surprised when no one helps you find your lost kid.”
His words made many people too embarrassed to lift their heads.
Quinlyn held their hands on either side and asked, “Stanley, Larry, are you guys here to have fun too?”
Stanley and Larry exchanged looks, thinking, ‘We’re not here for fun; we’re here to secure our status by getting you back. Then they bent forward with bright smiles. “Yes, but it’s been so long since we last came. Are there any fun activities you recommend, Quinlyn?”
Quinlyn’s eyes lit up, and she turned to point at the carousel behind her, saying sincerely, “That one’s really fun.”
Both of them were stunned.
Soon, Quinton came over holding Janet’s hand to express his gratitude. “Thank you so much,” he said. He was about Quinlyn’s age, tall and skinny, with handsome features like Janet’s, though his face bore a maturity that didn’t match his age.
Janet, half–understanding, awkwardly smiled at Quinlyn and showed her nails to her son. “Quinton, you helped me with
these, I didn’t mess them up. Do they look nice?”
Quinton looked down at them, his eyes starting to tear up. “They look great.”
“Next time we go out to have fun, I will dress even prettier, alright?” Janet wiggled her fingers, the red cartoon stickers shining in the sunlight.
Stanley paused briefly, setting aside his playful mood, and said to Quinlyn, “You saved her, so I think you have the right to know the truth.”
Quinlyn tilted her head to look at him in puzzlement.
Stanley motioned for everyone to head outside, and when they got to the old van, he yanked open the rear door, revealing a man tied up tightly on the seat with his mouth gagged.
Stanley said, “This is the child’s father. He willingly sold his own kid.”
Quinlyn was momentarily stunned, and then stepped forward and ripped the tape off the man’s mouth, asking, “Why did you sell him? Isn’t he your own kid?”
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“It’s none of your damn business!” The man, Tommy Suarez, now able to breathe freely, started cursing loudly.
Quinlyn had encountered many lawbreakers and dangerous criminals, but never a father wanting to sell his child, which left her puzzled. She asked Joseph next to her, “He has no right to do that, right?”
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Joseph kept a serious expression as he enveloped her slightly chilly hand and firmly shook his head. “Don’t listen to his nonsense. You are doing the right thing. Just take him straight to the police station”
With that, he ignored Tommy’s babbling, slammed the car door shut with a bang, and as he turned around, gave Stanley a
cold stare.
Stanley felt quite wronged in the situation.
Since they needed to file a report, they took Janet and Quinton to the police station. Joseph originally didn’t want Quinlyn to go. “I’ll take you to ride the Ferris wheel instead; it’s way more fun than the merry–go–round, he suggested.
But Quinlyn shook her head and said, “I want to go and see.”
Stanley was still goofing around, urging them on, while Larry noticed something strange. “How about I take you out to sea for a boat ride? You haven’t seen the ocean while you were at the borderlands, have you?” he suggested.
Quinlyn hadn’t seen the ocean and definitely wanted to go, but right now all she wanted was to get to the police station.
The two couldn’t change her mind, so they all got in the car together.
They arrived at the entrance of the police station just as Bennett returned from vacation, full of energy.
As soon as he saw them, he immediately stopped in his tracks, his eyes lighting up when he spotted Quinlyn. “Am I dreaming? Quinlyn, is it really you? Are you hungry? Let me treat you to a meal!”
At that moment, all Bennett saw was this golden opportunity, and everything else faded into the background.
Stanley walked over and positioned himself between them. He gave a half–smile, masking his real intentions, “Mr. Youngblood, we’re here to report a case. Someone’s trying to sell their own child. Which department should we go to?”
Bennett froze for a moment at the remark, and then noticed not only some familiar teenagers but also a mother with her child and a man. The man was tied up yet appeared defiant.
Domestic cases could be tough. Bennett slightly frowned but quickly smiled again, “Let’s go. I’m not busy, so I’ll take you there.”
“Thanks a lot.” The group followed him into the police station, through the main hall, and arrived at a department office.
Quinlyn glanced up at the sign. Inside the “Family Mediation Office“, there were more than ten desks. The moment the uniformed officers saw Bennett, they all stood up, welcoming him warmly.
“Bennett, what brings you here today? If you needed something, you could’ve just asked us to come over. We shouldn’t have you coming in person,” an officer said.
“Yes, Bennett, I heard the investigation team got an award recently. With your promotions, you’ll be moving up soon, right?” the other echoed.
“Such good news calls for a celebration. Let me treat you to lunch, Bennett,” the third officer offered.
There was no avoiding flattery at work, especially since Bennett’s detective team had been shining in the last few months.
They had tackled major cases effortlessly and recently collaborated with the military to save hundreds of students. With accomplishments like these, Bennett could really stand tall in the department.
Bennett waved his hand modestly, saying, “It’s all thanks to everyone, not just me. Hey, Benedict, are you available? There’s a case I need you to take a look at.”
Benedict, who was addressed, came forward right away. Actually, as soon as the group entered the room, his years of experience made him notice the mother and son. After assessing the situation, Benedict furrowed his brows in thought,
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without giving an immediate reaction.
Tommy, who had just been untied, was arrogant as he slouched in his chair and said, “The kid wasn’t sold anyway, not selling is the worst that happened. If I really end up in jail, who’s going to take care of the kid? Rely on his sick mom?”
His words were straightforward and harsh, but true. Colleagues at nearby tables glanced over but reluctantly looked away after frowning. Family affairs were hard to judge, especially in such situations.
“What about the welfare agency?” Bennett tapped the table and asked Benedict.
Benedict shook his head, looking a bit troubled. “A kid this age is very difficult to get adopted, not to mention the schooling issues. It’s generally not recommended.” Moreover, the conditions at some welfare agencies were far from ideal.
