The house was astonishing. I never had much money but due to my job sometimes I had to pay a visit to rich people and I always were happy cause their luxury never surprised me or made me envy it. But this time was different. I looked around with my mouth open admiring how perfect, harmonic and interesting this place was. It wasn't crowded with expensive stuff, every furniture, every painting or sculpture fitted incredibly accurately. Only after a long pause I remembered my manners.
"I'm sorry but I have to admit that your house is wonderful. I have never seen anything like that. Even in magazines".
"Thank you",- she said shyly "Please, take a seat"
"Who created all this" I gestured around. She looked even more bashful.
"I guess it would be me"
"Really? Then I must say you have a talent, Mrs. Cullen".
"Thank you. But please call me Esme. Excuse me but I don't know your name"
"Oh, sorry, I'm Lilibeth Wells, N.Y.P.D."
"New York? That criminal must be really dangerous"
"Yes, but don't worry we gonna catch him soon"
"I don't want to be rude but I haven't known many policewomen, especially working alone. Isn't this job too scary?"
"I'm not working alone",- I lied just in case these guys would have bad intentions. Pretending having back up can't be a bad idea. "I'm working with a partner. We just split up so we can research a bigger area"
"That's clear. But why I haven't heard about this criminal wondering around?"- Fuck! I need some really good story to fool her...
"Well.." I lowered my voice and leaned to her "Actually I shouldn't have told you about my aim at all. Everyone was ordered to keep their mouths shut but you are living so deep in the woods and so far from any help... I thought it's a right thing to do"
" Oh no! I didn't want to make you any troubles. But still... What about other people? Aren't they in danger too?"- damn, she was acute.
"Since I've already told you about that guy I guess I can tell you some more. He was already caught but he escaped. That's the first reason nobody wants to know about it - it'll embarrass the good name of police department. Another one, more important, that this criminal likes to cause mass hysteria. More anxiety there will be the more crimes he will do. So for now the best tactics is not to reveal it to public" I mentally sighed. I'm lucky to be good at creating stories.
"Wow. This sounds serious. But I'm trusting that police. Would you like some coffee? Tea?"
"Tea, please"
"I'll be right back"
When she went to the kitchen I quickly started checking the house. I ran through a bunch of different journals varying from fashion to medicine, then carefully opened a couple drawer. Nothing unusual except a bundle of cash, about 10-15 thousands. Maybe they don't have a safe and don't know a better hiding place? I hardly doubt it... But it shows that there might be some bad stuff connected to money. I'm gonna check it later. I closed the drawer at the same time Esme came up with tea. I was surprised cause I hadn't her footsteps earlier.
"Here you are" she said putting down the silver tray. "Please, try some biscuits"
"Thanks. Hmm... Can I ask you something personal?"
"Yes, of course"- she looked puzzled for a second
"Why are you living in such place? It's the middle of woods. There are no neighbours which I guess sometimes is good, but still... Aren't you afraid of living here? And it must be pretty inconvenient sometimes"
She smiled "We like this place. And no, we're not afraid. We love go camping so this way it's even easier. And I don't miss the traffic, the noise and the other disadvantages of a city"
"That explains a lot" I decided to get some more information."Do you have kids?"
"Yes. We adopted 4 kids and they are already teenagers. And my husband's brother, his wife and their daughter is living with us right now." She looked really proud talking about her family. But there was something that bothered me and I couldn't understand.
"It's a huge family. Must be pretty hard to deal with all of them"
"Oh no! I love them very much and they all are very good."
"No offence, but you look like that kind of mother who brings her children pictures everywhere"
She laughed and brought me a few rims with photos. I've seen their pictures before but in these ones they all looked even mo stunning. For a second I considered if they might be angels.
"You have a nice family, Mrs. Cullen" I said returning her photos "But I must say you surprised me a bit"
"How?"
"I was pretty sure you are going to show me some embarrassing but cute photos from their childhood. Most mother would do so" - for a moment I saw pain in her eyes. Another soft spot.
"I'm sorry but I don't have any, you see, we adopted them not so long ago..." and she truly surprised me. I considered all of them professionals who were able pretend and lie without noticing. But now I could clearly see that she was lying.
"Don't worry, I just said what's rushed into my head. And thank you for your tea but I have to leave now" I stood and watched her becoming herself again.
"No, thank you for coming here. It was nice to meet you"
"Me too. Goodbye, Mrs.Cullen" she made a grimace so I corrected myself "Goodbye, Esme"
When I was going to my car I couldn't stop thinking. She looked like a normal person, loving mother, beautiful and sincere woman. How this is possible that she is something else? Something not human? I had to face a fact that though I was totally freaked about this case I won't stop until I find out a true.

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