American comics: I am full of martial virtues and I love to be kind to others.

"Could you recall the specific circumstances of what happened?"

Jason closed his eyes, trying to recall. "I had just locked the store and was walking towards the parking lot. Suddenly I heard footsteps behind me. Before I could turn around, I heard a gunshot, followed by a sharp pain in my shoulder."

"You didn't see who fired the shot?"

“No, it all happened too fast.” Jason shook his head. “I tried to look back after I fell, but the man was already gone.”

"Have you had any conflicts with anyone recently? Or received any threats?" Lynn continued to ask.

“No, I’m a very law-abiding person,” Jason said, puzzled. “I can’t think of anyone who would want to hurt me.”

"Is there anything unusual about your convenience store? For example, do you often have any suspicious customers?"

Jason thought for a moment, then said, "We've had a strange customer lately. About a week ago, he started coming to the store every day to buy things, but he never speaks and always wears a hat, so we can't see his face."

"Could you describe this person?" Lynn immediately became interested.

“He was of medium build, always wore dark clothes, and you couldn’t tell his age,” Jason tried to recall. “The things he bought were also strange; usually just basic food and bottled water, like he was preparing for some long trip.”

When was the last time he came?

“It was this afternoon, around four o’clock,” Jason said. “Like usual, I bought some canned food and water, paid, and left.”

This information caught Lynn's attention. A mysterious customer had visited the store that afternoon; this was no coincidence.

"Do you remember any other details about this person?" Lynn pressed.

“He always pays in cash, never with a credit card,” Jason added. “And he seems very familiar with the store layout, always going straight to what he needs, never just browsing.”

Lynn noted down this information and then asked, "Does your store have customer records or a membership system?"

“We have a simple membership card system, but that person never applied,” Jason said. “However, our surveillance system records all customers who enter the store.”

“That’s great.” Lynn stood up. “We’ll retrieve the surveillance footage from the past week and look for images of that mysterious guest.”

After leaving the hospital, Lynn immediately contacted the technical team and asked them to retrieve the convenience store's surveillance footage from the past week, paying particular attention to the mysterious customer described by Jason.

It was past 10 p.m. when they returned to the scene. Most of the onlookers had dispersed, but the police investigation continued. The technical team found more clues in the alley.

"Detective, we found a cigarette butt deep in the alley," the technician reported. "The DNA test results won't be available until tomorrow, but it's likely left by the suspect."

"Were there any other discoveries?"

"The plaster cast of the footprint is complete. The shoe size is approximately 10, a common type of athletic shoe," the technician continued. "Additionally, we found a dark hoodie in a nearby trash can, which we are testing for gunpowder residue."

These findings led Lynn to believe that the case might be more planned than initially thought. If the suspect had been waiting in the alley beforehand and then discarded the jacket afterward, it suggested that this was not a random crime.

"How's the analysis of the surveillance footage going?" Lynn asked.

“We found footage of the mysterious guest described by the victim.” The technician pulled out a tablet. “Although the image isn’t very clear, you can see that this person does come every day, and his behavior is very suspicious.”

Lynn carefully watched several videos. The man in the videos always wore a hat and deliberately avoided the camera angle, but it was clear that he was very familiar with the store and that his actions had a clear purpose.

“This guy is clearly scouting the place,” Lynn concluded. “He’s probably been observing Jason’s daily routine for a long time.”

“So what should we do next?” Williams asked.

"Release the suspect's description, investigate nearby surveillance cameras to see if we can trace his escape route," Lynn instructed. "Also, analyze the hoodie and cigarette butt, hoping to find DNA evidence."

Just then, Lynn's phone rang again. This time it was the hospital calling.

“Detective Hall, this is Dr. Johnson from the emergency room,” came the urgent voice on the phone. “Jason Parker has remembered some important information and requests to see you immediately.”

"I'm coming right away." Lynn rushed to the hospital immediately.

