The Bride Beneath the Roses Chapter 8

The person who reported it was a nearby resident. He said that while out for a morning walk, he saw the collapsed wall and heard dogs barking. When he approached, he discovered human bones in the pit.

This bungalow was rather dilapidated, obviously uninhabited for a long time. Moreover, several neighboring houses were also locked—reportedly the residents had left for work elsewhere. We could only bring the skeletal remains back to the station for examination.

The deceased was a young woman, approximately 5'3" tall, between 25-28 years old at death, dead for about five years.

We extracted DNA from the bones and searched missing persons cases from the past five years in our files.

Based on age and height, we identified 6 people. We contacted the missing persons' families and conducted DNA comparisons, but unfortunately, all were ruled out.

Later, Wendy suggested using online news to help the bones find relatives and see if anyone would come forward to claim them.

Sure enough, the next day an elderly couple came to the station. They said their daughter had been missing for five years. Because their daughter's former boyfriend said she'd gone south for work, they hadn't reported it. But over five years, their daughter's phone was disconnected, and they'd gone south searching with no results.

We quickly conducted a DNA comparison with them. The results confirmed these bones were their daughter who'd been missing for five years.

Upon learning the results, the elderly couple wept uncontrollably. The old woman was so distressed she fainted.

While consoling the elderly couple, I received a call from Derek.

When I answered, Derek said calmly: "Detective Woods? My car's brakes suddenly failed. I hit and killed someone. I'm turning myself in voluntarily and willing to compensate the victim's family. Red Flag Road. I hope you'll handle this case."

Hearing this, I became inexplicably angry: "Derek, you killer! I'm sure you did this deliberately."

"Ha! Detective Woods, solving cases requires evidence. The traffic police are already here. I'm waiting for you."

Derek hung up. I told the captain, then rushed to Red Flag Road with Wendy.

The victim was a delivery driver named Tom Reed, thirty years old.

Derek's car was examined and confirmed to have brake failure. After hitting the person, his car crashed into a roadside utility pole before stopping. The car was severely damaged, the windshield shattered, and Derek's forehead was cut by glass.

I told the Red Flag Road traffic police that Derek was involved in other cases. After some negotiation, we brought Derek back to the station again and handcuffed him.

"Premeditated murder? Derek, you're finished this time."

In the interrogation room, I said viciously to Derek.

Who knew Derek would laugh instead of getting angry. He said: "Detective Woods, my brakes really failed. I don't know the deceased. Look, I'm injured too. I said I'll compensate the victim's family."

"Really? Derek, you plan to use the compensation money from the renovation company for Lily and the money from selling Lily's house to settle this traffic accident? You're such scum. But as far as I know, you not only knew the deceased Tom Reed, you even had a conflict with him because you once suspected Lily was having an affair with this delivery driver."

As soon as I said this, Derek immediately retorted: "Nonsense! You're talking nonsense! Lincoln Woods, if you dare continue spouting nonsense, I'll sue you for slander."