I was involved in this kidnapping case years ago, but it was never solved.
I don't want my old views to influence your thinking.
You take others with you and let's discuss the case when you return."
"OK, Jackson, you're coming with me."
"Yes, sir."
Herldo Community.
Half an hour later, Jackson drove to the new address of Sofia's stepmother's house.
Luke got out of the car, habitually observing the surroundings.
Jackson approached and asked, "Captain, why doesn't the deputy team want to come? Does he really think his preconceived notions would influence others' thinking and handling of the case?
Why hasn't he mentioned it before?"
Luke smiled, "Don't be silly, he's just embarrassed to face the victim's family."
Jackson "…"
After Luke's hint, he also realized.
Sofia's kidnapping happened ten years ago, the case has never been solved, and as an officer involved in the investigation back then, the deputy team's position is indeed a bit awkward.
This is a high-end community, Sofia's stepmother's villa covers a large area.
Jackson walked to the entrance of the courtyard and pressed the doorbell.
After a while, the video doorbell activated, and a white man in his thirties appeared on the screen, "This is Kelly Lax's residence, who are you looking for?"
Jackson showed his badge, "LAPD, we're here to see Kelly Lax."
"What's your business?"
Jackson countered, "What's your relationship with Kelly Lax?"
"I'm her boyfriend, Mike Caromon."
"Is Kelly Lax at home? We need to talk to her in person."
"OK, just a moment."
Soon, the courtyard gate opened.
Luke and Jackson entered the yard one after the other.
Stone bricks paved a pathway in the yard, with many flowers planted on both sides, growing well, colorful, very beautiful, with a faint scent of flowers in the air.
Luke carefully examined the area, the garden is beautifully arranged, likely professionally designed, and he thought of his villa under construction, planning to arrange the garden well once it's completed.
At that moment, the house door also opened, and Mike Caromon stood at the entrance, gesturing for them to enter, "Kelly is waiting for you in the living room, follow me."
Luke entered the villa's hall; due to the French windows, the living room was very bright, the furniture was exquisite, and the overall decor leaned toward classical style.
A woman, around forty, descended from the villa's second floor, dressed in a white long dress, elegant and poised, "Officers, what brings you here?"
Jackson assessed her, "Are you Mrs. Kelly Lax?"
"That's me."
"I am Detective Jackson from the Robbery and Murder Department, and this is Captain Lee, we'd like to speak with you privately." Jackson glanced at Mike Caromon, implying something.
Kelly Lax said calmly, "He's my boyfriend, I have nothing to hide from him, you can speak directly."
Luke got straight to the point, "We're here to talk about Sofia Delarosa's case."
Kelly Lax's face changed slightly, she took a deep breath, turned to Mike Caromon, "Dear, can you help me fix the desk in my study upstairs?"
"Sure, call me if you need anything." Mike Caromon glanced at Kelly Lax and then at Luke and Jackson before turning upstairs.
"Please have a seat." Kelly Lax sat on the sofa, looking at Luke across from her, puzzled, "Captain Lee, it's been ten years since the case.
I've been trying to forget, why bring it up again now?"
Luke watched her expression, "We found Sofia Delarosa."
Kelly Lax looked shocked, "Oh my God, you found her body?"
Luke corrected, "Sofia Delarosa is not dead, at least she wasn't dead when we found her."
"What? Sofia's not dead!" Kelly Lax's mouth gaped in disbelief, "Are you serious?"
"Yes, we discovered her DNA while investigating another case; she could still be alive."
"Oh my God, how is that possible!
The kidnapping was ten years ago, if she's alive, she should be twenty now.
Then why hasn't she come home? Why didn't she report it?"
"That's what we want to know; we're here to learn more about her and the kidnapping from back then."
Kelly Lax sighed, "It's been so many years since the kidnapping, a lot of details I can't remember clearly.
My husband passed away due to the heartbreak from this...
I can't believe Sofia is still alive…"
Luke said, "Mrs. Delarosa, could you describe the kidnapping as it happened?"
"I'll try."
Kelly Lax's eyebrows furrowed again, lost in thought, "It was the summer of 2013, Sofia had just turned ten, her father gifted her a new bicycle, and I bought her new clothes and shoes.
She loved that bike and often rode around the community.
On June 16th, she came home from school, said she had a date to play at the community park, and rode her bike out.
At that time, her father and I weren't home, we only heard about it later from the nanny.