Julian Grant smiled, pointed behind him, and said, “Go ask the sister upstairs. She was once kept under police surveillance as a suspect for several months. She argued when she needed to, cursed when she needed to, but when something happened, she still trusted the police the most. Why? Because ‘police’ is an identity, a profession, a part of the country’s order—it’s not something that can be represented by just a few people. If you take one point and exaggerate it, then use it to imply the whole team, or even the whole society, calling you a ‘young person’ is already putting it mildly.”

“Then how do you explain Harry Forrest? Wasn’t he miserable?” Rachel Thornton said. “Trident and the police keep making copies of Harry Forrest—isn’t that because they suspect something fishy happened back then? In the end, they pushed Harry Forrest out, but instead of calming things down, it only made the situation worse.”

Julian Grant looked at her with a half-smile.

“What? Am I wrong?” Rachel Thornton glared. “Not to mention the person who was ‘killed’ by Harry Forrest, just the witnesses on the surface—five of them are dead. Some murderers don’t even realize they’ve become someone else’s weapon in the end. Isn’t that terrifying? And how many more people like them are out there? Andrew Forrest is a perfect example. I’m sure you’ve found quite a few, right? What’s wrong? Are you scared?”

“Did Harry Forrest tell you that? Too bad, your reasoning doesn’t convince me,” Julian Grant said. “To be realistic, do you know how much it costs us to make a single copy? You might not earn as much as we spend on modeling in your whole life. Why would I make such a big investment in you just because of your subjective description? Trident didn’t get to where it is today by relying on feelings. Unless you have evidence proving there’s a connection between your father’s case and Harry Forrest’s, just give it up.”

Rachel Thornton felt this adult was too worldly, all about pragmatism, and was about to get up and leave.

Julian Grant said, “If you leave again, I won’t keep sitting here waiting for you.”

Rachel Thornton sat back down, her just-lifted bottom returning to the seat.

All in all, she was still a rather sensible young woman.

“Get Harry Forrest to come see me. You can’t handle us,” Julian Grant said. “His teacher is in the hospital, and he’s at least somewhat connected. Is he really not going to come and check in?”

Rachel Thornton scowled and pouted. “He’s not coming. No way.”

Julian Grant replied bluntly, “Then I’m leaving.”

“Wait!” Rachel Thornton stood up anxiously. “My father worked at D University Affiliated Hospital. The doctor who issued the assessment report for Meredith Stone and accused my father of sexual assault was also from D University Hospital. Andrew Forrest was a victim of domestic violence, and a few times when she was seriously injured and sought medical help, she went to that hospital. In the copy you made public before, the other domestic violence victim, ‘Julia Campbell’, also went to that hospital! That’s the connection! As long as you bring my dad into your circle, you’ll find the link between them! The reason you haven’t made progress is because your target range is too narrow!”

Julian Grant gave her a serious look.

The one who incited Xavier Daniels to kill his father, Ruby Donovan, also had a long history of treatment at D University Affiliated Hospital, but this was something Julian Grant wouldn’t tell her.

Julian Grant said, “We’ve checked similar records. To be precise, ‘Julia Campbell’ went to every major hospital in the city in order to get pregnant. Andrew Forrest didn’t have a fixed hospital, but usually chose the one closest to home. The departments they visited weren’t even the same, and there’s no clear pattern. Besides, D University Affiliated is a well-known hospital, receiving countless patients every day. It’s not unusual for locals to have been there. Your connection is a bit forced.”

Rachel Thornton said in frustration, “What do I have to say for you to believe me? All five witnesses lied, and each of them has something to hide! Meredith Stone’s weakness is my dad—that’s your investigation direction. Harry Forrest thinks so too! No one knows the killer better than he does!”

“We’ll keep an eye on it. You should go home for now,” Julian Grant reminded her before leaving. “Don’t talk about these things with others, and don’t run around. Those people across the way are like mad dogs—when they go crazy, they have no sense of social responsibility. Don’t make yourself a target. And pass a message to Harry Forrest: if he trusts us, then come out. If he wants to hide, then hide better—don’t let anyone find him.”

Rachel Thornton: “So, are you agreeing or not? Hey—”

·

Julian Grant left empty-handed and came back empty-handed.

