Chapter 707

Two unfamiliar officers stood at the door, their crisp uniforms failing to conceal the unease in their eyes. Evelyn frowned slightly—she didn’t recall seeing these men by the village pond.

"Miss Carter?"

"That’s me."

"We have new leads in the pond corpse case. Your cooperation is required." The lead officer flashed his badge briefly. "We went to the Hamilton residence first. They said you’d be here."

Evelyn’s gaze flickered over the badge. The embossed seal gleamed coldly under the light. She stole a glance at the patrol car parked outside, its rooftop lights pulsing silently.

"Right now?"

"It’s urgent."

Lily suddenly grabbed Evelyn’s sleeve. "Dr. Carter, my brother and I want to come too! We were both there that day!"

The older officer’s face darkened. "Absolutely not!" His voice spiked before dropping to a harsh whisper. "Minors aren’t permitted in criminal interrogations."

Evelyn’s fingers twitched. She remembered clearly—Lotus had been the first to discover the bones. The police had taken his statement specifically.

"One moment." She turned back inside, whispering urgently into Lily’s ear: "Contact the Hamilton driver. Have Grandma Grace and the children leave immediately." She pressed a slip of paper with a phone number into Lily’s pocket.

Grace approached, cradling the baby. "What’s happening?"

"Mom, do exactly as Lily says." Evelyn squeezed her mother’s hand tightly. "Trust me."

Returning to the patrol car, Evelyn opened the rear door herself. The officer in the passenger seat was texting, the screen’s blue glow highlighting his tense jawline.

As they merged onto the main road, Evelyn spoke suddenly: "The victim was the missing accountant from the neighboring village, wasn’t he? The one who embezzled the levee funds."

The driver slammed the brakes.

"Ridiculous!" The passenger snapped before adding hastily, "Case details aren’t for discussion."

Evelyn lowered her lashes. She’d invented the accountant’s name on the spot.

When they passed a 24-hour pharmacy, Evelyn clutched her ankle. "Could we stop? My old sprain from escaping last time is acting up."

The officers exchanged glances before reluctantly pulling over.

Evelyn walked straight through the store aisles and pushed open the back door. Icy wind greeted her as furious curses erupted behind her.

A security booth glowed at the corner. Stumbling inside, Evelyn thrust her phone at the officer on duty, displaying the patrol car photo: "Those men are impersonating police!"

Beyond the glass, blinding high beams flared to life. The fake patrol car was accelerating toward them like a maddened beast.