Why would somebody commit arson?”

“As a result of once they see the flames engulfing all the things, they suppose they’re in management.  At first, it’s controlling the hearth, then he’ll wish to management life, and begin to homicide individuals.”

Contained in the burnt out manufacturing unit, Bo Jinyan is standing together with his palms at his again.  He seems on the ashes all around the flooring.  Jian Yao stands behind him.  She is inspecting each nook.  

All 5 circumstances occurred in several cities.  They’re closed circumstances.  Because of this they’re retaining their investigation confidential.

A police officer standing behind them explains: “The primary three circumstances occurred in empty parks in the midst of the night time or in residential homes.  Apart from the arsonist, there have been no different victims.  Nonetheless, from the fourth case onwards, harmless individuals have been killed.  Particularly this final case, three staff died within the blast.”

“So….” Bo Jinyan turns to have a look at him: “You solely seen the similarities after the fifth case.”

The officer nods.

Bo Jinyan has a sarcastic smile on his face: “I don’t purchase the ‘5 circumstances are related’ lie.  It’s apparent that the one who is behind all these circumstances modified his technique after the third case.  There are two causes for this: 1. He’s getting grasping.  2. He desires extra consideration.  I feel his subsequent step is to trigger an enormous explosion involving public transport.”

The officer is shocked.  He asks: “However how does he management the arsonists?”

“That’s the reply we’re on the lookout for.” Bo Jinyan says slowly.

He takes off his gloves and turns to Jian Yao: “Let’s go.”

Jian Yao catches up behind him: “We’ve been to all of the scenes.  Any discoveries?”

“No.  There’s nothing out of the abnormal.  All the required forensic work had been completed by the police.”

They step out of the manufacturing unit.  There are police automobiles all over the place.

Bo Jinyan pauses his steps and smiles at her: “Inform me, what ought to we doing subsequent?”

Jian Yao thinks for some time: “Since there’s no clue on the scenes.  I feel we must always have a look at the suicide notes.”

Bo Jinyan turns round and continues to stroll ahead.  He says with a flat voice as he’s strolling: “Good, seems like our frequent and passionate intercourse isn’t affecting your work.  You’re as sensible and environment friendly as standard.  Good.  Stick with it.”

Jian Yao: “……”

This man is sort of a modified man when he’s working. However…what a approach of constructing certain their non-public life isn’t affecting their work.

———————

The native police station.

Jian Yao and Bo Jinyan is sitting of their convention room.  The 5 suicide notes are on the desk, in addition to copies of different suicide notes.

It did not take Bo Jinyan very lengthy to learn via them.  He leans again on to the chair.  

Jian Yao fastidiously reads via each sentence.  She will get an increasing number of suspicious as she reads on.  

“These suicide notes… one thing is unsuitable.” She seems at Bo Jinyan.

He offers a chilly smile: ‘Sure, they’re very effectively written.”

Jian Yao understands what he means.  He doesn’t imply they’re very ‘effectively written’ that one can simply inform it’s faux.  It’s effectively written as a result of they very plausible! 

Firstly, the handwriting.  The strokes flowed easily.  They weren’t pressured in any respect.  Some writers have been getting emotional and their handwritings have been a bit more durable to learn.  The type of writing was very colloquial.  It’s stuffed with frustration and anger.  Every letter expressed they have been dissatisfied and hopeless with life, and they also determined to finish it with arson. Each letter was moderately prolonged.  Not one of the letters intentionally averted something, and every one written in a distinct private type.  

It ticks all of the bins for evaluating if a suicide word is real or not. Primarily based on what Bo Jinyan taught Jian Yao within the Wang Wan Wei case, it does appear to be these suicide notes will not be written below duress.  That is in all probability why not one of the cops have been suspicious earlier.  

However the query stays.  If there may be another person behind the arsons, how did he handle to get them to write down suicide notes willingly, and to commit arson after that?

“Humm…have a look at your confused little face.” He says in his low voice.  He’s taking a look at her with a smile. 

How can he all the time be so assured?

“I’m pondering.” Jian Yao snaps again. “Inform me.  What do you suppose?”

Bo Jinyan stands up.  At the moment, he’s sporting a darkish gray swimsuit.  He walks to the white board in entrance of the convention room.  He picks up a marker.  With each palms at his again, he seems at her: “Give me Conan Doyle’s quote on discovering solutions.  It’s quaint however it’s sensible and helpful.” 

Jian Yao solutions: “Eradicate the elements that aren’t doable, no matter is left behind, irrespective of how weird it appears, is the reality.” 

Bo Jinyan: “So, what are you so puzzled about. Simply analyse the scenario one step at a time. Okay?”

Jian Yao: “….okay okay!  Simply inform me.”  Despite the fact that they’re lovers, he all the time disparages her, by both criticising she isn’t sensible sufficient, or not proficient sufficient at her work…. However that’s okay.  she’s going to ignore his immaturity and conceitedness.

Bo Jinyan begins slowly: “I repeat what I stated beforehand, that there have to be somebody behind all these circumstances.”

The reason being easy: Despite the fact that all 5 arsonists have a motive, the likelihood of them selecting to commit their crime in the identical type, and all inside just a few days may be very low.  And the sequence of circumstances clearly signifies the evolution of a psychopath.”

“Sure,” Jian Yao says, “The potential of that may be very very low certainly.”   