When Lynn returned to Jason's bedside, she found him to be even more nervous and anxious than before.

“Detective, I’ve remembered something important,” Jason said urgently. “That mysterious guest, I remember he had a distinctive feature—a very noticeable scar on his left index finger.”

“Scars?” Lynn immediately took out her notebook to write it down.

“Yes, it looks like a knife wound,” Jason said. “I didn’t pay much attention to it before, but now that I think about it, I noticed that scar every time he paid.”

"Any other details?"

“His voice,” Jason continued, “though he rarely spoke, he would simply say ‘thank you’ a few times. His voice was deep, with a slight accent, probably a southern one.”

This new information provided crucial clues for the investigation. Lynn knew that with these specific characteristics, tracking down the suspect would be much easier.

“Mr. Parker, your memory is invaluable to our investigation,” Lynn said sincerely. “Please get some rest, and if you recall any other details, please feel free to contact me.”

As Lynn left the hospital, he sensed that this seemingly ordinary shooting might be more complex than it appeared. A mysterious person had spent a week scouting the area before meticulously planning the attack. This wasn't a random crime; it was a premeditated act.

But what was the motive? Jason was just an ordinary convenience store manager with no special background. Unless...
Unless Jason is hiding something, or even lying.

The idea grew clearer and clearer in Lynn's mind. As an experienced detective, he had seen far too many seemingly innocent victims who were actually deeply involved in the case. But the problem was, Jason was a victim, and he couldn't pressure him or use harsh methods like he would with a suspect.

Lynn glanced at his watch; it was nearly midnight. He hesitated for a moment, then picked up his phone and dialed Elisa's number.

After a few rings, Alyssa's slightly sleepy voice came through the phone: "Detective Lynn? It's so late, what's wrong?" "Sorry to disturb your rest, Alyssa," Lynn said apologetically, "The case investigation has encountered some complicated circumstances, and I may need your help."

Alyssa immediately snapped back to reality. "What kind of help? Do I need to come over now?"

“Not now, but I’d like you to come with me to the hospital again tomorrow morning,” Lynn explained. “I suspect the victim of that shooting may not have been telling the whole truth, but I can’t use conventional interrogation methods.”

"You want me to use telepathy to probe his true thoughts?" Elisa understood Lynn's intention.

“Yes, if you wish. I know it will take a toll on your abilities and may make you uncomfortable,” Lynn said sincerely, “but it may be the only way to find out the truth.”

Elisa was silent for a moment, then said firmly, "I'm willing to help you. If that person is truly lying, then we must find out the truth."

“Thank you, Alyssa,” Lynn said gratefully. “I’ll pick you up at nine tomorrow morning, and we’ll go to the hospital together.”

“Okay, I’ll be ready,” Alyssa said. “Detective Lynn, please be careful.”

After hanging up the phone, Lynn felt a sense of relief. With Elisa's help, he believed he could uncover the truth behind the case. He started his car and drove towards his apartment, his mind still analyzing the various possibilities.

The next morning, sunlight streamed into Elisa's apartment through the windows. She rose earlier than usual, carefully preparing for the day's task. Using deep telepathy was not only a drain on her abilities but also a psychological and emotional challenge. Exploring the deepest secrets of others often placed immense mental pressure on her.

At nine o'clock sharp, Lynn knocked on Elisa's door. He was wearing a dark blue suit, and his expression was serious and focused.

“Good morning, Alyssa. Are you ready?” Lynn asked.

“Ready.” Alyssa nodded, dressed in a simple black sweater and dark trousers, looking both professional and understated. “However, I need to remind you that depth perception will temporarily make me vulnerable, and I may need your protection.”

“I understand, I will always be by your side,” Lynn promised.

On the way to the hospital, Lynn gave Alyssa a detailed account of the case, including the findings of last night's investigation and his suspicions.

“What exactly do you suspect?” Elisa asked.

