NOVEL NEXT Chapter 90: We Can't Just Guess, Can We? "Based
"Based on the above deductions, I'll make a guess about the killer—"
Theodore pulled the rough papers from the evidence bag and began his profile:
"The killer is a Black female, aged between thirty and forty. She had a sexual relationship with the deceased, one based on exploitation."
"The killer has been engaged in manual labor for years. She's physically strong."
"The killer belongs to the same community as the deceased. She's a victim of his manipulation."
"The killer obtained her son's tryout through bribery and received false promises from the deceased. But her child didn't make the team."
"The killer's child may have dropped outof school, joined a gang, or even died as a result."
"The killer has been harassing the deceased recently, staking out places where he might appear. The school, his apartment building."
"The killer has a strong moral code and sits in judgment of the deceased. Based on how the body was positioned, she likely participates actively in religious activities."
Theodore held up the papers. "These are all the football-related records from the deceased's home. The killer's child should be among them."
After Theodore finished, Bernie looked up from his notes. Both men turned to Wenner.
Wenner took the papers, flipped through two pages, then set them down. "Why are you certain it's a female?"
"The deceased had a history of affairs with married women. It's possible a false promise plus infidelity could have enraged some husband enough to kill."
Theodore shook his head. "This is different from the deceased's youthful manipulation."
"He learned to use football as cover. He didn't want any more accidents. His targets excluded married women."
"Besides, men choose more direct, confrontational approaches."
"If the deceased saw a man with a grudge following him, he'd be on high alert. He couldn't have been approached from behind."
Wenner's reaction was typical, Theodore's explanations seemed logical when you heard them, but felt like educated guesses when you thought them through.
He'd grown accustomed to this feeling. His questions weren't challenges to Theodore, but genuine attempts to understand.
Wenner no longer demanded direct evidence as he had initially.
Theodore's performance over the past few months had earned his trust.
He summoned two teams, had them compile the list from the papers, then took Theodore and Bernie to report to Chief Weideke.
Chief Weideke was showing unusual attention to this case. He frequently inquired about investigation progress personally, putting enormous pressure on the Homicide Division.
In the Chief's office, the Senior Police Supervisor was also present.
The man seemed to be living at the West District Branch these days.
After the report concluded, the Senior Police Supervisor praised them both extensively.
Theodore looked at him directly. "Can I be promoted to Sergeant?"
The Senior Police Supervisor paused, then burst into laughter. "Yes, of course you can!"
He sighed. "Remember that argument I mentioned? If your guesses prove correct, it will end that debate."
After Theodore and Bernie left, the Senior Police Supervisor's expression turned serious. He looked at Chief Weideke with hesitation. "Grant?"
Chief Weideke showed no hesitation. "They're my best detectives."
He picked up the phone. "This is Grant Weideke—"
Near the end of the workday, Cahill's voice suddenly boomed from outside:
"You hold that line for me! Anyone who dares break through, arrest them!"
"I don't care about any commissioner! I only know this is the West District!"
A series of transfer orders followed.
Cahill was mobilizing officers from other patrol areas, concentrating them near the Black community.
Within minutes, it grew quiet outside.
Before anyone could finish discussing what had happened in the Black community, television dropped another bombshell.
During a call-in program on local Felton TV, the host connected to Councilor Santos's office.
The host mentioned Felton's escalating Black-White tensions, using the riot two days ago at Oak Grove Manor High School as an example. He asked for Councilor Santos's opinion.
Santos pointed his finger directly at the Mayor.
"His Honor the Mayor is filled with distrust toward the Felton Police Department. He always likes to create drama."
"He's dissatisfied with the department's performance in that incident. Especially after hearing about football coach Amos Williams's death, His Honor panicked. He hastily sent a commissioner to the police department to give orders."
"His Honor the Mayor believes this commissioner, Eugene Harper from City Hall Archives, can investigate more clearly."
"Harper probably doesn't know how to solve cases any better than I do. After all, you all know I have two great detective friends! Haha!"
"I think professional matters should be left to professionals."
"If there weren't laymen like His Honor the Mayor who enjoy giving orders to professionals, perhaps that riot wouldn't have happened. Black-White opposition might never have appeared in Felton at all."
Councilor Santos's sudden attack on the Mayor plunged the squad room into absolute silence.
The detectives looked at each other, unsure how to react.
Theodore suddenly spoke. "Now we know who Eugene Harper is."
Everyone turned to stare.
"Just now, the Patrol Division..."
Someone connected Eugene Harper's commissioner identity with the 'commissioner' Cahill had been shouting about earlier.
This theory immediately gained widespread support.
They even used yesterday's incident—where this commissioner was blocked by Cahill for cross-jurisdictional enforcement—as proof.
Theodore frowned slightly.
He didn't believe there could be such an incompetent commissioner.
But thinking of last night's press conference, uncertainty crept in.
The rough papers were quickly sorted.
After preliminary screening, they obtained a list of 147 names.
Next, they only needed to conduct simple investigations of these 147 people. Filter them according to Theodore's profile to find the killer.
However, this plan was impossible to implement.
Under Eugene Harper's continuous provocations, Black-White opposition spread throughout the city.
From yesterday to today, at least five hundred people had been fired from their jobs.
Tonight alone, more than fifty Black residents were attacked on their way home.
Some White extremist groups positioned themselves outside the Black community specifically to intercept Black people returning home.
The situation in the Black community became particularly volatile.
Cahill had personally arrived to command operations. He'd mobilized large numbers of officers to guard the community perimeter, ensuring no more attacks occurred.
However, for various reasons, this arrangement proved ineffective.
The Black community was organizing internally, protecting their own people returning home.
If this situation continued developing, large-scale riots were inevitable.
"But we can't just guess about these 147 people, can we?" After listening to the Senior Police Supervisor's situation briefing, Bernie, who always maintained proper decorum, couldn't help but protest. "We don't even know what they look like."
The Senior Police Supervisor remained silent. He looked at Theodore.
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