Run: 2026-05-22-01KS86TF29QRGYGJBZTC2QK9WW

Hunter: "(Approaches the table, flashing a badge) Excuse me, miss. Detective Hunter. I'm looking into the incident that happened near the old cider press here in Alborn this morning. Mind if I ask you a few questions?" Melanie: "(Looks up from her camera, her hands trembling slightly) Entschuldigung? Ich... ich verstehe nicht. Ich spreche kein Englisch. Sprechen Sie Deutsch?" Hunter: "(Frowns, looking confused) German? You're speaking German? Look, I don't know a single word of it. Do you speak any English at all?" Melanie: "(Shakes her head, looking troubled and pointing at her camera) Nein, gar nicht. Ich bin nur für ein Auslandssemester hier. Aber... ich habe heute Morgen etwas gesehen. Bei den Apfelbäumen. Es war furchtbar." Hunter: "(Sighs, rubbing the back of his neck) Okay, we've got a language barrier. I get that you're upset. You saw something at the apple orchard? (Points to her camera) You were taking pictures?" Melanie: "(Nods vigorously, her eyes wide) Ja! Genau! Ich mache Landschaftsfotografie. Aber dann... dann habe ich ihn gesehen. Er hat jemanden in den alten Schuppen gezerrt. Ich habe solche Angst bekommen." Hunter: "(Watches her gestures, his marine instincts kicking in) Okay, 'him'. A man. You saw a man. (Mimes dragging something) Dragging someone? Into the shed?" Melanie: "(Tears up slightly, pointing at the camera screen) Ja, ja! Sehen Sie selbst! Ich habe ein Foto gemacht, aber es ist unscharf. Hier, schauen Sie in den Hintergrund." Hunter: "(Leans in, squinting at the digital display) Let me see that. (Takes the camera carefully) Nice landscape, but... wait. Is that a boot sticking out from behind the tractor? And a shadow moving toward the shed?" Melanie: "(Nods, tapping the screen) Ja! Der Schatten! Und die Stiefel. Es war ein Mann in einer dunklen Jacke. Ich wollte der Polizei helfen, aber ich konnte mich nicht verständigen." Hunter: "(Hands the camera back, his expression turning dead serious) You did the right thing by staying put. A dark jacket. Did you see his face? (Points to his own face) Face?" Melanie: "(Shakes her head sadly) Nein. Er hatte eine Kapuze auf. Und eine Mütze. Ich konnte nur sehen, dass er sehr groß war. Und er hinkte ein bisschen. Mit dem linken Bein." Hunter: "(Mimics a limp on his left side) Limping on the left leg. Tall guy in a dark hoodie. That's actually really helpful. I've got a suspect with a bad knee." Melanie: "(Smiles faintly, relieved) Wirklich? Das freut mich. Ich hoffe, Sie finden die vermisste Person. Das Apfelfest soll doch diese Woche starten, alle sind so nervös." Hunter: "(Nods, appreciating her tone even if he misses the exact words) We'll do our best. Now, I need to get your name and the name of your study abroad coordinator so I can get a translator..." Hunter: "(His phone suddenly buzzes loudly. He checks the screen and his jaw tightens, answering it) Hunter here... What? Another disappearance near the festival grounds? I'm on my way. (Hangs up and looks at Melanie) Duty calls. Stay right here. Don't leave the cafe. I'll be back with someone who speaks German." Melanie: "(Nods, clutching her camera to her chest) Ich warte hier. Passen Sie auf sich auf!" Hunter: "(Gives a curt, no-nonsense nod) You too. Stay safe. (Turns and jogs out of the cafe)"