A distance of 8km ought to take lower than 5 minutes to achieve.

Bo Jinyan is driving with a stern face.   Jian Yao seems out the window – homes, police vehicles, extra fields… they fade away shortly by as Bo Jinyan speeds to their subsequent vacation spot.

Jian Yao is attempting to analyse the info: “After killing the primary household, the killer stayed on the crime scene – he ate some meals and altered his garments.  It takes time to get to the second home, which implies he was solely on the street for about thirty minutes.  He couldn’t have walked there.  There’s not sufficient time, and it could appeal to individuals’s consideration.  In addition to we don’t have any eye witness but.

The second household he killed lived in a quiet street too.  Is that a part of his standards?  However then, it could indicate there may be some planning in direction of his killing.  Is our preliminary deductions incorrect?”

That is the primary time she doubts Bo Jinyan’s reasonings. It’s a wierd feeling, however him, she feels it’s a legitimate query.  As a result of there may be an apparent contradiction.

Bo Jinyan calmly depends: “I can’t be incorrect.”

Jian Yao: “…..okay.”

They arrives the following crime scene.  One other farmhouse.   The place is cordoned off.  A bunch of police officer stands exterior the home.  Bo Jinyan says mildly: “Although we didn’t need to see extra killings, the brand new deaths have assist us decide his identification and what he seems like.” 

Jian Yao is surprised.

Clearly, they aren’t considering on the identical stage.  When she felt they’ve taken a step again within the investigation, Bo Jinyan has in truth taken an enormous step ahead.  

He opens the door, and says to her earlier than he hops off: “Keep near me.”

——————-

The second crime scene has many similarities to the primary one.  The killer is much more vicious in his assaults.  Jian Yao takes a glance and wait exterior. 

After some time, Bo Jinyan comes out.  He takes off the gloves that’s soaked with blood.  He seems on the pale Jian Yao: “In case you are nonetheless shaken by what you’ve seen, come into my arms.”  

There’s individuals surrounding them.  Jian Yao hesitates and declines his provide.  He seems round and grabs her chilly hand: “Are you embarrassed once more?  Who doesn’t know that you’re my lady?”  He says.

Jian Yao blushes.

Bo Jinyan is clearly very upset in the mean time.  The killer has induced over ten deaths.  He must give attention to the case, however he’s involved for her on the identical time.  So even when he talking about their relationship, his tone continues to be chilly and moody….

She faucets his shoulder gently: “Simply give attention to the case.  Don’t fear about me.  I can care for myself.  I’ll be proper behind you on a regular basis.”

It’s speculated to be a thoughtful assertion from a girlfriend.  

Bo Jinyan turns to her, and says in his chilly voice: “Do you suppose I’m not able to dealing with each roles on the identical time?”  The 2 roles clearly means ‘detective’ and ‘boyfriend’.

Jian Yao: “…….”

He should be angered by this killer.  He has been in a nasty temper since he left the bed room.  Now it’s even worse.  Nothing she says can soothe him.

A younger officer comes as much as them: “We discovered him. Professor Bo, we discovered him.”

Jian Yao coronary heart tightens.  Bo Jinyan shortly walks as much as a car parked on the facet of the street.

It’s a car outfitted with surveillance tools.  There are a number of computer systems.  Technical workers and s few officers crowd across the screens.  A younger technician factors at a paused body of a video.

Like Bo Jinyan says, they now know his identification and what he seems like. 

When actuality and deduction don’t match, the reality appears to cover below the fog.  Some individuals will begin to doubt themselves, making it onerous to progress. 

However for Bo Jinyan, this isn’t an issue.  He’s so assured of himself.   He isn’t affected by feelings akin to doubt.  Deduction and reasoning, for him, is easy and clear: the killer doesn’t drive.  There are not any traces of transport automobiles (eg. tyre marks and many others.).  No witnesses.  There is just one method of attending to the second crime scene.  

Bus.

So, he discovered the killer.

——————-

Bo Jinyan leans down and examines the person on the display screen.

Regardless that the picture shouldn’t be very clear, one can inform he’s a skinny common top man.  He’s sporting a generally discovered black jacket.  His hair is messy and he seems slightly sluggish.    

A younger officer says: “Round 10pm, he board the bus in a cease near the primary crime scene.  He got here off the bus round 10:15am at a cease that’s subsequent to the second crime scene.”

One other officer provides: “It is a farming village.  There’s hardly anybody on the bus.  Due to this fact nobody noticed him.”

“Sure, it’s him,”  Bo Jinyan says.

The officers really feel extra assured after Bo Jinyan verify their findings. 

“Discovered one other picture.” says an officer.  

Everybody seems to the place he’s pointing at.  On one other monitor, the identical man seems.  

The police seems on the knowledge: “11:00pm.  Location is the Li Yu Transit Station.  Not removed from the second crime scene.”

Everyone seems to be quiet.  That’s after killing the second household. The place is the killer going subsequent?

It’s onerous to see from the small picture whether or not his garments have blood stains on them or not.  He stood on the platform and waited.  Subsequent to him, there’s an indication with all of the numbers of the buses that stops at that transit station.  

Two buses got here his method: 928, 900.  He didn’t transfer.

