Missing Child Case: I Put My Neighborhood on Trial

Ten minutes later, the sound of police sirens rose from downstairs.

Officer Holt, leading the team, shouted up through a megaphone, "Stay calm, Sophia Watson! What you're doing is a serious crime! Restore the building systems immediately. We can talk about everything!"

I walked over to the window and pulled it open just a crack. Below, red and blue lights flashed.

Police tape had already been set up. Reporters who had caught wind of the situation swarmed like sharks that smelled blood, trying to break past the line.

I didn't respond to Officer Holt. Instead, I sent a second message to the residents' group chat.

"Everyone, I know you're innocent, and I don't want to hurt anyone. I just want my son, Zeke, to be back. From now on, I need you to do three things.

"First, knock on each other's doors and make sure everything is normal. Second, think carefully—did you see anyone or hear anything unusual between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm three days ago?

"Finally, send any clues to me, or pass them to Officer Holt downstairs. Remember, you're not just saving my son. You're saving yourselves. After all, no one wants their darkest secrets to become the city's favorite gossip."

That struck a nerve in everyone in the building.

One would ask, "What kind of people lived in the Grand Summit Residence?"

Well, there were entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, celebrities, and anyone who wore a polished mask but had skeletons in their closets.

Almost immediately, people in the group chat started tagging each other.

"@1204MatthewW, what's all that noise in your apartment? Are you having renovations?"

"@1808MarienneL, I thought your husband was away on a business trip. I could've sworn I heard a man's voice in your place."

"@everyone, can anyone get into the management office? Sophia can't possibly check every corner alone."

Panic and suspicion spread quickly. The thin veil of civility between neighbors was destroyed by me.

Downstairs, Officer Holt kept pleading patiently, "We understand how you feel, Sophia, but you can't solve this the wrong way! What you're doing is breaking the law!"

I grabbed a Bluetooth speaker, set it by the window, and turned the volume to maximum. "You heard it yourself, Officer Holt. The power of the people is immense. Clues you've spent three days looking for, my neighbours can uncover in an hour.

"And don't try to force your way in or cut the power. The building's fire and gas systems are tied into my network. I don't wish to see any accidents happening."

Officer Holt went silent instantly. A young cop next to him whispered, "Captain Holt, the tech team says the other side is a top-tier expert. The firewall is way too complicated, and it'd at least take six hours to crack."

Six hours? By then, it would be far too late.

Officer Holt picked up the megaphone, his voice hoarse. "Fine. We'll help. We'll search with you. Just don't do anything reckless!"

I stared at the countdown on my screen—35 minutes.