Lawrence met Wolf's request. He covertly gestured towards the one-way mirror of the interrogation room.
In the next moment, the previously inert camera in the interrogation room began to blink. That was right—before this, the surveillance hadn't been activated at all!
Lawrence sat down again, his expression serious. "Mr. Wolf, you have the right to remain silent. If you choose not to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to consult with an attorney before speaking to the police and to have an attorney present during questioning now or in the future. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you before any questioning, if you wish. Do you understand these rights as I have explained them to you?"
This was the first time Dean had heard this speech, and he was momentarily distracted. This was the 'Miranda Warning,' an essential part of the interrogation process, ensuring the legality of the subsequent questioning and confession. Dean never imagined that he, once a criminal, would one day, in another time and space, find himself on the side of the law, reciting these words to someone else alongside his colleagues. The feeling was strange, yet exhilarating.
Through the smoky haze, Wolf said, his head down and his voice low, "Yes, I understand. I don't need a lawyer. Let's start."
"What is your relationship with Ms. Lily?"
"She was my wife," Wolf replied. "The woman I loved most in my life."
"Where were you when Ms. Lily was harmed?"
Wolf fell silent for a moment. Then, his hands trembling, he lit another cigarette and took a deep drag before calmly saying, "I was in the hotel room. The same room where I lost Lily. I killed Lily!"
"You admit you killed Ms. Lily?"
"Yes."
"Can you tell me why?"
"...I can."
Wolf's eyes lost focus. "I met Lily three years ago. She was so young and full of life, and she captivated me, even though I was nearly fifty...
"Lily didn't scorn me. She believed love wasn't constrained by age.
"I was touched, and our relationship grew stronger from there, until I proposed..."
The story was melodramatic yet realistic: an older man with a younger wife. Wolf deeply loved Lily, but she now wanted a divorce. After consulting a lawyer, Wolf discovered the devastating truth. He wouldn't just lose half his property; due to relevant laws, he might also have to pay Lily alimony for over ten years, or until she found a job or remarried.
It was a desperate situation. He had been manipulated!
Then, Wolf saw news reports online about a recent, sensational series of home invasion rape-murders. The crime descriptions were so vivid they felt immersive. So, under the pretext of enjoying one last vacation together, he booked a hotel room...
Afterward, Wolf confessed to the detailed process of the crime. Once the forensics department finished analyzing the evidence and confirmed it matched his confession, the Robbery and Homicide Division could prosecute Wolf for murder.
「The interrogation concluded.」
Wolf was taken away and detained.
Dean, Lawrence, and Harry huddled in the conference room, wreathed in cigarette smoke.
"Marriage is terrifying," Harry said, still shaken. "I almost proposed to a girl last year. Now, seeing Wolf's fate, I'm glad I didn't act impulsively."
Dean smiled but remained silent.
The marriage laws in the United States weren't particularly favorable to most men, it was true, but perhaps not as dire as Harry made out. Besides, many wealthy individuals signed prenuptial agreements. Wolf had simply been completely outmaneuvered by Lily.
Lawrence showed no interest in joining the conversation. He sat alone in a corner, smoking furiously, his face a mask of conflict and worry.
Seeing this, Harry clapped a hand to his forehead. "Sorry, Lawrence. I forgot about you—our resident unlucky divorcee. I shouldn't have dredged up painful memories."
"Get lost! Don't bother me!" Lawrence glared fiercely at Harry, then pushed the door open and stalked out, disappearing from the office.
Harry looked at Dean, bewildered. "Is Lawrence angry?"
In his experience, Lawrence wasn't usually so sensitive.
Dean nodded. "Yes, but it probably has nothing to do with your teasing. Don't worry about it, Harry. How's your investigation going?"
When the topic shifted to the case, Harry became animated. "Someone saw the short guy! They called in anonymously with accurate information. Deputy Hunter has already taken Phoebe and the others to apprehend him. We should have results by tonight."
"Oh?" Dean raised his eyebrows. An anonymous phone call? Interesting! That's good. If the short guy really is the killer, then another case can be closed. If he's just a smokescreen, then it would confirm my suspicions, and Laura's operation would be all the more significant and necessary! Either way, this signifies a breakthrough in the serial home invasion rape-murders!
「Back at the office.」
Lawrence was nowhere to be found.
Meanwhile, good news arrived from the forensics department. The red substance found in the last victim's body had been identified as a mixture of tomato juice and red pigment. That wasn't the crucial part. The key was that, within these substances, they had found genetic material—sperm!
"Wow, guys, we're in luck! The database has a record of the sperm donor," Daisy said, printing a document from the computer and handing it to Dean and Harry.
Lawrence's whereabouts were unknown, and he wasn't answering his phone. Deputy Hunter's team hadn't returned yet either. This meant Harry and Dean would have to handle it.
"The sperm belongs to a man named Oren. He's an ex-convict, jailed for a year for indecent exposure. His current address is in the Ize District," Daisy explained, stroking the sheet mask on her face. She then added, "It's a nice place; I've been there with friends."
"Alright." Harry clapped Dean on the shoulder. "Let's go, rookie."
"Sure thing, old-timer!" Dean shot back good-naturedly, making Daisy laugh so hard her face mask nearly fell off.
「Arriving in the Ize District.」
Following the information, Dean and Harry found themselves outside a grocery store.
Harry stopped Dean, who was about to go straight in. "Buddy, remember this: many ex-cons are either terrified of cops or absolutely hate them. If you don't want to get yourself killed for no reason, be careful how you approach them."
With that, Harry pulled open his jacket, revealing the bulletproof vest underneath. He gave Dean a smugly raised eyebrow and then led the way.
Dean touched the vest under his own jacket, a slight smile playing on his lips. This guy wasn't bad. He didn't refuse Harry's well-intentioned warning, merely resting his right hand on his holster. If anything seemed off, Dean could draw his gun in an instant, empty the magazine, and stage a spectacular American-style quick-draw.
The grocery store sold a variety of second-hand items acquired through various channels, offered at discounted prices that appealed to the general public.
Yet, business here was clearly slow. The large shop was deserted.
Only at the counter, a gaunt young man sat with his head down, one hand holding a Playboy magazine, the other hidden beneath the counter, clearly engrossed.
This was their target, Oren.
Harry took out his detective badge and stepped forward. "Hello, Oren. LAPD."
He only identified himself as LAPD, not specifically as a detective from the Robbery and Homicide Division.
Dean mentally filed that away. It was a useful tactic. Some criminals could guess the nature of a visit just from the introduction, allowing them to put up their mental defenses.
Oren didn't even look up, but the hand hidden by the counter quickened its pace.
"FUCK! Stand down!" Harry yelled, tensing instantly. He drew his gun from his pocket, aimed it at Oren, and ordered, "Don't move!"
"PHEW..." Oren's body twitched twice, a look of blissful relief spreading across his face. Only then did he look up at the tense Harry. "Hey, buddy, relax. I was just jerking off. C'MON, don't tell me it's a crime to whack it in my own shop."
As he spoke, he carefully brought his sticky hand up from under the counter, along with a specially made glass jar, placing them in front of Dean and Harry as proof of his innocence.
He really had been masturbating, and he'd even collected his... essence.
Harry was speechless. He glanced awkwardly at Dean. "I just... reacted a bit too quickly."
Dean shrugged, a silent smile on his face.