Chapter 275: Search

Chapter 275: Chapter 275: Search

The little boy looked reluctant. Although he didn’t fully understand, he knew they were about to talk about his mother.

But seeing the serious expressions on his grandparents’ faces, the boy eventually pouted and slowly walked into the living room.

Once they heard sounds from inside and could no longer see the boy’s figure lingering in the doorway, Evan Keller looked at the elderly couple before him. He chose his words carefully before speaking. "Ma’am, you must have heard about the body found in the mountains these past few days, haven’t you?"

The Blind Matron started to nod, but then she recalled what Zoe Sawyer and the others had just said. Her entire body went rigid, her voice filled with disbelief. "Are you saying that body... is Daisy Lawson?"

’That body, its skin so decomposed it was unrecognizable... was Daisy Lawson?’

When she first heard people talking about it, she had lamented what a terrible fate that poor soul had suffered, unable to even find peace in death.

’To think, the person I was pitying back then was my own daughter-in-law!’

The old man’s expression was also filled with disbelief. His hands gripped the armrests of his wheelchair, his body trembling with agitation.

Although they had mentally prepared themselves for the possibility that something had happened to Daisy Lawson, they never imagined an end this tragic.

"Yes. We just confirmed her identity, so we’ve come to you now to learn more about the situation." Evan Keller’s tone was heavy, but despite his reluctance, he answered the Blind Matron’s question firmly.

The Blind Matron’s cloudy eyes instantly turned red as tears streamed from them.

’My poor child...’

The old man’s hands trembled uncontrollably. He reached for the tobacco pipe beside him but couldn’t get a firm grip on it.

In a final burst of anger, he threw the pipe to the ground and began pounding on his own legs, which had long been devoid of feeling.

Neither of the old couple dared to cry aloud, afraid of attracting the attention of the little boy inside.

Zoe Sawyer and the others sat to one side, silently watching it all unfold.

Just then, Evan Keller’s phone rang.

He took it out and saw it was a call from the officer he’d tasked with tracing Daisy Lawson’s movements.

Evan Keller nodded to the Blind Matron, then stepped out into the courtyard to take the call.

"Captain Keller, I’ve got the information you asked for.

"Daisy Lawson came here a month ago by bus. She then went to the hospital for a physical, obtained a health certificate, and scheduled several job interviews.

"However, according to those companies and the hospital, Daisy Lawson never showed up for the interviews, and she didn’t pick up her health certificate, either. After that, there are no more purchase records or travel records for her."

As for surveillance footage, there’s just too much of it. They couldn’t possibly review all the clips involving Daisy Lawson in such a short time.

He was also worried you were in a hurry, Captain Keller, so he rushed to call and report as soon as he found this much."

"Alright, I understand. Good work." Evan Keller nodded, exchanged a few more words, and then hung up.

The moment he hung up, another call came in—it was Sean Hughes.

"Evan, I found a man who’s a very close match to the suspect’s description. However, he suddenly quit his job two weeks ago, saying he was going to head out and try to make a name for himself. He’s already left the province; bought a train ticket to another region.

"I had someone check—the destination is over a thousand kilometers away from here." Sean Hughes quickly relayed the information they had found.

’Two weeks ago, a sudden resignation, a destination over a thousand kilometers away...’

’Putting all these factors together in the context of Daisy Lawson’s case... it was all just too convenient to be a coincidence.’

’But, there’s one more thing I need to verify.’

"What’s this man’s name? Send me his complete file—home address and a photo," Evan Keller said, his voice urgent.

Sean Hughes wasted no time, quickly sending over the files Evan Keller had requested.

Looking at the photo from Sean Hughes, Evan Keller covered the man’s hair and lower face with his hand. The visible portion was a perfect match for Zoe Sawyer’s description.

"Owen Fletcher?"

Evan Keller stared at the name, murmuring it aloud, then looked down at the man’s file.

Owen Fletcher. Unmarried. Parents deceased.

Evan Keller stared at Owen Fletcher’s home address, recalling the file he’d seen on Old Man Lawson.

’The two addresses are very close!’

Without wasting a moment, Evan Keller quickly called the colleague who was at Old Man Lawson’s place.

Once the call connected, they exchanged their latest information. Then, Evan Keller asked, "What’s the name of the man Old Man Lawson wanted to set Daisy Lawson up with? Did you manage to find out?"

"Yeah, his name is Owen Fletcher. But according to Old Man Lawson, while this Owen Fletcher was angry about being rejected, he didn’t make a fuss about it later on.

"Two weeks ago, he said he was heading out to try his luck elsewhere. He even had a drink with Old Man Lawson before he left." The officer quickly relayed what he’d found to Evan Keller.

Evan Keller’s eyes lit up. ’It all connects!’

Now, Evan Keller was eighty percent certain that Owen Fletcher was the killer.

’But right now, it’s all just speculation. I still need to search Owen Fletcher’s house. Maybe we can find a clue there.’

Time was of the essence. After getting his thoughts in order, Evan Keller quickly called Director Lennox, updated him on their progress, and requested a search warrant.

Special circumstances required special procedures.

The search warrant for Evan Keller was approved quickly.

Evan Keller strode back into the courtyard, gave a brief explanation to the old couple sitting there, and then led Zoe Sawyer and the other three toward Owen Fletcher’s residence.

Listening to the fading footsteps, the Blind Matron gripped her husband’s arm, her voice filled with regret. "If I’d known, I never would have let her go... Now, how are we going to explain this to our grandson!"

Just last night, the boy had asked her why his mommy hadn’t called yet, wondering if she was just too busy with work.

She hadn’t known how to answer him.

The old man sighed, took his wife’s hand, and said comfortingly, "Let’s wait until the police have caught the killer. Then we can explain everything to him properly."

The Blind Matron felt helpless, but for now, it was all they could do.

Meanwhile, Evan Keller and his team of five rushed over and finally arrived in front of Owen Fletcher’s house.

The other officer also made a call, summoning the rest of his team.

They couldn’t possibly search an entire house with just a few people.

Besides, the sooner they searched and found evidence, the sooner they could apprehend their man.

Meanwhile, Old Man Lawson stood cowering to one side. Next to him was another man, clutching a phone with a frenzied look on his face.

"Here we are. This is Owen Fletcher’s house," the officer said, pointing to the building in front of them.

Evan Keller nodded and led Zoe Sawyer and the other three inside.

Owen Fletcher’s yard was a mess. Things were strewn about everywhere. It was obvious the owner had left in a hurry, with no time to even think about tidying up.

"Find a burlap sack!"