“Too many coincidences,” Lynn analyzed as he drove. “The mystery visitor had been scouting the store for a week, but only bought basic groceries. The shooting happened outside, and there was no robbery. The victim claimed he didn’t know the attacker, but his description was too detailed, as if he had already prepared the answers.”

What do you think this could be?

“Perhaps it’s insurance fraud,” Lynn speculated. “Jason may have hired that mysterious person to ‘attack’ him and then file for disability insurance and workers’ compensation. These kinds of cases aren’t uncommon in New York.”

Elisa nodded thoughtfully. "If that's the case, then I should be able to sense his guilt and his intention to deceive."

“But you have to be careful. If he is indeed an innocent victim, I don’t want you to suffer unnecessary psychological trauma,” Lynn cautioned.

Upon arriving at the hospital, they first devised a detailed plan in the lobby. Elisa would pretend to be a therapist, while Lynn would visit Jason again under the guise of a routine inquiry.

“Remember, you don’t need to force yourself to get all the information,” Lynn advised. “Just make sure he’s not lying.”

Jason Parker's hospital room was on the third floor, a single room. When Lynn and Alyssa entered the room, Jason was watching the news on TV. Seeing Lynn, he gave a slightly nervous smile.

“Detective Hall, you’re here again,” Jason said. “Any new discoveries?”

“There has been some progress,” Lynn replied. “This is Alyssa Connor, our counselor. She specializes in helping crime victims cope with trauma.”

Alyssa stepped forward and shook hands. “Hello, Mr. Parker. I know you’ve been through something terrible, and I’m here to ensure your mental well-being.”

When Alyssa's hand touched Jason's, she immediately felt a complex mix of emotions. On the surface, Jason acted like a frightened victim, but beneath that facade, she sensed deep anxiety and guilt.

“Thank you for your concern,” Jason said, but Alyssa noticed a slight unease in his voice. “I am indeed a little scared, worried that person might come back.”

“That’s normal,” Elisa said gently, while subtly sharpening her senses. “Could you tell me exactly how you felt last night when it happened?”

Jason began repeating the story he had told Lynn the night before, but Alyssa could sense his true state of mind. Whenever he described the “sudden attack,” she sensed a premonition, as if he already knew what was going to happen. When he claimed he “didn’t know the attacker,” she sensed a clear intention to deceive.

What shocked Alyssa the most was that deep within Jason's heart, she sensed a strong emotional connection to a specific person—not fear or hatred, but worry and concern.

“Mr. Parker, are you sure you didn’t see the attacker’s face?” Alyssa continued probing. “Sometimes in emergency situations, our subconscious remembers certain details.”

“I really didn’t see anything,” Jason insisted, but Alyssa could sense he was trying to suppress certain memories. Deep in his mind, a clear face lingered—a young man, about twenty-five years old, with dark brown hair and blue eyes. More importantly, Jason had deep feelings for this man, perhaps even love.

Alyssa felt dizzy; the intense emotional impact was overwhelming. She struggled to control her reactions so Jason wouldn't notice anything amiss.

“I understand your fear,” Elisa said, giving Lynn a meaningful look. “Perhaps we should let you rest and visit again another day.”

“Thank you for your understanding.” Jason seemed relieved. “I do need some more time to recover.”

After Lynn and Elisa left the ward, Elisa immediately leaned against the wall in the corridor, her face pale.

"Are you alright?" Lynn asked worriedly.

“I’m fine, it’s just…the situation is more complicated than we thought.” Alyssa tried to calm herself. “Your suspicions are correct; he is indeed lying.”

What exactly is the situation?

“This isn’t the place to talk,” Elisa said, glancing around. “Let’s talk in your car.”

In her car in the hospital parking lot, Elisa gave Lynn a detailed account of her findings.

“Jason definitely knows the attacker, and their relationship is complicated,” Alyssa said. “I can sense that Jason has deep feelings for that person, perhaps even a romantic one.” (End of Chapter)