Tony had a massive grin on his face while we driving to the woman's address. He seemed very happy that I was joining, I guess he does see me as a good detective. I'm just hoping that the information the woman has is actually going to help with our case. Most times they are just older women who just want to gossip or who are nosy about what's going on in the neighbourhood.
Her house was a small town house on the corner of the street about 2km away from the park where Josh went missing. One of the houses which I didn't check out because it was close to being dark and people tend to worry when a cop turns ups at night at your door to asks you questions.
- You alright there Dan?
- Yeah of course, why?
- You look like you're deep in thought.
- I just hope that we are not here for nothing, I don't have the patience for useless gossiping.
- Yeah me neither, we don't want to waste time when a kid is missing.
We park on the free parking spot in front of the house. It was only a small white town house, one you would probably want to retire in to enjoy the town and park. Tony knocks on the door to which a small older woman opens.
- Oh you're here! Please come in.
We make our way inside. The house was quite modern, an open planned kitchen and living room. Not very big, which you could tell from the outside. There were pictures everywhere of children and babies as well as family photos and pets. The usual I would say, when you get older, the only excitement you get is from the rest of the family.
- Please sit down at the dining table, I'll get us some water.
- Miss Weather, you called the station about having information on this man Tony pulls out a photo of the old man and shows it to her
- Oh yes! that's Tim, he used to roam around the streets and sleep in front of the houses on the park benches.
- He used to?
- Yes, I hadn't seen him in a while until two days ago. He seemed to be in a better shape, I guess someone must of took care of him for a bit.
- What do you mean?
- I don't really know how to say... you know what they are like the homeless. They are a mess and scruffy, kinda? But he was clean. He had new clothes, his hair was cut, he smelled nice and didn't seem hungry.
The word clean shouted out at me. One of the words I would use to descrive "him" would be the word "clean"
- Did you only see him or did you talk to him?
- No we ended up talking a bit.
- What did he say?
- The usual starter conversation, asking how we both were, if he needed anything. But he said he was feeling great and that he didn't need anything.
He mentioned very quickly about a mission that would change his life. I guess he was in a rush because he didn't want to talk a lot. And you know... Tim wasn't right in the head. He always talked about dying and how he was cursed with bad behaviour.
- So you knew about his criminal record?
- Everybody did around here. But he hadn't done anything to anybody I knew and he got what he deserved by being on the street. He deserved at least a bit of food and some talking to, he's still human after all. Did something happen to him?
- I'm afraid that he died recently and is a suspect for a kidnapping.
- Oh yes, my neighbour talked to me about a cop asking around for information.
- Did he say anything else about this mission of his?
- No not really, he seemed excited about it. Now that I think about it, he did turn around very quickly and something like "I need to go or he'll get angry". At least that's what I thought I heard, but I can't be 100% sure. Sorry.
- It's okay, anything else we need to know?
- Not anything that I can think of no.
- If you remember anything else that you think could help us then please call us at this number and state your name.
- Okay I will do. How long has this person been missing?
I know that Tony is too honest to end the conversation here so I decide to cut in.
- We are not sure. Thank you for speaking with us Miss Weather, we will be going now.
- Oh okay, have a nice day gentlemen.
- Thanks, you too.
We head out of the house and go straight to the car. I guess this proves that it might have a connection with "him", which doesn't make the situation any better since the only people who have survived his crimes are me and Josh. Maybe he is coming back to finish his jobs? Or maybe I'm getting too close to him.
- You alright there Dan?
- Yeah, at least now I know there is a possible connection with my serial killer.
- You should give him a name.
- A name?
- Yes.
- I guess you're right.
- How about The Puppeteer?
- I like that, the fact that he controls others to do his dirty work.
We ended up visiting the rest of the houses that I didn't to make sure there weren't any other witnesses who hadn't come to the station to file a report. But after spending 3 hours visiting all types of different people, we couldn't get any more information about the so called Tim. So all we know is that the kidnapper we are looking for is now dead, was a homeless person with a criminal record and that he was looked after and given a mission.
Just hang on Josh, I'll find you.
