Chapter 1060 - 1060

This person is none other than Astrid Giles, committee member and executive vice mayor of Silverwood City.

Dirk Carter hasn't been in office for very long.

Besides attending a few meetings with Astrid Giles, they've had little interaction.

Astrid Giles turned fifty this year.

To be an executive vice mayor at her age indicates she has considerable ability.

After coming in, she first glanced at Brent Lowell lying on the bed, then looked at Dirk Carter and said, "Secretary General Carter, I think you should know that Brent Lowell's security responsibilities have been transferred. Isn't your presence here a bit inappropriate?"

"I'm the Secretary of the State Commission for Discipline Inspection and leader of the supervision team. This case is being led by the supervision team, so why would my presence be inappropriate?"

Dirk Carter retorted.

Astrid Giles sneered coldly and asked, "Really? Secretary General Carter, if you're so competent, why can't you even ensure the safety of suspects? If I recall correctly, apart from the suspect, there are also two Commission for Discipline Inspection officers in the hospital, aren't there?"

These words.

Momentarily caught Dirk Carter off guard.

Though the setup was deliberately arranged by Dirk Carter.

The fact that Brent Lowell was attacked is undeniable.

And Dirk Carter couldn't reveal his prior plans to Astrid Giles.

Failing to protect the suspect but using him as bait – if someone intent on using this against him were to catch wind of it, Dirk Carter would definitely face insurmountable trouble.

"Mayor Giles, it's true that the guardianship of Brent Lowell has been transferred to the Mountridge County Police Department, but case jurisdiction still lies with our Commission for Discipline Inspection. Surely having a brief conversation with him here isn't overstepping, is it?"

"Of course it's not overstepping, Secretary General Carter. Have you finished asking your questions? Shouldn't the suspect be allowed to rest afterward?"

Astrid Giles inquired.

Dirk Carter turned to look at Brent Lowell.

He was already huddled under the covers.

Feeling a bit disheartened.

If Astrid Giles had arrived two minutes later, Dirk Carter might have uncovered the truth.

"Mayor Giles, care to chat?"

Dirk Carter asked.

Astrid Giles seemed disdainful.

But she expressionlessly nodded.

Hands behind her back, she was the first to step out of the ward.

The two descended the stairs.

They walked to the corner by the hospital wall, where a pavilion happened to be.

Astrid Giles stopped, saying, "Secretary General Carter, speak your mind."

Dirk Carter took a deep breath.

Looking at the middle-aged woman before him.

Said, "Mayor Giles, I heard you and Brent Lowell share a good rapport?"

Upon hearing this, a wave surged across Astrid Giles's previously calm expression.

She abruptly looked up at Dirk Carter, asking, "What do you mean?"

Dirk Carter sat down on the stone bench within the pavilion, crossed one leg over the other, and offered a cigarette to Astrid Giles, who waved it off.

Dirk Carter lit it.

Took a harsh drag, exhaled smoke rings, and said, "Mayor Giles, with the Majestic Peak Town Dance Troupe, there's a woman named Polly Linden. I believe you know her, don't you?"

"Polly Linden? I don't know her."

Astrid Giles replied.

Dirk Carter smiled faintly.

Said, "Mayor Giles, you truly seem to forget things easily, but that's alright, I have a photo."

After speaking.

He took out a photograph from his pocket.

Placed it on the stone table, pushing it toward Astrid Giles.

This was a photo of Polly Linden.

In the photo, she appeared youthful and charming, an undeniable beauty.

Said, "At the dinner table, there were four women in total, three brought by Brent Lowell, and you yourself, Mayor Giles. While investigating Polly Linden's case, I always targeted eligible men, collected numerous photos for those other two women to identify, but there was no result. After today's events, I presented a photo of you for those two present women to identify, and guess what they said?"

"What did they say?"

Astrid Giles asked.

Dirk Carter took a deep breath.

Said, "They said you were present at the dinner table then."

This response.

Made Astrid Giles's cheek muscles twitch.

It was evident.

She was a bit nervous.

"So what? I merely had dinner with Brent Lowell; what does Polly Linden's death have to do with me?"

"Mayor Giles, I never mentioned Polly Linden was dead. Even though the case is under investigation, it's currently considered a disappearance, not death."

Dirk Carter suddenly said seriously.

If Astrid Giles was only nervous before.

Right now, her expression was entirely stiffened.

Moreover, it was apparent that her breathing began to become rapid.

A woman capable of becoming executive vice mayor is undoubtedly no ordinary person.

And in merely a moment.

Astrid Giles's expression began to relax.

She calmly sat facing Dirk Carter.

Said, "Comrade Dirk Carter, can the words of two girls serve as evidence to accuse me?"

Upon saying this.

Dirk Carter could already confirm two things.

First, Polly Linden is indeed dead.

Second, Polly Linden's death is indeed connected to Astrid Giles.

Initially, the screening almost went through every leader in Novaria State and Silverwood City, of course, the lengthy list included only men.

Who could have thought the real link to Polly Linden's death would be a female officer?

Even the sister accompanying Polly Linden didn't imagine such an outcome.

"It can't!"

Dirk Carter paused and said.

Astrid Giles continued, "Since it can't, what does it indicate? I admit going to Brent Lowell's dinner. After his capture, I reported this matter to the organization. I didn't take a penny from him; you can investigate that, and if any evidence is found, there's no need for you to report; I, Astrid Giles, will surrender to the State Commission for Discipline Inspection myself."

"Mayor Giles, doesn't your conscience hurt? That was a living soul."

Dirk Carter sighed heavily and asked.

Astrid Giles smiled faintly.

Said, "Secretary General Carter, don't try to pry words from me. The one attempting to harm you is Lane Quincy, and the one who ordered the assassination of Brent Lowell is Lane Quincy. Polly Linden's death seems to have a significant connection to him, not a bit to me."

After speaking.

She paused, muttering, "Brent Lowell has a loose tongue, but it doesn't matter; he doesn't know anything crucial anyway."

These words, outwardly criticizing Brent Lowell.

In truth, they were hinting at Dirk Carter.

Even if Brent Lowell were turned over to him, nothing incriminating against her could be gleaned from his lips.

Dirk Carter shook his head, said, "Brent Lowell is indeed tight-lipped; he didn't disclose your name. I deduced it myself."

Astrid Giles was taken aback.

Asked with a questioning gaze, "You deduced it? How's that possible?"

"Indeed, initially I didn't associate this matter with you, nor did anyone on the supervision team conceive such an idea. Before Secretary Quincy was arrested, I called him, and certain details from that call hinted to me that you are the so-called 'great leader'."

Dirk Carter said.