Chapter 258: Steve Williams
The next day, after investigating the crime scene, Tommy and the Japanese detective quickly zeroed in on a suspect by checking nearby surveillance cameras. So, the detective duo, formed by Tommy and Tony, rushed to a community college in Little Italy, ahead of everyone else, to search for the killer.
"We're about to catch that psychopathic killer! I'm so excited just thinking about it," Tony said, walking beside Tommy, chattering non-stop like an overexcited kid. "They say serial killers are an American specialty. Don't they all look the same?"
"Generally speaking, serial killers meet the MacDonald Triad criteria," Tommy, however, didn't find him annoying, explaining slowly and patiently.
Tony immediately responded, "Coke, hamburgers, and fries?"
"Here, I brought one for you two as well. I picked the spicy chicken burger. I hope you like it."
As Tony finished speaking, a large hand reached out from behind, holding two paper bags with the McDonald's logo.
"Partner?" "Ron?"
They both turned around. Ron was sipping a Coke in one hand while holding up a bag in the other. "How about it? You don't want them? If you don't, I'll eat them all. McDonald's burgers are getting smaller and smaller these days. One isn't enough."
"Why not? I want them!" Tony snatched both bags and tossed one to Tommy. "Partner, where were you yesterday? Why haven't I seen you all day?"
"It's a rare opportunity to visit New York, so of course I had to explore. I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and One World Trade Center yesterday, and then I bought breakfast this morning and brought it to you."
Ron answered casually. He had indeed visited those places yesterday, but he had omitted the crucial details.
It was a new will he had received from Dr. James, which stated that if anything happened to him, all his property would be automatically donated to the IRS Special Operations Team for funding.
Ron had a lawyer notarize it early in the morning before buying breakfast and bringing it to them.
As for how Ron knew their location? Of course, it was because of the tracking device! Ron had installed a tracking app on Tony's phone the moment they first met.
"What were you talking about just now? Coke, hamburgers, and French fries—how did you know I would bring you McDonald's?"
"No, we were talking about the MacDonald Triad. The correct answer is bed-wetting, fire-setting, and animal cruelty."
Ron sneered: "For things like this, just observe reality. Real criminals often become criminals for all kinds of complex reasons. Although there is evidence that criminal behavior is related to childhood experiences, it's overly simplistic to reduce it to bed-wetting, fire-setting, and animal cruelty."
"How is that possible? This is obviously expert analysis!" Tommy retorted unconvinced: "Then tell me what common characteristics all criminals have?"
"All have committed crimes? Does this count as one?" Ron said jokingly.
"Well, except for that obvious one. It's really hard for me to find any common points among criminals. To put it bluntly, in a sense, everyone has the potential to become a criminal. What they lack is an opportunity or motivation to cross that line.
Some do it for money, some for power, some for revenge. In short, it's all about various human drives. It's impossible for people to be without desires. Even the most moral people cannot avoid temptation. When their desires conflict with the social norms and laws we believe in, then crime becomes a possibility."
Ron and Tommy looked at each other, representing the conflict between practical experience and academic theory.
But a rookie like Tommy who just came out of school certainly couldn't compare with Ron and was about to be outmatched. Fortunately, they had already walked to the door of the community college classroom at this time, and the sound of instruction inside was clearly audible.
"Slice."
"Slice."
"Cut into pieces."
"Cut into pieces."
"What side dish do you want?"
"What side dish do you want?"
A stocky-looking man stood at the podium, teaching. The students in the packed classroom followed his every word.
"I thought only Americans learned foreign languages, but I never thought these locals would learn culinary arts like this," Tony said proudly, leaning on the windowsill.
"What's so strange about this? The restaurant industry has huge growth potential right now. Poor folks in New York aren't stupid. If they learn enough here, they can get a good job as a chef in upscale restaurants, with better pay than ordinary service workers."
Ron had already shown a knowing expression. Tony said indignantly, "Damn! That's pretty smart of these guys, isn't it?"
Ron's arm had already slipped around Tony's neck, and he greeted him warmly, "Brother, when you say 'these guys,' please don't forget that I'm also one of 'these guys'~"
"Ah... cough cough, partner, I was wrong, let me go~" Tony cried out for help.
Tommy, however, observed from outside the window for a while before shaking his head in disappointment: "Wrong."
"What's wrong?" Tony asked quickly, breaking free from Ron's hold.
"Do you remember I told you the murderer was left-handed? But Steve Williams is right-handed." Tommy lowered his head: "Eh? Where's Tony?"
Ron pointed toward the classroom door: "He's already gone in."
In the classroom, Tony ran directly to the podium and stared at Steve Williams for a long moment before slowly speaking: "Did you wet the bed as a kid?"
"No," Tony remained serious. Steve felt a little uneasy and finally admitted: "Okay, I did."
Tony jumped up and slapped Steve hard on the head: "I knew you wet the bed! You psycho, you set fires, didn't you? You tortured animals, didn't you? You killed people? Kill them if you want, but why did you take their kidneys and hearts? Slice them, cut them into pieces!"
Tony kicked Steve hard with every accusation.
Tony was enjoying the confrontation when he was suddenly startled by the sound of weapons being drawn. The students who had been sitting quietly in their seats had surrounded him without him noticing, each holding a kitchen knife or cleaver.
Tony broke out in a cold sweat.
"What...what should I do? Go and save him!" Tommy was anxious and asked Ron for help.
"This idiot, he dared to attack someone in this neighborhood without any backup. He doesn't know this is New York, where things can get violent fast?"
Ron finished the last sip of Coke in his cup, picked up a piece of loose brick that had fallen on the ground, threw it in through the window, and then shouted: "Watch out for the explosive!"
"Get down!"
The street-smart students, who had been through their share of dangerous situations, immediately ducked reflexively, and Ron quickly grabbed Tony and Steve by the collar and dragged them out.
"Let's go!"
(End of this chapter)
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