Run: 2026-05-19-01KS0TWJK0EE4GB8TSD49MGW17

Hunter: *(approaching the table, showing his badge)* "Excuse me, ma'am? Mind if I have a word? I'm Detective Hunter, Alborn Police Department. I saw you walking back from the county line yesterday." Melanie: *(startled, clutching her camera to her chest, speaking with a shaky voice)* "Oh... Hallo? Entschuldigung, ich... ich verstehe Sie leider nicht. Mein Englisch ist sehr schlecht. Sprechen Sie Deutsch?" Hunter: *(frowning, sighing heavily)* "German. Great. Just my luck. Look, ma'am, I don't know what you're saying, but I'm investigating a disappearance. A young woman vanished near the old apple orchard. You were out there taking photos, right? *Photos*?" *(He mimics pressing a shutter button)* Melanie: *(tears welling in her eyes, gesturing wildly toward the woods behind the cafe)* "Es war schrecklich... so schrecklich. Ich wollte doch nur die alten Apfelbäume im Nebel fotografieren. Aber dann war da dieser Schatten im Wald. Jemand war dort. Und... und dann habe ich diesen furchtbaren Schrei gehört." Hunter: *(crossing his arms, completely baffled by her frantic tone)* "Slow down, slow down. I don't get a word of that. Shadows? Did you see someone? Look, I need to know if you saw Clara Miller. Blonde, about five-foot-four? Did you get a photo of her on that machine of yours?" *(He points to her camera)* Melanie: *(misunderstanding, holding her camera protectively, shaking her head vigorously)* "Nein, nein! Es ist nicht auf der Kamera! Ich habe vor Schreck die Kontrolle verloren und habe nur den Auslöser gedrückt, ohne hinzusehen. Ich hatte solche Angst! Ich bin einfach nur weggelaufen, so schnell ich konnte!" Hunter: *(rubbing the back of his neck, growing frustrated)* "Lady, you're not helping me here. Can I just see the pictures? *Kamera*? Let me look at the screen. *Screen*? Show me." *(He reaches out his hand, gesturing for her to hand it over)* Melanie: *(shrinking back, shaking, her voice trembling with trauma)* "Es war kein Unfall, das weiß ich genau! Da war ein Mann im dunklen Mantel. Er hat etwas Schweres durch das Unterholz gezerrt... es sah aus wie ein Körper. Warum hilft mir denn niemand? Sie müssen dorthin gehen und suchen! Da war so viel Blut auf den Blättern nahe der alten Mühle!" Hunter: *(exasperated, speaking slowly)* "I'm sure you think you're telling me something important, but it's all Greek to me. Or German. Look, I’m going to need to get a translator from the county sheriff's office. You stay right here, okay? Do not leave this cafe." Melanie: *(putting her head in her hands, sobbing quietly)* "Bitte... Sie müssen mir glauben. Er ist immer noch da draußen im Wald. Bitte gehen Sie nicht weg..." Hunter: *(his cell phone suddenly buzzes loudly in his pocket; he pulls it out and answers)* "Hunter. Speak to me. ... What? Where? Near the old mill? A dog walker found something? On my way." *(He hangs up and looks back at Melanie, his expression tight)* "Look, I got an emergency. I have to go. You... just stay safe, alright? Go back to your hotel. *Hotel*. Go." Melanie: *(looking up with tear-stained cheeks as he turns to leave)* "Warten Sie! Nicht gehen! Wo wollen Sie hin? Es ist gefährlich!"