“There’s a second likelihood.” says Bo Jinyan: “After they have been writing their suicide word, his thoughts managed them to write down in a mode he wished.  The widespread strategies together with medication, hypnosis, persuasion and so forth and so forth to create hallucination, and/or to affect their feelings.  In that approach, he is ready to get hold of the ‘real’ suicide notes.”

Jian Yao is shocked.

Thoughts management?  These are issues she has solely learn  in a textual content e book. 

Maybe it’s as a result of he notices her hesitation, he says: “Are you confused once more?  Thoughts management is an actual technique that folks makes use of.  It’s not only a concept.  Nevertheless it’s not as dramatic as Hollywood portraits it to be.” Then his smile disappears from his face.  He seems pensive.

Jian Yao asks: “What’s it?”

Bo Jinyan offers a dry chortle: “I simply remembered.  Tommy tried it on me too…”

Tommy, serving his life sentence in a excessive safety jail in California US.  

Bo Jinyan has not shared with Jian Yao about his expertise.  The darkish cellar, his wounds, and what he simply talked about, the thoughts management methods.  

“Then… what occurred ultimately?” She asks softly.

Bo Jinyan glances at her: “In the long run? I despatched him to jail.  Have you ever misplaced your reminiscence?”

Jian Yao smiles on the aloof look on his face.  

Sure, Bo Jinyan all the time wins ultimately.

“Okay, Okay, Okay.  My mistake.  Let’s get again to the case.”

Bo Jinyan continues: “I lean in direction of the speculation that he used thoughts management.  Being burnt to demise is a really painful strategy to die. To search out 5 decide males that desires to make use of this painful technique to take revenge on society isn’t a simple job.  For instance…. if I offer you a selection… Select between demise by burning your self or taking poison, which one would you select?”

Bo Jinyan nods: “That’s my level.”

“Subsequent query.  What do the 5 arsonists have in widespread?”

Jian Yao had a while to suppose over this earlier than: “

1. Age.  They’re in between 35 to 45 years outdated.  

2. Monetary standing.  All of them battle to make ends meet.  

3. In response to their household and buddies.  They’re reserved and quiet.  They don’t like to speak.  These individuals usually construct up resentment in direction of society.  They are usually extra unfavourable. 

4. Prior felony report.  Whether or not it’s theft, or assault, all of them had been charged for minor offences earlier than. However the costs will not be severe so none of them have hung out in jail.”

When she finishes, she quietly seems at Bo Jinyan.  He has an approving smile on his face.

“That’s right.” And he provides slowly: “An excellent arsonist’s felony profile.”

Jian Yao says: “You imply…”

Bo Jinyan nods:  “He” is aware of the right way to profile his victims.  This verifies my earlier concept.  That he’s superb at thoughts management methods.”

Jian Yao is quiet.  An clever felony that can be an knowledgeable on felony psychology.  He’s difficult the police by a collection of brutal arson circumstances…

She asks softly: “Is “He” the Flower Cannibal No.2?”

Since Jiang Hao’s demise, and the absences of ‘messages’ after the 2 murder circumstances, Jian Yao was nearly sure “He” is lifeless.  

However when Bo Jinyan talked about about Tommy, a way of foreboding stuffed her.  

Bo Jinyan has lengthy contemplated this chance.  He has a sarcastic smile on his face: “Effectively, whether it is ‘Him’, that may be attention-grabbing.”  Then he swipe her a look: “Don’t should be nervous.  I’m right here.”

Jian Yao thinks about it.  Sure, he’s no match for Bo Jinyan.  She shouldn’t be nervous about it.

I solely arrest probably the most hideous criminals.  He stated earlier than.  And he’s by no means unsuitable.  

———————

After lunch.  

Bo Jinyan and Jian Yao are sitting in probably the most well-known restaurant on the town.

The setting is beautiful.  It’s positioned on the water’s edge.  Bo Jinyan loosens his tie.  He’s enjoyable  on a settee, together with his arms wrapped round his lady.

Jian Yao is used to his investigation type by now.  The preliminary stage of felony evaluation is finished.  It’s time for the police and forensic workers to take over.  It’s their job to search out the particular person behind the circumstances and work out how he related with every of the arsonists.

Despite the fact that it’s their lunch break, Jian Yao isn’t as relaxed as Bo Jinyan.  She is busy studying the data on the case. 

Bo Jinyan instantly says to her: “You probably did an incredible job with the arsonist profiling right this moment.  It’s undoubtedly an enchancment on the earlier circumstances.”

Jian Yao seems up and offers him a candy smile.  It’s not straightforward to get a praise from him.

Bo Jinyan smiles and continues: “Maybe my earlier judgment on you isn’t correct sufficient.”

Jian Yao is curious: “What do you imply?”

Bo Jinyan solutions slowly: “The British believes the correct quantity of intercourse will make individuals extra wholesome, enhances one’s potential to suppose, and have faster response occasions.  You simply proved the speculation proper.  Attention-grabbing.”

He’s not making an attempt to be cheeky. He speaks it as a matter of reality.  

However Jian Yao finds it embarrassing to be chatting about this stuff.  She blushes.

Then he says faintly: “Are you not going to thank me?”

“Oh… simply cease it, will you!!” 

———————-

Information got here on their approach again to the police station.

The officer calls: “Professor Bo, we now have made an vital discovery.”