Chapter 224: Auntie, I Need to See You About Something, Open the Door

Chapter 224: Chapter 224: Auntie, I Need to See You About Something, Open the Door

Evan Keller spoke as he slid his ID through the gap in the gate.

The woman took the ID and looked at it, then pushed it back. Her tone remained wary. "Sorry, I don’t know how to read this. Why are you here?"

’Would the police show up in the middle of the night?’

’It just felt so strange.’

Just as Evan Keller was wondering how to explain, the sound of screeching brakes came from behind them, followed by the sound of a man jogging toward them.

Sean Hughes and the others instantly went on alert, their heads whipping around to look behind them.

They saw a man also in a police uniform running over.

After getting a clear look at the man’s face and build, Zoe Sawyer said in a low voice, "Not the killer. The killer is shorter and heavier."

"Captain Keller?" The man stopped a short distance from Evan Keller, his voice hesitant.

’It’s the local officer on duty who gave us the specific address on the phone earlier!’

Evan Keller quickly recognized his voice, matching it to the person from the phone call.

"That’s me. You got here just in time. Please help us verify our identities," Evan Keller said, sighing in relief.

’The victim’s family would obviously trust a local officer more than them. With him vouching for them, they should be able to resolve this quickly.’

As he spoke, Evan Keller handed his ID to the officer.

The officer checked it, and after confirming it was authentic, he walked to the iron gate and said, "Aunt Wallace, it’s me, Ben Miller, Wade Miller’s eldest son from the edge of the village. They really are police officers. It’s safe to open the gate."

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Aunt Wallace finally opened the gate a little.

Only after confirming it was Ben Miller did she let out a sigh of relief and open the gate fully, apologizing profusely. "I’m so sorry. I didn’t know, so I didn’t dare open up for you."

"We understand, we understand. It’s good to be safety-conscious." Zoe Sawyer and her team walked into the yard, and the large yellow dog, soothed by Aunt Wallace, stopped barking.

"What happens next is a bit complicated. Since you’re here, why don’t you push your motorcycle inside," Evan Keller said to Ben Miller, who was about to leave. After a moment’s thought, he decided to have him stay.

’Even though they’d verified their identities, Aunt Wallace was still very nervous. Having a familiar face around should help a lot.’

Sure enough, upon hearing Evan Keller’s words, Aunt Wallace nodded repeatedly. "That’s right, Ben. You should stay and listen too."

Since she put it that way, Ben Miller didn’t refuse. He pushed his motorcycle into the yard.

At Evan Keller’s signal, he parked the motorcycle on the other side of the house to ensure anyone entering wouldn’t see it.

"Why are you all here so late? Is something wrong?" Aunt Wallace’s expression was uneasy. Then, as if a thought struck her, her face filled with terror. "Don’t tell me something’s happened to my son?!"

"No, no, please don’t worry, Ma’am," Sean Hughes said, quickly stepping forward and patting Aunt Wallace’s back reassuringly.

Evan Keller looked at Aunt Wallace and stated his purpose directly. "We received a tip that someone is disgruntled with your family and plans to kill you."

The news was just as shocking to Ben Miller. His face darkened as he asked, "So, you’re here to lie in wait and catch the person when they show up?"

Evan Keller nodded. "He hasn’t made a move yet, so we have no grounds to arrest him. If we want a conviction, we have to wait for him to act, then subdue him before he can hurt anyone."

"That way, we can convict him of attempted murder, which will put him away for a few years at least."

"If we grab him the moment he enters the yard, the killer will have a million excuses."

"Since no one would be hurt, he’d probably just get off with a verbal warning."

"And if that happens, Aunt Wallace’s family will have to keep living under his shadow."

"We can’t be here to protect you around the clock. He could decide to try again whenever we’re not looking."

"Next time, you might not be so lucky to have Zoe Sawyer find out in time."

’It’s better to solve this once and for all.’

Ben Miller also understood the stakes. He nodded to Aunt Wallace beside him, his voice tinged with resignation. "Aunt Wallace, they’re telling the truth. This really is the best way to handle it."

"Don’t worry, Ma’am. We will definitely protect you. We won’t let him actually hurt you," Sean Hughes added reassuringly.

They wouldn’t have made a plan like this without taking every precaution to prevent any accidents.

Aunt Wallace wasn’t a fool. She quickly understood the logic, though her expression was still hesitant as she patted her chest. "But... our family hasn’t offended anyone. Why would a murderer be targeting us?"

’Her family hadn’t offended anyone!’

"Do you know Leo?" Zoe Sawyer asked.

Aunt Wallace nodded. "Of course. He’s a good friend of my son’s. They’ve known each other since elementary school, and they’ve always had a great relationship.

"My son works out of town, and Leo comes over from time to time to visit us and help with heavy chores."

Just as she finished speaking, Aunt Wallace realized the implication. For the police to suddenly bring up a specific person under these circumstances...

...the meaning was obvious.

Just as she was about to ask another question, Heath Hale, who was sitting next to Zoe Sawyer, spoke up. "Ma’am, we can explain everything after we’ve caught him.

"For now, we need you to bring the big yellow dog inside. It wouldn’t be good if the killer decides to go after it."

"Ah? Oh, oh, okay." Aunt Wallace was still reeling from the shocking news that Leo could be the killer.

Hearing Heath Hale’s words, she moved robotically, going out to lead the big yellow dog from the yard back into her room.

Afterward, Zoe Sawyer’s team split up to take their positions.

Evan Keller and Heath Hale each took a few people and hid on either side of the first-floor living room door, ready to appear and subdue the killer the moment he made a move.

Ben Miller went with Sean Hughes to hide by the staircase, ready to provide backup at a moment’s notice.

Zoe Sawyer took Barry Quinn and Monkey to hide in Aunt Wallace’s room.

Once everyone was in position, the lights on the first floor were turned off.

During this time, Aunt Wallace went upstairs to comfort her daughter-in-law, who had been woken up. She told her not to open the door no matter what she heard, not until she came up and called for her personally.

As the minutes and seconds ticked by, everyone’s nerves grew tighter.

Half an hour later, the CREAK of the iron gate being pushed open echoed from the yard, exceptionally clear in the dead of night.

’He’s here!’

Aunt Wallace, who had been sitting stunned on the edge of her bed ever since she heard the news, couldn’t help but tremble.

’Was someone really here to kill her family in the middle of the night?!’

’Why would Leo do this?’

’How had her family ever wronged him?!’

"Where’d that damn dog go? Whatever, if it’s not here, it’s not here. It’s not important," a man’s confused voice said from the yard.

Zoe Sawyer patted Barry Quinn’s arm, signaling that this was indeed the killer.

Barry Quinn nodded to show he understood.

"Auntie, I need to talk to you about something. Open up..."