Chapter 11 Dragged into the Hummer

• The next afternoon, the conference room in the Major Crimes Unit building was so silent that you could hear a pin drop. Everyone was at a loss.
• As the lead officer on the case, Superintendent Joseph Daves gathered the materials in front of him. "If there are no further comments, we'll adjourn. Continue to follow up on the recent list of missing women tonight. We must identify the victims."
• Just as everyone was yawning and preparing to leave the conference room, a figure slowly stood up from the corner.
• "I have a question."
• Dressed in a white lab coat with one hand in her pocket, Elsie exuded an air of calm confidence.
• As Elsie stood, her colleagues glanced at her, whispering among themselves.
• "A new face. Never seen her before. A newbie in the forensic department?"
• "Are new graduates this bold nowadays? So many seasoned veterans have nothing to add, and this young girl thinks she does?"
• "I'd like to hear what she has to say!"
• Yvette and Bradley exchanged glances and instantly understood each other's thoughts. Newbie? They should prepare for our boss to prove them wrong.
• Elsie paid no mind to the chatter around her. She walked over to Joseph, squatted down, and picked up a piece of paper, which had a noticeable black footprint on it.
• "Besides the autopsy report, I also handwrote some notes, but it seems someone treated them as trash."
• Her voice wasn't loud, but each word was clear and assertive, her eyes sharp and penetrating.
• In front of everyone, Joseph's face showed some embarrassment, but he remained indifferent. "Give me the notes, and I'll look at them."
• "If it was treated as trash once, it can be treated as trash again." Elsie brushed the dust off the paper with her small hand.
• "Autopsies are not just about determining the time of death and extracting DNA information. I have already stitched up the bodies of the two female victims. Although their faces were unrecognisable, their physical features indicated they were married, lived comfortably, and frequently visited high-end beauty salons.
• "Matching this information, only three names fit from the missing persons' list. Considering the victims' ages, only two names fit: Kay Madron and Serena Silva. You should contact their families for DNA confirmation.
• "The investigation team needs to intensify efforts to find the third missing woman and rescue her before she falls victim. This killer's technique is precise and ruthless, showing no compassion, and he is a serial offender with a typical antisocial personality. If we don't capture him quickly, more women will be harmed."
• Finished, Elsie calmly placed the notes in front of Joseph.
• Joseph quickly scanned the notes, realising that Elsie had indeed narrowed down a list of hundreds to just two.
• "Since I just joined and this dismemberment case came up, I haven't had a chance to introduce myself." Elsie's gaze was steady. "Special forensic consultant for the Major Crimes Unit, Elsie Simmons. I look forward to working with you all."
• With Elsie's introduction, the conference room instantly buzzed with excitement.
• "I thought she'd be a forty-something woman, but she's so young!"
• "Does her analysis mean we don't have to slog through that list of over a hundred names?"
• "Oh my God! She's our saviour from endless late nights!"
• Elsie didn't care about their doubts or their praise.
• "I've said all I needed to about the forensics. I'm leaving now. I hope you all continue to work hard so I can have fewer late nights."
• Her lips curled into a slight, enigmatic smile, and her clear almond eyes sparkled like autumn water.
• The colleagues watched Elsie's decisive back, and none thought she was arrogant.
• Wow, she's amazing!
• Who cares if she's in her twenties?
• Looking at the entire Major Crimes Unit, who else could be as sharp, cutting down on countless sleepless nights and gaining so much valuable time for solving cases?
• In the locker room, Elsie had just changed out of her lab coat when she got a call from her youngest son, Joel.
• "Mommy, have you forgotten about me again because you're busy?" Although Joel was complaining, his tone was full of warmth. "It's okay if you forget about me, but don't forget to eat and rest. I made chicken soup for you. It'll be ready when you get home."
• Thinking of Joel's cooking, Elsie couldn't help but kiss the phone.
• "My darling, I love you so much!"
• "Mommy, I love you too."
• Joel reminded Elsie to take care of herself a few more times before reluctantly hanging up.
• "Boss, was that your boyfriend on the phone?" Yvette asked curiously, having overheard the term "darling."
• Boyfriend?
• Elsie laughed and patted Yvette's shoulder. "Yvette, I have more than one darling."
• Yvette was stunned. Oh my gosh! First, Leonel sends her takeout, and now she has multiple sweethearts?
• Elsie left the locker room and exited the Major Crimes Unit compound.
• She had barely taken a few steps when a shiny Hummer pulled up beside her.
• The door opened, and a familiar scent of pine and cypress wafted to her nose, making Elsie pause.
• This scent was so similar to the one that had captivated her five years ago ...
• Suddenly, the feeling of her consciousness being overwhelmed resurfaced.
• Her wolf, Daphne, who had been silent for over five years, reappeared!
• Daphne's voice was weak but clearly excited.
• "Elsie, I sensed him! The man in the car, it's him!"