The Vault was drinking water. When she saw him come in, she stopped watching TV, grabbed the tablet beside her, and typed: “Back so soon? Do you miss the air in the hospital room?”

Julian Grant raised an eyebrow, ignored her childishness, leisurely walked over to close the curtains, locked the door, and then sat down on the single sofa.

“I ran into Rachel Thornton downstairs,” Julian Grant said. “Chatted with the girl for a bit.”

He then roughly recounted the conversation to The Vault. The Vault tapped her fingers on the screen, frowning thoughtfully.

Julian Grant said, “She actually has a point—our target range is too narrow, at least compared to the other side. That’s why we can never piece together the clues they leave behind.”

It was like a giant spider web, and they had only caught hold of a single thread. There were so many branching paths on that thread, and they had no idea where the mastermind was.

Julian Grant even felt tempted to just try something at random.

The Vault thought for a long time, then replied: It’s worth a try.

Julian Grant asked, “Because you trust Harry Forrest?”

The Vault: He’s been missing for so long, he has to be doing something. After all, he’s my student.

Julian Grant thought that made sense. Harry Forrest had been missing for so long, and still risked staying in A City—there must be another reason.

Julian Grant said, “If it really is related to the hospital…”

The Vault shook her head: I still think it’s not a doctor.

The Vault: D University Affiliated isn’t some obscure private hospital. It’s not unusual to have been there, so there’s no need to force a connection. That would just limit our thinking.

The Vault: Harry Forrest might just be bluffing her. There’s no way he’d tell such important evidence to a naïve and innocent girl. He just wants us to follow his plan for the investigation.

Compared to himself, The Vault definitely understood Harry Forrest better. Since she said so, Julian Grant didn’t insist.

“I’ll check with Captain Harris about their progress.”

He took out his phone and called Henry Harris.

After a brief greeting, Julian Grant asked, “Captain Harris, how’s that drug dealer from before?”

Henry Harris said, “He’s been taken for rehab. Pretending to be crazy, refusing to cooperate. He’s not under our jurisdiction now, but those people have their ways. Once he sobers up, we’ll go question him. Don’t worry. How’s The Vault?”

Julian Grant: “She’s okay, just can’t talk for now.”

The Vault made a gesture.

Julian Grant added, “But she’s not resting at all. She asked me to say hi to you.”

“I’m doing well,” Henry Harris laughed. “Just tell her to get more rest.”

Julian Grant deeply felt the power of double standards, and continued, “Any results from the investigation I asked you to help with?”

“Yeah,” Henry Harris said. “Rachel Thornton is just Rachel Thornton, and her father Harold Thornton did die in a car accident. The case is really old, and it wasn’t our jurisdiction at the time. If you need the specific files, we’ll have to get them from another bureau.”

Julian Grant said, “That’s a hassle.”

Henry Harris was puzzled by his sudden insistence: “Why? Did you find something new?”

Julian Grant couldn’t mention Harry Forrest, so he said, “No evidence, just a hunch. The other side always uses people or cases close to the target for manipulation and threats. If we broaden our search, maybe we’ll find something.”

“A hunch?” Henry Harris’s tone grew stern. “Whose hunch?”

Julian Grant unceremoniously sold out his teammate: “The Vault’s.”

Henry Harris’s tone changed, and he mused, “Hmm, makes sense. That’s worth checking.”

Julian Grant: “…??” Are you serious?

Henry Harris explained perfunctorily, “Her hunches are very accurate. Sometimes her brain processes subtle information even before she realizes it, and that’s how she makes her judgments.”

Julian Grant said sourly, “Oh.”

Henry Harris said, “But this case was closed a long time ago, and it wasn’t our responsibility back then. There’s no new evidence, so it’s not convenient for us to get involved.”

Julian Grant: “People from Trident can investigate first.”

Henry Harris: “Alright, I’ll get the files and ask my old colleagues. We’ll share any updates right away.”

Julian Grant hung up and nodded at The Vault.

The Vault typed: Does Trident have interview rights?

Julian Grant said, “Of course. Trident is such a big company, with so many departments. I even have a press card. Many details in [Crime Analysis] couldn’t be reconstructed just from documents.”

The cold electronic voice slowly spat out three loud and clear words: Shock! Ing!