Chapter 8: A Sense of Foreboding

James led Sophia out of the dark alley and back to the restaurant.

Sophia gave him a thumbs-up. "You were awesome back there."

James reminded her, "You gotta be more careful. Not every time will someone be there to save you."

He added, "Especially at night."

"Got it." Sophia stuck out her tongue and handed him the barbecue. "Here, eat up."

James said, "It's already cold."

Sophia grabbed the barbecue, "I'll go reheat it."

"Hey, I'm back." Sophia placed the barbecue on the grill and started turning it.

The chef next to her made some space and reminded her, "Miss, your barbecue is about to burn. It might not be edible."

"No worries." Sophia glanced at James and smirked, "He will eat it."

The chef gave James a sympathetic look. "How about I give you some fresh ones?"

"Hey, has Mrs. Moore come looking for Mr. Wilson these past few days?" Sophia moved closer to the chef and asked.

The chef's face darkened. He looked around before reluctantly saying, "Bianca came by about three days ago, around four in the afternoon. They seemed to have had a fight. Many neighbors heard their argument. Someone even heard, 'Are you trying to drive me to my death?'"

The chef added, "Bianca ran out crying. She used to be the most beautiful woman in our town, with many suitors. It's sad to see her like this now."

Sophia didn't expect the situation to be so serious. If Bianca hadn't been pushed to the brink, how could she have said something like that?

Sophia put down the barbecue and continued to ask, "Where does Mr. Wilson live?"

"Just in that building ahead, number 111." The chef reminded, "You won't find him now. He disappears at night."

Sophia glanced at the six-story building in the distance. It seemed old and poorly maintained, with most of the wall peeling off. There was a large crack in the middle, making it look like it could collapse at any moment.

"Miss, your barbecue is burnt." The chef said softly, looking down.

Sophia looked at the burnt barbecue in her hand, almost in tears.

Caught up in the conversation, she had forgotten about the barbecue.

Just as she was about to order more, James stood up and pointed at his watch. "It's getting late. We should go."

Sophia quickly paid the bill and followed him out.

The chef waved his hands. "Goodbye, Miss. Goodbye, Mr. Thomas."

Sophia glanced back, "So the chef knew your identity."

James sneered, "How else do you think you got your answers so easily?"

"I could also have done it myself." But she didn't sound very confident.

Back on the way, they were both silent, seeming lost in their thoughts.

Sophia got off at the Mystery Detective Agency, while James rode off into the night on his motorcycle without a word.

The stars were bright, and the moonlight illuminated the Mystery Detective Agency, making it shine.

Sophia looked up, and under the sign of the Mystery Detective Agency, her figure seemed taller.

She murmured, "I'm a detective. James, I can investigate without you."

She didn't sleep a wink that night.

The next morning, Sophia's eyes were puffy from staying up all night. She'd spent the night piecing together clues and scribbling them down in her notebook.

After a quick breakfast, she headed back to the Harmony Farmers Market.

Sophia found Daniel's house and knocked on the door, but there was no response. She called Daniel, and only then did the door open.

Daniel nervously glanced outside and locked the door after she entered.

"Ms. Brown, what brings you here?" Daniel looked surprised to see her.

"I have some questions for you." Sophia looked around the room. It was a mess, with no decent furniture, and even the chairs looked like they could fall apart at any moment.

"I'll tell you everything I know." Daniel brought over a chair and wiped off the dust. "Have a seat."

Sophia sat down and opened her notebook. "Yesterday, when you went to Mr. Moore's villa, during your argument, I heard him say that on the night Mrs. Moore died, you went to the villa to see her. Is that true?"

Daniel scratched his head, "No."

"You just said you'd tell me everything, and now you're lying." Sophia reminded him, "I'm good at criminal investigation and know a bit about micro-expressions. Your actions have already betrayed you."

Daniel smiled awkwardly and scratched his head. "I did go to see her, but it was to apologize. We had an argument around four in the afternoon."

Sophia asked, "Why did you argue?"

Daniel sighed, "I was pressuring her to get a divorce."

"When you went to see her, did you notice anything unusual?"

Daniel shook his head.

Sophia's expression grew serious. "I heard you often hit her?"

Daniel quickly said, "We just had normal arguments. The one who really hit her was Matthew. He beat her badly. She was covered in scars. Matthew is a bastard."

'Matthew?' Sophia thought, shocked. 'Yesterday, Matthew clearly said that Daniel often abused Bianca and even threatened to kill her. But now Daniel says the one who really hit Bianca was Matthew.'

"I know you probably don't believe me. Matthew is so cunning." Daniel gritted his teeth. "But there is evidence on Bianca's phone. If we find her phone, we can expose Matthew."

Sophia felt the situation was more complicated than she had expected. She steadied her emotions and didn't pursue the topic further.

She needed to investigate the truth and couldn't trust anyone based on one side's words, which was the awareness required of a competent detective.

Sophia hesitated and then asked, "On the night Mrs. Moore died, her ring was missing. Did you notice if she was wearing it when you saw her?"

"I didn't notice." Daniel stood up. "Wait a moment. I'll get you some fruit. We can talk while we eat."

Sophia was about to decline when her phone rang; it was James.

Sophia answered, and James's voice came through, "I've got it figured out. This ring was pledged as collateral by Daniel to settle a debt with Benjamin."

Sophia's heart began to race inexplicably.

She didn't know why, but she had a sense of foreboding.

Just then, Daniel came out, holding a long knife in his left hand.