Police in America

"It's obvious you're really excited," Jack said, taking a cigar from his pocket and thoughtfully clipping the end for Rossi before lighting it.

Rossi's hands trembled as he took the cigar, and his first puff made him cough repeatedly.

Everyone understood his feelings at this moment. Setting aside the dramatic process of discovering the clues, it seemed the truth behind this unsolved case was now within reach.

This case wasn't well-known locally, but the person who had been sending toys to this family for 20 years was almost certainly connected to the murderer.

Rossi didn't take long to collect himself. Almost as soon as the second puff of smoke rose, he turned to Reid.

"Dr. Reid, can you help analyze this? Such compulsive crimes shouldn't be difficult for you."

Reid nodded and began speaking fluently, "There are two types of compulsive offenders who send gifts to the victim's family."

"One is a sadist, wanting the family to constantly relive the crime, and the other is someone with a heavy sense of guilt, desperately trying to express their apology in some way."

"A sadist might send items that could trigger painful memories, like jewelry taken from the victim or newspaper clippings related to the case."

"Those stuffed toys don't seem like items meant to cause pain," Emily said, shaking her head.

"Considering the ages of Connie's younger siblings, they might have even liked receiving them in the first few years," JJ agreed.

"Then it's a guilt-ridden type of offender," Rossi nodded, extinguishing his cigar after only a few puffs, much to Jack's dismay.

"I'm fine now. Let's go inside and discuss this. We need them to provide more clues."

Everyone went back inside, and JJ quietly explained their analysis to Connie and her family.

Emily, looking thoughtful, picked up a purple monkey doll and examined it for a long time. "This seems more like the kind of gift children would exchange among themselves."

Her comment gave Reid an idea. "Although it's rare, it's possible that a highly guilty murderer, sometimes due to non-subjective reasons, commits the crime."

"Like Lenny in 'Of Mice and Men,' someone with developmental issues might have the mind of a child but the body of an adult, strong enough to unintentionally harm others."

Seeing everyone nodding in agreement, Jack discreetly pulled out his phone and Googled 'Of Mice and Men.'

Ah, a classic piece of literature that won a Nobel Prize and is required reading in American schools. No wonder Connie's family could understand the reference.

This was Jack's gap in common knowledge. Although he used his extra time to read extensively, there were always some gaps.

"Then he would need an accomplice. The crime scene was cleaned up, which isn't something a low-IQ person could do alone," Rossi, who had reviewed the case countless times in his mind, quickly pointed out.

"Yes, typically there's an accomplice, a family member or guardian, often parents who are struggling to care for this overgrown child."

After hearing Reid's analysis, Rossi instructed Jack, "Jack, tell Garcia to stop comparing the murder cases. Have her check the lighter reports, even complaints, around here."

"Incidents in parks or playgrounds involving children," Reid added.

"Such individuals, because of their mental state, prefer playing with children. They may not harm them, but their size can scare parents, leading to these kinds of reports and complaints," Reid explained.

Jack nodded and waved his phone. "I've already sent her a message. It'll take some time. It's getting late; why don't we grab lunch together?"

Jack drove to a nearby highly-rated Chinese restaurant and brought back a large takeout order of modified Chinese food like Kung Pao chicken and General Tso's chicken. Everyone gathered in the living room, waiting for Garcia's updates.

What they were eating wasn't important. Jack's suggestion was meant to give Rossi more time to connect with this family, since he had invested so much personal emotion into this case, hoping the family would reciprocate and bring him some inner peace.

Seeing Rossi somewhat awkwardly eating and chatting with Connie's family about their past and reminiscing about their children's grandmother, Emily walked over to Jack, who was standing by the door, and nudged him with her elbow, smiling.

"Well done, big brother."

"You're welcome, dear little sister," Jack replied, playfully ruffling her hair.

"Hey! You brat," Emily retorted angrily, about to strike back, but Garcia's call came through just then.

Jack quickly put the phone on speaker and walked briskly to the living room, signaling that it was important. Emily reluctantly stopped, while JJ, watching their playful banter, smiled so widely her eyes turned into crescents.

"Hey, my super cops, I've got the info you wanted," Garcia's cheerful voice always managed to lift everyone's spirits.

"According to my research, over the past twenty years in the Indianapolis area, there have indeed been many unresolved minor crime reports matching your description. But there's something odd."

"These incidents mostly occur between February and March each year. Usually, one or two weeks later, similar cases appear in Springfield, Illinois, and then another week or two later in Des Moines, Iowa."

"Every year?" JJ asked in surprise.

"Yes, every year, very regularly," Garcia confirmed.

What kind of person would do this? Jack pondered. Back in Ceris, rural vendors would appear in different places during off-seasons for basic trade. In the US, who would be similar?

"Salesmen?"

"Impossible. Low-IQ individuals can't do that, and they would attract too much attention," Emily shook her head, dismissing his guess.

Rossi's gaze remained on the pile of cheap toys still on the table. "Could it be a carnival?"

"Carnival?" Connie's eyes lit up as if recalling something.

"The day before the incident, we had been to a carnival."

"Did anything happen?" Emily quickly asked, and everyone else gathered around.

Twenty years ago, only Connie, the eldest, was old enough to remember some things. George, the second son, was only five, and the youngest daughter was three, both too young to recall.

"Sorry for the delay."

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