Chapter 392

Evelyn Carter lifted her gaze to meet Harrison Whitmore's. "You mentioned there were two survivors. Was there someone else besides Juliette Blackwood?"

Harrison gave a slow nod. "Indeed. A young man in his twenties from Pamore."

"Pamore?"

Evelyn's pulse quickened, an inexplicable connection tugging at her. "Could you tell me his name?"

With an apologetic smile, Harrison shook his head. "I'm afraid that information is confidential."

The refusal left Evelyn with a sinking disappointment.

A male survivor from Pamore. Even if he shared her hometown, what connection could he possibly have to Juliette?

Just then, realization dawned on Harrison. "You said there were three fatalities. Besides Juliette's parents, can you share details about the third victim?"

Harrison saw no reason to withhold this information.

"The third victim was also from Pamore - a young woman, likely the man's girlfriend. She sustained severe facial burns, nearly two-thirds of her face destroyed."

"The young man was inconsolable after her death. He even refused medical treatment, but the doctors managed to save him."

A startling possibility took shape in Evelyn's mind.

A car accident. Burns. A young woman. Could these all be mere coincidences?

Evelyn and Harrison exchanged knowing glances, their thoughts clearly aligned.

The pieces were falling into place, the truth emerging from the shadows.

"Do you have any records about the deceased woman?" Evelyn pressed.

Harrison sighed. "She was a foreign national. You'd need to contact her country's embassy. But after all these years, records may be lost."

Disappointment flickered in Evelyn's eyes.

"Mr. Whitmore, any further questions?"

Harrison stepped closer, his gaze steady. "Don't lose heart. We're making progress."

Evelyn met his eyes, her determination hardening. "Harrison, we need to investigate that woman's background. Contact her family. There might be answers there."

She had a theory forming, but it felt too fragile to voice aloud. She needed proof.

"Officer Whitaker," Evelyn asked suddenly, "how can you be certain the survivor is Juliette Blackwood?"

Harrison frowned at the odd question. "Ms. Carter, one doesn't mistake their own identity. We conducted DNA tests on the deceased - the matches were conclusive."

If that were true, none of this made sense.

Harrison extended his hand politely. "Thank you, Officer Whitaker. You've been most helpful."

With a curt nod, Harrison shook his hand. "If that's all, I'll take my leave."

"Callum, please see Officer Whitaker out."

Callum Blackwood quickly gestured toward the door. "Right this way, Officer."

Once they'd left, Evelyn turned to Harrison. "Something's not adding up here."

"What are you thinking?"

Evelyn pressed her lips together before speaking. "My initial thought was that the real Juliette died, and the current Juliette might be that other woman from the accident."

"An identity swap. But Harrison said they did DNA testing."

Which confirmed the survivor was indeed Juliette.

But then... what about those design sketches?