1960: My uncle is the FBI Director

Chapter 76 A Bernie... (Please continue reading)
The old sheriff didn't understand Theodore's analysis, but his suggestion aligned with his own, so he immediately agreed.

Seeing that Bernie still insisted on opposing, the old county sheriff pointed to himself and Theodore, then to Bernie, reminding him that the score was now 2:1.

Bernie was still trying to dissuade him, pointing out that the killer had a gun, which would increase the risk.

Theodore shook his head. "He doesn't use a gun."

He pointed out that whether it was a large wooden house in the valley or a small wooden house by the stream, the only modern item inside was a knife.

Felton doesn't ban guns, but here you can't even see bullets, let alone guns.

A hunter had no guns and no bullets at home.

That sounds hilarious.

The veteran county police officer found it hard to believe.

Bernie recalled that he hadn't seen any modern tools in the large log cabin; even the beds were made of animal hides, and they used wooden bowls. It resembled the dwelling of primitive people.

Theodore speculated that the gun had probably been discarded or buried by the killer.

He then analyzed the killer for the two of them:

"The murderer was very opposed to the development of industrial civilization, lived alone in the deep mountains, and made a living by hunting."

"The murderer considered this place his home and this land his private property."

"The perpetrator has an instinctive violent defense mechanism against trespassing."

“We are now invading his territory.”

The old sheriff realized he couldn't understand what Theodore was saying again. He looked at Bernie.

Bernie pointed to his head and explained it using the 'I'm crazy' excuse that Theodore had once told him.

The old county policeman was skeptical; he couldn't understand this behavior.

"This is because the murderer had been out of touch with society for a long time and lacked normal interpersonal empathy. In his eyes, the only difference between humans and animals was the degree of threat."

"The murderer had been a hunter for a long time, and the killing of animals made him indifferent to life."

“We’re rummaging around here, and to him we’re just a bunch of wild beasts destroying a nest. To him, we humans are just dangerous animals that use tools.”

Theodore tried to explain, but it was clearly to little avail.

The veteran county police officer still couldn't understand.

How can you lump humans together with animals!
Burton reached into his pocket and then stuffed the notebook back in.

The light here is too dim, and the environment is really not suitable for recording.

Theodore wanted to explain further, but after thinking about it, he gave up.

He stated bluntly:

"The murderer discovered that we had trespassed on his territory."

“He saw us as prey.”

“He first attacked our detachments, arranging them in a ceremonial manner to intimidate us.”

The old county policeman stared blankly at the corpse.

It was he who proposed splitting the troops.

Bernie patted him on the shoulder as a gesture of comfort.

Theodore looked at Bernie: "He attacked you swiftly as we surrounded him to check on you."

“He believes you are the leader of our community.”

The old county sheriff interrupted Theodore, reminding him that the attack was directed at him, or that Bernie had pushed him away.

Theodore shook his head as he looked at the old county sheriff's graying temples. He reminded the two of them that they had been standing together at the time, and that the killer had used a wooden stick, not a rifle.

Achieving that level of accuracy with a wooden stick is already quite remarkable.

Another reason Theodore believed the killer targeted Bernie was that Bernie was younger, stronger, and more threatening than the veteran sheriff.

"This is a migration of hunting habits from social animals. Subduing the leader first can quickly cut off the group's command center and plunge the entire group into chaos."

"But he failed."

“He will wait until we are off guard before launching another attack.”

"During this time, if given the opportunity, the killer will definitely launch another attack on you."

The old sheriff looked at Bernie again.

He felt there was a thick barrier between him and Theodore.

Of all that jumbled information, he only understood the last sentence: the killer was targeting Bernie.

Bernie looked serious and asked Theodore if the killer would definitely attack him if he went out now.

He understood. He guided the old county policeman to think like a hunter: the murderer was the hunter, and they were a pack of prey.

Now that they've been brought together, the murderer has killed their messenger, effectively cutting off their escape route.

The next step is to harass them, wear down their strength and will, gradually tighten the encirclement, and finally deliver a fatal blow.

Even if they manage to stay until dawn and descend the mountain together, he will still hunt them down.

It takes half a day to walk from here to the foot of the mountain. Half a day is enough time for the murderer to wipe them out, as they are thirsty, hungry, and terrified.

To avoid either of these situations, people must be lured out before they become capable of resisting.

The bait was Bernie.

This time, the veteran county policeman understood.

He wanted to say something, but he felt these were all Theodore's guesses and not necessarily true.

He glanced back at his four colleagues. They were standing by the campfire, seemingly still reeling from the tragic fate of their companion.

He looked down at his two colleagues at his feet, who lay there quietly with their chests exposed.

In the end, he could only ask with a complicated look in his eyes, "What if we fail?"

Theodore thought for a moment, then looked at Bernie with a serious expression: "He will keep your skull in a special place."

"Because he considers you to be the leader of the tribe, and specimens made from the leader's skull have a more special meaning to hunters."

The old sheriff and Bernie looked at each other, unsure of how to react.

Theodore reminded the old county sheriff and Bernie not to over-glorify the killer.

He believes the killer was able to kill the two county sheriffs who were summoned by coercion.

For example, taking one person hostage to force the other to comply.

At the same time, we should not underestimate the murderer, nor should we rigidly assume that the murderer will always deal with all situations according to hunting habits.

“He’s human too, just like us.” Theodore pointed solemnly to his head: “Even smarter than us.”

His final instruction was, "Don't try to negotiate with him; subdue him the moment you meet him."

Bernie nodded and solemnly agreed.

Under the cover of Theodore and the old sheriff, Bernie carefully inspected his sidearm, and after confirming that everything was in order, the three of them returned to the campfire and sat down.

The four round-faced young men wanted to say something, but were stopped by the old county policeman.

Theodore and Bernie weren't in the mood for idle chatter either.

Silence fell around the campfire.

After staying there for more than an hour, Bernie got up and walked outside.

His actions attracted everyone's attention, and someone tried to remind him not to go outside, but was stopped by the old county policeman.

The old county sheriff watched Bernie walk alone into the darkness, his expression complex.

He glanced at Theodore beside him and found him calm and composed.

Today he finally understood why the Twin Detectives are called the Twin Detectives.

Bernie unconditionally trusts Theodore's guesses, and Theodore unconditionally trusts Bernie's skills.

…………

Walter Jenkins was thrilled to have successfully hunted two wild beasts.

He was particularly fascinated by that feeling.

He was certain that it was a feeling that no other prey could provide.

That captivated him deeply.

He couldn't wait to relive the experience.

But unlike four years ago, he was not impatient; instead, he waited patiently.

Soon, he got another chance.

Someone left the campfire and was walking towards the valley entrance!

Walter lay on the tree, watching the figure get closer and closer, and hesitated.

He suspected it was a trap. But after recognizing who it was, he hesitated.

This hesitation was quickly swallowed up by his fascination with the hunt after he saw that the person who came was completely unguarded and had his back to him.

This is the leader!

(End of this chapter)