Chapter 1023
Charlotte spoke randomly.
However, Darwin's expression changed instantly. His gaze immediately turned sharp as he looked at Burl.
A chill ran down Burl's spine, and he spoke in a deep voice, "We were playing in the pavilion by
the small lake when Chicago said she smelled something awful. I took a closer sniff, and indeed, there was a foul stench. At first, I thought it was some dead animal in the lake, so I instinctively looked around."
Burl guessed he would never forget that scene for the rest of his life.
He first saw a fertile patch of ground with some flies buzzing around.
He walked over instinctively. And then he saw, beneath the cover of water plants, a swollen, bluish human foot.
"Did Chicago see it?" Darwin's face grew even darker.
"No, as soon as I saw it, I turned around and blocked the kids' view. I picked up Chicago and dragged Charles back with me," Burl hurriedly explained, then glanced at the calm Charlotte. "Charlotte, you were close to me the whole time. Did you also notice something off about that smell?"
"I knew it was the stench of a corpse, so I sent Chicago, Charles, and Ethan to the other side to look," Charlotte replied, "I know who the deceased is!"
"Do you know?" Burl was shocked and suddenly thought of something. "Did you do it?"
Charlotte looked at him with clear eyes. "I'm just an ordinary child now; I don't kill people."
Burl fell silent. He instinctively harbored a bias against Charlotte.
"I've seen the pants on the corpse before," Charlotte continued, "It's Uncle Arnold, who disappeared two days ago."
"Has Arnold been missing for two days? How do you know that?" Burl was shocked and quickly messaged Kenny.
After discovering the body, he immediately messaged Kenny.
This time, he added the information that it was likely Arnold.
"My duty, besides being a good child, is to protect Charles and Chicago. Naturally, I observe the people around them closely. Arnold used to appear every morning, but he hasn't shown up yesterday or today," Charlotte explained.
Burl said, "You're amazing! If it really is Arnold, l will take you out for some dessert!"
"No need. Uncle Stuart says eating too much is bad for my health," Charlotte replied calmly, then glanced inside. "If the medical examiner doesn't arrive soon and you need to determine the cause of death, you can ask my father. He's very professional. I'll go in first."
With that, Charlotte walked away without waiting for Darwin and Burl's agreement.
"Leaving Charlotte here was the right decision!" Burl's face was pale, his lips purple, and his hand holding the phone was trembling. "When you were missing, a killer broke into the house and almost killed Charles and Chicago. It was all thanks to her that the killer was driven away, buying us time!"
As he spoke, Burl slapped himself. "I can't believe I just suspected her of murder. That was too much!"
"Alright," Darwin said, "Bring back all the security from the maternity care center. Before we leave the Walker family, ensure the safety of Fiona, Charles, and Chicago."
Burl said, "Understood. I've already called Christopher back!"
Christopher received the message. He immediately returned from the hospital with his team.
Kenny also came back with them. Upon learning about the situation, he quickly gathered people to cordon off the area.
The body was soon retrieved. It was indeed Arnold.
Christopher went with Kenny to examine the body first.
"The heat these past few days would accelerate the decomposition," Christopher said, covering his nose and mouth. Based on the size of the larvae on the body, he estimated. "He probably died the night before last. The state of the body doesn't suggest natural drowning. I suspect he was drugged and then pushed into the water while unconscious. It's likely a homicide. In this case, I can't move the body; we'll have to wait for the medical examiner to determine the cause of death."
Kenny's face was grim.
Yesterday, when Scarlet went to the maternity care center, she complained that Arnold had suddenly gone back to his hometown for some urgent matter.
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