Then 910 seems, he slowly boarded the bus.

—————-

It’s solely been a number of hours, however the police now is aware of who they’re searching for.  And so they know the place he’s heading subsequent.  It is a large breakthrough.  Everyone seems to be getting exited.  The younger officer who discovered the primary picture of the person stated in a loud voice: “We will get him quickly.”

“Sure!”

“Sure!” 

All in settlement.  Jian Yao is glad to see the officers so fired up.

“Don’t be too completely satisfied too quickly.”  Bo Jinyan interrupts them.  He doesn’t sound as enthusiastic as the remainder of the group.  

“This bus route heads to the town.” He says faintly. “Our killer has entered right into a excessive density space.  There will likely be individuals in every single place.  Even pedestrians could grow to be his victims.  What’s there to be enthusiastic about?” 

—————-

Within the east the sky was turning white, and the final stars had been disappearing over the horizon.  A layer of fog hovers on the roads of the farming village. 

After leaving the surveillance car, Jian Yao pulls Bo Jinyan’s sleeves and says: “Don’t you suppose your phrases had been slightly harsh?”

The group of younger officers had been stirred up till he spoke.  After that, all of them turned quiet.  They had been nonetheless going about their duties, however they’re noticeably discouraged.  

“Is that proper? However I’m solely telling the reality. As an officer, they should be acutely aware of this.”

“However they’re nonetheless younger.  Not each is so fast on the toes such as you.” Jian Yao explains. “You might be their senior.  Give a phrase of encouragement at time, like the way in which I encourage you.”

Bo Jinyan sweeps her a glance. He doesn’t say something extra. 

The 2 of them returns to the automobile. As soon as once more, it’s time to attend. 

Jian Yao: “Is there something you want me to do?”

Bo Jinyan seems at her: “Sleep.”  However he opens the map and begins finding out it.  

Jian Yao asks: “What are you searching for?’

Bo Jinyan marks a number of places with a ballpoint pen.   He says: “When he obtained off the bus close to the second crime scene, he was strolling in direction of the transit station.  And the home of the second crime scene occurs to be on his route.”

Jian Yao’s thoughts is beginning to string the items collectively. 

Bo Jinyan lifts his head and appears out of the window.  He has the reply: “When he killed the primary two household, it might be simply random acts, or there might be some type of connections between these households and him.  However what we will be certain of, is that, he has completely departed from actuality and is now residing on his personal fantasy world.  A world crammed with blood and homicide.”

Jian Yao is quiet. 

As a result of Jian Yao is leaning in direction of his facet to see the map, when Bo Jinyan places down the map and lifts his head, the cheeks touched.  He seems into her eyes: “Give me a kiss.”

Jian Yao takes a fast peep round.  There’s no one close to.  She places her arms round his neck and pecks him gently on the lips: “Sustain the nice work.”

Bo Jinyan: “Why are you encouraging me?  I’ve been exceeding everybody’s expectations proper from the beginning.” 

Jian Yao: “…. Simply fake that I didn’t say a factor.”

After a brief wait.  There’s information. 

Unhealthy information, although.  

Jian Yao turns her cellphone to speaker mode: “Professor Bo, in keeping with the CCTV footages offered by the bus firm, our suspect obtained off the bus round 4:30am.  We’ve got misplaced monitor of him since.” He pauses “We’re wanting on the video footages from the companies close by, and we’ve got despatched officers to look within the space.   However thus far, we’ve got nothing.”

They’ve misplaced him.

Like Bo Jinyan says, when he enters into a giant metropolis, it like discovering a needle within the haystack.  

Bo Jinyan seems at Jian Yao.  He remembers what she says earlier.

“Professor Bo, do you’ve any new directions for us?”  The officer asks.

Bo Jinyan solutions: “No.  You might be doing properly.  Sustain the nice work.”

The officer: “…..”

After they end the decision.  Jian Yao seems at him with a smile. 

Not dangerous, he’s studying quick.  

However…. hopefully, the officers don’t suppose he’s mocking them…

Jian Yao asks: What ought to we do now?”

Bo Jinyan picks up the map once more: “He’s heading in direction of a vacation spot.”

Jian Yao asks: “How have you learnt?  What makes you suppose he isn’t wandering aimlessly?”

Bo Jinyan: “Although he may not be considering straight anymore, his instincts and subconsciousness nonetheless impacts his actions.  When he was taking the bus, he didn’t take a look at the bus indicators. He didn’t board the primary bus that got here previous his method.  He used the shortest path to stroll from one bus cease to the opposite.  This exhibits he’s been on this route earlier than.  Now, he’s heading to put with vengeance, to hunt liberation and to beat.”

“However how do we all know the place he’s going?

Her cellphone rings once more.

Lastly some excellent news.

“We’ve got the person’s identification.  His identify is Zhang Cheng.  28 years previous.  He lives in Huang Yun village, the place the primary crime scene is.”  The officer offers them an handle.

Bo Jinyan shortly begins the automobile and drives to his home. 

“Residence.  a spot the place the deepest secrets and techniques are stored.” He says “This holds true for everybody, whether or not you’re regular or you’re a psychopath.”