For the convenience of future operations, Dean planned to train this immature pretty boy.

Upon hearing Dean's words, Nico's eye twitched, and he snorted coldly. "Though no fingerprints were found on the axe, the genetic material of the killer, Xiami, was inside the female victim. There are also eyewitnesses. This case is clear-cut. What doubts are you trying to create?"

"First!" Dean raised a finger. "The basic criminal psychology of offenders generally involves targeting the most threatening individual first, then dealing with others. But this case is the opposite. After killing the female homeowner, the killer dragged the male homeowner into the hallway to kill him. This was superfluous."

"The thoughts of a pervert aren't the same as a normal person's!" Nico immediately retorted.

"Second!" Unperturbed, Dean raised two fingers. "The killer had an axe, and he dealt with the female victim efficiently. However, when the axe fell on the male victim, the blows were feeble, as if a child were hesitantly chopping. Afterward, the killer even abandoned the axe and chose the more troublesome rope. This also defies common sense!"

Nico's eyes filled with disdain. "Killing with an axe and strangling with a rope bring different sensations to the killer. What's illogical about that?"

"Would you switch to a child's tricycle after getting used to the intense thrill of a Ferrari?" Dean countered. The horrific state of the female victim indicated the killer's heart was extremely brutal. He craved the stimulation of blood and flesh splattering, enjoying the satisfaction of an axe splitting flesh. It's impossible that he would have enjoyed strangling someone with a rope. Because then, he could only exert force from behind or beside the victim and wouldn't be able to directly see the victim's eyes filled with despair and helplessness!

"This..." Nico retorted stubbornly, "You're not the criminal. How do you know what he was thinking?"

"Because of the third point!" Dean raised three fingers and said indifferently to the still stubborn Nico. "Crimes don't start this intense. There's always a progression from minor to major, a process fueled by their inner desire for stimulation. I've seen Xiami's records. He had no prior criminal record. This isn't plausible for someone who kills so decisively and brutally. This only shows that you just happened to catch him this time! When you caught the killer, he was cleaning the scene, and no fingerprints—neither his nor anyone else's—were found on the axe. Actually, this is very difficult to achieve. Swinging an axe requires a lot of strength. Amidst splattering blood, even if the killer wore gloves, he would definitely leave a blood-coated imprint on the wooden handle of the axe! Unless..."

Dean trailed off, watching Nico's face gradually turn pale at his words. It must be said, he thought, this guy's reaction shows he understood what I meant.

Fanny, seeing Dean pause dramatically, couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Dean, unless what?"

Dean continued, "Unless the killer was holding the front end of the axe while committing the crime. Although more strenuous, this grip wouldn't leave an impression on the axe handle from lever pressure. This is a troublesome thing to do because taking the axe directly would have been much more straightforward. It indicates that the killer never planned to take the axe in the first place! That guy was planning to provoke the police!"

Nico processed this, then exhaled a long breath. He looked towards Dean and said earnestly, "I understand what you mean now. A criminal like that, already controlled by an antisocial personality incessantly craving more intense criminal stimulation, truly wouldn't choose to strangle the male victim with a rope. Nor would he leave two unsteady axe marks on the man. Therefore, in this family annihilation case, there must have been an accomplice present at the time!"

Unconsciously, Nico's tone towards Dean had become respectful.

CLAP. CLAP. CLAP.

Dean applauded Nico. "Well, I must admit, your candid attitude has made me see you in a new light. Your skills are good. I hadn't noticed this before because Xiami was arrested too quickly. The pressure from the media and higher-ups made you all rush through procedures and overlook these details."

At that moment, Dean's Beast Taming Skills instinctively activated. Having suppressed Nico, he immediately offered him a way out, metaphorically pouring honey into Nico's mouth with praise and explanation, letting him chew on a satisfying bone.

Sure enough, upon hearing Dean's words, Nico—who had initially been hostile towards Dean's arrival—felt a flash of emotion and guilt in his eyes. He was about to say something.

Dean continued, "Buddy, my mouth's getting a bit dry. You can continue the analysis. For instance, who do you think the accomplice might be?"

Nico didn't realize Dean was taming him. Upon hearing Dean's words and seeing the encouraging look in his eyes, Nico thought this was Dean offering him a chance to shine, a chance to redeem the face he had lost in front of the two women. He obediently analyzed, "The accomplice must be someone close to Xiami—possibly a relative or a friend. Xiami is teaching this accomplice how to kill and commit crimes!"

He was right. Understanding that there were two killers at the scene was key. Any ordinary person, looking at the evidence, could see that the two axe strikes on the male homeowner were from a second, very clumsy, individual. So, this crime was indeed one criminal mentoring a newcomer.

Dean clapped again. "You're absolutely right, Nico. You're quite sharp. Keep going."

Encouraged, Nico felt a warmth spread through him.

At that moment, thoughts of Fanny, jealousy, the sting of being outwitted—all of it vanished.

At that moment, Nico felt his British blood surge.

This man before me... he understands me!

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