CHAPTER 453: CHAPTER 274 HEROINE_4

Have you ever eaten Japanese food? In some Japanese restaurants, to preserve the freshness of the fish slices, they dismember the fish while it’s still alive. Then the diners can enjoy their bodies while the fish heads are still opening and closing their mouths. It’s the same with the killer. He didn’t want those female victims to die with fear-induced reactions like incontinence or distorted faces, tarnishing the beauty he had in his mind."

"But..." Louise was even more puzzled. "If that’s the case, why did the killer still murder those female victims?"

"Disappointment!" Dean closed his eyes, trying to put himself in the killer’s mindset, and slowly said, "Do you know why each victim was killed and their body dumped only three days after they went missing? It’s because he was trying to transform those victims. The killer longed for a Marilyn Monroe from the movies! Unfortunately, despite the five female victims having equally delicate features and blonde hair, women from different eras possess a distinct essence unique to their time. This aura is difficult to create merely through makeup and changing clothes. Besides, the five female victims were not professional actors; they were in a dangerous situation, their hearts filled with terror. This created a psychological disparity for the killer, so he killed them."

Louise was only half-understanding. She wasn’t slow, but it took a bit of time to digest all this information.

Dean, however, became more fluent as he delved deeper into the killer’s mindset. Simultaneously, the clues and Psychological Deductions he had previously found started to flood his mind, connecting everything together!

Deducing a criminal’s psychology can yield a wealth of information, he thought. For example, if I conclude that the killer’s criminal psychology is as follows: the killer is obsessed with the 1950s, hunts women, and tries to transform them into his own impression of Marilyn Monroe. Then, I can discern: Firstly, the killer is most likely male, with a reclusive and homebound personality. Secondly, the killer’s mental state is unstable, or he has suffered some severe trauma that led to his escape from reality.

Another example: after killing the female victims, the killer deliberately positioned the bodies on the roadside where they would be easily discovered. He used sun umbrellas to attract the attention of passing drivers and even arranged internal organs into floral patterns to increase the case’s exposure. This is undoubtedly because the killer wanted to become famous. He didn’t even care if it would lead to his own capture.

And when these Psychological Deductions are combined, they could lead to useful information. For instance: the 1950s, nostalgic movies, female stars, imitation and substitution, the three days the victims were missing, the disappointment murders, creating a big news story... Adding all these elements together... What could the killer be trying to do?

Dean already had a vague hunch, but this hunch needed more clues for verification.

Solving a case is like a spider web, he mused. The clues are the broken strands. By following and reconnecting them, one can reach the web’s very center. That’s where the truth lies. This process requires patience.

「Meanwhile.」

「Los Angeles.」

When Ross heard from his subordinates that his good friend—Detective Dean—had temporarily left Los Angeles for some reason, he couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

Ever since the last incident with the dark web killer almost got Dean into serious trouble, Ross had been called back by his father. This was also the reason for his sudden disappearance for a period. The purpose of his return was simple: procreation.

Of course, civilized people use civilized terms. In other words, Ross went back to the Commonwealth for arranged marriage encounters. As a good-for-nothing, his sole value and obligation were to spread the family’s lineage. The Ross Family was straightforward and rather harsh in this aspect. If one reached a certain age without offspring, their allowance would be cut, and they could even end up penniless.

Ross had previously set his sights on the ’ordinary girl’ Laura (from the gym) for procreation. But to his surprise, he ended up being cuckolded. This time, out of necessity, Ross had to accept the family’s arrangement.

The girl beside him was his current fiancée. She was the second daughter of a minor noble family, with a very ’ordinary’ name—Gaia. Gaia was quite pretty, her luscious blonde hair particularly eye-catching. Although she had a bit of a temper, she was polite in his presence and knew how to conduct herself appropriately.

Compared to his ex-girlfriend Laura, Ross happily chose to accept.

Returning to Los Angeles this time, he had just wanted to share the news with Dean, his only friend in the city, and incidentally invite him to be his best man. But now Dean wasn’t around.

What should I do? Ross wondered. Maybe I could secretly find out Dean’s location, then go over and surprise him with a unique reunion?

Ross proposed this idea to his fiancée, Gaia. She, too, had just escaped from her "cage" and was curious about everything. Finding the idea fun, and knowing she was marrying up by wedding Ross, she didn’t dare refuse and spoil his enthusiasm.

So, the two somewhat irresponsible individuals got busy.

「Elsewhere.」

「In a remote part of Las Vegas.」

In a cluttered room, a man rose from his bed. He meticulously dressed in his shabby clothes, then smiled and greeted an empty table before exiting the sealed space.

These past few days, he had found a new leading lady.

Today, the weather is nice, he thought. Perfect for the hero and heroine’s first meeting...