The Captain I Married by Chance novel Chapter 344

"Combining this with Laura's statement, Evelyn had indeed been suffering from domestic violence, which resulted in a miscarriage," Nora stated grimly. "And it happened more than once."

She clicked to the next slide, displaying photos of horrifying, overlapping scars. Several officers grimaced, turning their heads. No matter how many gruesome cases they worked, the sheer cruelty of domestic abuse always struck a heavy chord. It was baffling. If they had been as deeply in love as Evelyn once claimed, how had it devolved into such brutality?

"I'm not just showing you this to validate Laura's testimony. I want to highlight a very specific forensic detail."

Nora circled a minor note on the report.

"Evelyn's thumb had previously been shattered by blunt force trauma and surgically reset. Although it healed well on the surface, whether from muscle memory or lingering psychological trauma, her thumb had developed a distinct inward curl. It was a subconscious habit, especially prominent when she gripped or touched objects."

She rewound the first two surveillance videos, pausing exactly at the moment Evelyn stepped out of the vehicle.

"Look here. This is Evelyn's habitual motion. Her thumb naturally hooks inward, resting flat against the metal. Because of the nerve damage and the curl, she unconsciously strokes the door frame every time she touches it."

Comprehension dawned across the officers' faces.

"So that's what you were tracking!"

"Exactly. Now, look at the final video."

The footage from the hospital parking garage played again. This time, in stark high definition, everyone clearly saw that the "Evelyn" in this clip lacked that specific tic. Her thumb didn't hook inward, and she certainly didn't stroke the door.

"No wonder you said there were two Evelyns! They really aren't the same person! But... if that wasn't Evelyn, who drove Laura to the hospital parking lot?"

Whoever it was clearly knew the intricate details of the girls' plan and had executed it perfectly. A close friend, perhaps?

"Bring everyone who had recent contact with Evelyn back in for questioning," Nathan ordered, standing up. His predatory gaze hardened. "Put the heat on Liam Jennings."

The culprit had actually attempted to smuggle the corpse out through the precinct's rear exit using a garbage truck. Fortunately, Nathan had anticipated the move and set a trap.

"Let's go take a look," Nora said.

"Did the smuggler confess?"

Nathan shook his head. "Not much, but he'll crack soon." Moving a stolen corpse was a massive felony; it was only a matter of time before the bribe money wasn't enough to buy his silence.

"Then we wait."

Shortly after, Mr. Lawson, the Tates, and Liam Jennings were escorted back into the precinct.

Three interrogation rooms lit up simultaneously. Standing in the shadows behind the two-way glass, Nora and Nathan silently observed their suspects.