C405 Military Photos

Morning had already arrived at the Mooney residence. Everyone had just woken up, but there was already noise throughout the house. Emmanuel was crying nonstop. Mary held him in her arms, gently rocking him back and forth. “Shhh… it's all right, my little one.” But Emmanuel wasn't interested in calming down. His tiny hands moved restlessly as he continued crying. Peter smiled as he watched Mary trying to calm him. “He really misses his mother.” Mary sighed. “Of course he does.” Before she could say anything else, the front door opened. Hammer and Bulldog entered the residence.

The moment Mary saw them, her expression immediately changed. She quickly approached them. “Is Mike safe?” She paused. “What about Alicia?” Peter laughed softly. “So you are worried too?” Mary looked at him. “Who wouldn't be worried when things are like this?” She looked back at Hammer. “Please tell me they are okay.” Hammer smiled. "They are doing just fine.” Mary's expression immediately softened. Hammer continued. “Actually, it is more than that. They have adapted very well.” Mary smiled. “Really?” “Yes. The training has been difficult, but they are handling it.” Peter nodded. “And Alicia?” “She is doing well too.” Hammer smiled. “They all miss everyone here, especially their families, but they have become very close to one another.”

Mark, who had been listening quietly, finally smiled. “Well, if they are fine, then what brings you all here?” He paused. “Did you come to tell us something about the investigation?” Hammer quickly shook his head. “No, Sir.” He reached into the bag he was carrying. “We came to deliver their letters.” Mary's eyes immediately brightened. “Letters?” Hammer nodded. “They wanted their families to know they are safe.” Bulldog helped him take the envelopes out. The family gathered around. Georgia immediately recognised Alicia's handwriting. She carefully opened the letter. Quinton opened Mike's letter. As they began reading, they realised that both letters had something in common. They were both about Emmanuel. Georgia smiled as she read Alicia's words. She could almost imagine Alicia sitting somewhere far away, thinking about her baby.

Quinton smiled while reading Mike's letter. The words were simple, but they were enough to reassure them that Mike was alive and doing well. Then they noticed the photographs attached to the letters. Mary carefully picked them up. The photographs immediately caught everyone's attention. They were dressed in military clothes. They looked completely different from the people who had left the city a month earlier. Peter couldn't help smiling. He stared at Alicia's photograph for several seconds. “She looks just like her mother.” His voice became softer. For a moment, his mind travelled back to his younger days. He remembered the years when he had also been involved in military training. He looked at Mike's photograph. “Look at Mike.”

Peter smiled. “When I was young, I also went through training like this.” Mark laughed. “My daughter has really grown.” He stared at Alicia's picture. “She doesn't even look like the little girl I remember anymore.” Mary smiled. “They are all changing.” Mark nodded. Then he looked at Hammer. “Tell them everyone is safe.” Hammer nodded. “I will.” He looked around the room. “And they will send another letters next week.” Mary smiled. “That is good.” At least now they had something to hold onto. Hammer and Bulldog eventually said their goodbyes. They had one final family to visit. The Gomez residence.

The moment Hammer entered the Gomez residence, he smiled. “Mr. Gomez, Mrs. Gomez.” Godness and Prince looked toward him. Hammer continued. “I would like to thank you both for what you did that day.” Godness smiled. “For what?” Hammer laughed. “Nobody questioned the kidnapping. Everything went exactly as planned, and that was partly because of the way you handled everything.” He looked at Godness. “And that statement of yours was amazing, Mrs. Gomez.” Godness laughed. “You actually read it?” Hammer nodded. “Of course.” Godness shook her head. “It was nothing.” She immediately became serious. “How is our daughter?” Prince also stepped forward. “And what brings you here?” Bright, who had been nearby, looked worried. “Is my wife okay?” He paused. “Her father has been worried about her. He asks about her every day.”

Hammer smiled. “Everything is fine.” He reached into his bag and pulled out the final envelope. “This is from Laura.” He handed it to Prince. Prince immediately opened it. He began reading. “Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, Please remind my husband that I am fine. He must not speak about our disappearance to anyone. I miss everyone. However, everything is good here. Yesterday we went hunting, and Mike almost killed an innocent rabbit. It was so beautiful.” Everyone laughed. Bright shook his head. “I never told anyone.” Prince looked at him. “Really?” He laughed. “Then what about Josh Tryon?” Bright immediately responded. “Dad, he is my manager and my father-in-law. He was worried about his daughter.” Everyone laughed again.

Prince then looked at the photographs. His expression immediately changed. He stared at Laura. She was wearing the military uniform and large boots. Prince shook his head. “This doesn't look like the small little girl we know.” Godness laughed. “Look at those boots!” She turned toward Hammer. “Are they training to become soldiers?” Hammer laughed. “No, Mrs. Gomez.” He looked at Laura's photograph. “But we prefer everyone to wear the same uniform while they are training.” Godness nodded. “I see.” Hammer suddenly remembered something. He took out the list in his pocket. Then he looked at Godness. “Mrs. Gomez, are you busy this morning?” Godness shook her head. “No. Why?”

Hammer hesitated for a moment. “Can you help us with the shopping?” Godness looked confused. “Shopping?” Hammer nodded. “They gave us a list of everything they need.” He looked slightly embarrassed. “Some of the things are very private, and it would be awkward for us to buy them.” He paused. “We forgot to ask Mrs. Mooney.” Godness immediately laughed. “I understand.” She happily agreed. “Of course I'll help.” A short while later, Hammer, Bulldog, and Godness left for the city to buy everything on the list. Prince remained behind with Bright. He continued looking at the photograph of Laura. He couldn't help smiling. His daughter-in-law looked happy. But then he turned toward Bright. “Son.” Bright looked at him. “Why didn't you go as well?”