Run: 2026-10-08-01M4DAKF0P0H4RXDF8Q8X0PH08

**Melanie:** "Entschuldigung, aber ich verstehe Sie nicht. Sprechen Sie bitte langsam?" *(Excuse me, but I don't understand you. Could you speak slowly, please?)* **Hunter:** "Sorry, I'm Detective Hunter with the Alborn Police Department. I'm asking about the disappearance on Maple Street last Thursday. You were seen near the orchard that night. Did you see anything?" **Melanie:** "Ich war dort, ja. Ich habe Fotos gemacht, bei Sonnenuntergang. Und dann... dann habe ich eine Gestalt gesehen. Ich habe Angst, es war so still. Die Kamera hat den Mann aufgenommen, glaube ich." *(I was there, yes. I was taking photos at sunset. And then... then I saw a figure. I'm scared, it was so quiet. The camera caught the man, I think.)* **Hunter:** *[pause, frowning]* "Okay. I got 'orchard,' and I got 'Angst,' which I'm guessing isn't a dessert. Do you speak any English at all?" **Melanie:** "Englisch? Nein, nicht wirklich. Ich bin erst seit drei Wochen hier. Bitte, Sie müssen mir glauben. Es war wirklich ein Mann." *(English? No, not really. I've only been here three weeks. Please, you have to believe me. It was really a man.)* **Hunter:** *[sighs, sits down across from her]* "Look, I don't speak German. Not even 'hello' or 'thank you.' But you're holding that camera like it's the most important thing you own, so I'm guessing those photos matter. Can you show me?" **Melanie:** *[hesitantly turns the camera around, speaking softly]* "Hier. Diese Bilder. Das ist der Apfelhain. Und hier, im Hintergrund... sehen Sie den Schatten?" *(Here. These pictures. That's the apple grove. And here, in the background... do you see the shadow?)* **Hunter:** "Yeah, I see something. Shadows are a pain, though. Hang on, I need to ask again. Do you remember what time you took this?" **Melanie:** "Um kurz nach acht. Ich weiß es, weil die Sonne gerade untergegangen war. Ich habe auf meine Uhr geschaut. Sie war schon kaputt, aber die Kamera zeigt die Zeit." *(Around eight past eight. I know because the sun had just set. I looked at my watch. It was already broken, but the camera shows the time.)* **Hunter:** *[leaning in, quieter]* "Eight-oh-something. Good. That's useful. Okay, I'm going to need you to come down to the station so we can get a copy of those files, and I'll bring in an interpreter. Does that work?" **Melanie:** "Ein Dolmetscher? Ja. Ja, bitte. Ich möchte helfen. Ich habe nur Angst, dass er mich auch sucht." *(An interpreter? Yes. Yes, please. I want to help. I'm only afraid that he's looking for me too.)* **Hunter:** *[a beat, then gently]* "Nobody's coming for you while I'm around. I don't know what you just said, but I can tell it was something scary. Let's get you somewhere safe first." *[Phone buzzes. Hunter pulls it out, glances at the screen, and stands.]* **Hunter:** *(into phone)* "Hunter. ...Say that again? ...No, don't move the body. I'm on my way." *[Hunter looks back at Melanie.]* **Hunter:** "I have to go. Stay here, order whatever you want, I'll pick up the tab. Don't leave town, and don't give that camera to anyone else. I'll be back within the hour with a translator. Okay?" **Melanie:** "Okay... Danke. Passen Sie auf sich auf, Herr Detektiv." *(Okay... Thank you. Take care of yourself, Detective.)* **Hunter:** *[pauses at the door, half-smiles]* "Yeah. You too, Melanie. I think."