Beneath The Gentle Smile

Bryan headed back into Officer Smith's office as Detective Watson was waiting there for him. After entering the office, Bryan saw him drinking tea and chatting with Officer Smith.

He came closer to Detective Watson, bent over, and whispered into his ears, "Teacher, can you do your thing and make it so that Pyke can never speak again?"

It was imperative that Pyke didn't disclose what happened today or all the information he had divulged. Or else, Bryan would, later on, be held in suspicion for the bloodbath he would eventually carry out.

Detective Watson raised his eyebrows but he still nodded. He got up from his chair and told Bryan, "Take me to him."

Bryan smiled as he replied, "Yes. Thank you, teacher."

Officer Smith was puzzled as to what was going on between the two, but he tactfully didn't ask any questions. After all, Detective Watson's prestige was too much for a mere head constable like him to question him about anything.

Detective Watson looked at Officer Smith and smiled, "We can leave in five minutes." Then he walked out of the office with Bryan without waiting for Officer Smith's reply.

Bryan took Detective Watson to the underground room where he had interrogated Pyke. After entering the room, Detective Watson saw that Pyke had already passed out on the table.

His palms and shoulders were bleeding, all his fingernails had been stabbed through as well. Detective Watson turned to look at Bryan with a questioning gaze.

Bryan scratched his head and smiled awkwardly, "I was just venting out my frustrations. Don't worry, teacher. This guy's no saint. All these years working for the Brown family, he had done plenty of terrible deeds."

Detective Watson simply nodded and didn't say anything further. He stared at Pyke as his eyes narrowed. The next moment, vast spiritual force gushed out of him as he channeled it towards Pyke's subconsciousness.

The spiritual force attacked Pyke's mind like a tsunami instantly obliterating his subconscious. Pyke who had fainted on the table trembled for a second, then everything went back to normal.

However, from this day forth, Pyke would become a complete vegetable. Unable to form a single thought or word. Bryan who was standing beside Detective Watson had his feet turn cold.

The moment Detective Watson's spiritual force gushed out, Bryan felt fear creep up in his heart. He broke out in a cold sweat as he thought, 'Teacher's spiritual force is so vast and… vicious.'

For the first time, Bryan realized that beneath his teacher's gentle smile and polite demeanor, lay a ferocious and savage beast ready to pounce at any moment. This made him involuntarily gulp.

Detective Watson looked at Bryan who seemed as if he had seen a ghost, chuckled, and said, "Let's get going now. We still have to visit the crime scene."

Bryan snapped out of his daze and nodded his head like a chicken pecking at rice. Then he obediently followed Detective Watson out of the room.

…

East 19th Street.

In an alleyway that connected to 19th Street, around half a dozen police officers were present. Among them were Officer Smith, Detective Watson, and Bryan.

Currently, Officer Smith was pointing to a secluded spot in the alleyway beside a garbage dumpster. Most alleyways that were present between buildings were unfrequented areas. One could see a few homeless tramps loitering around.

This alleyway was also the same. One could see retractable ladders on the back of each of the buildings. These ladders usually led to the back entrance of the buildings or apartments.

Officer Smith pointed at the spot and said, "This is where we found the body last night. The last two bodies of the victims were also found in secluded alleyways near 2nd Street and 15th street respectively."

Detective Watson nodded and replied, "Well, we can be sure that the killer lives somewhere in this middle-class area or at least carries out his operation in this neighborhood."

Officer Smith probed, "Detective, how did you confirm that?"

"Firstly, cutting up a body and taking out the organs in any alleyway will attract a lot of attention. So he couldn't have done it here. That leads to my second point.

I believe that the killer does the deed somewhere close by, and after taking out the organs, he carries the bodies and dumps them in these secluded alleyways.

And his house or base of operations must be somewhere close by. Since, carrying a dead body, even if it's inside a bag, is too much of a hassle and may also attract unwanted attention." Detective Watson patiently explained his reasoning.

Officer Smith, Bryan, and the other police officers were enlightened. Officer Smith then asked with hopeful eyes, "Detective, have you found anything else?"

Detective Watson shook his head, "I need more information on the victims, their backgrounds, their lifestyles, etc. Learning about the victims can also help you understand the killer better and anticipate their next move."

Officer Smith nodded his head with a bitter smile, "As you say, detective."

Detective Watson smiled and patted his shoulder, "Don't worry, Officer Smith. We'll try to catch the bastard before he kills another child. I promise you, I will do my best."

"We are grateful for your assistance!" Officer smith was touched, as he replied.

Detective Watson nodded, "Very well then, Bryan and I will come to the police station tomorrow again. Make sure to tell your lads to gather all the information they can on the three victims."

"I understand, detective." Officer Smith nodded his head and replied seriously.

"Let's go, Bryan." Detective Watson turned to look at Bryan and spoke.

Bryan first nodded his head then he awkwardly shook his head as he replied, "You go ahead, teacher. I forgot to get my gun permit from the police station."

Detective Watson nodded his head and said, "All right. I will see you at home tomorrow morning then."

Bryan then bade Detective Watson farewell and followed Officer Smith to the police station in his carriage that had the Damascus Police symbol on it.

At the police station, Bryan received his gun permit. Which was essentially just a piece of paper with a stamp and signature on it that declared that Bryan was legally allowed to carry a gun.