During the interrogation process, members of the task force suddenly withdrew in a disheveled manner, leaving the suspect alone in the interrogation room, including Dr. Song Rui, commonly known as the "Soul Catcher." This was an unprecedented situation. The branch director quickly learned of this and rushed over to investigate. Without inquiring about the specifics, he rebuked Zhuangzhen and then asked Xiao Li for the interrogation video to watch.
After watching, the director said...
Xiao Li passionately explained, "Director, did you see that? It's not that we are useless; the enemy is too powerful! Liu Deputy avoided wherever Vanga pointed, and he didn't deviate at all, pointing directly at our noses, as if he had X-ray vision. Just now I specifically went to the interrogation room to take a look, and there was no problem with the mirror. Vanga can not only see through objects but also see through people's hearts, describing our characters and experiences clearly and vividly. You missed out; you didn't drink that cup of water, otherwise, you would definitely question your existence! I have replayed that segment many times, and he didn't touch the cup, yet he inexplicably made the water bitter through such thick steel. Even a magician doesn't have this ability. I can't find any flaw in him, so I have every reason to believe that everything he said before is true. He really is a medium, and Gao Yize's death was seen by him during a seance."
"Medium, seance? What era is this? You still believe in such superstitious things? Continue interrogating him. We must find a breakthrough from him today!" The director scolded sternly. As the head of the branch, he naturally couldn't promote superstition, but deep down, he was feeling uneasy. This Vanga was really eerie, giving people goosebumps. Moreover, he was like a magnet, able to attract all the attention around him at will, even through a screen. What would the people facing him in the face-to-face interrogation feel?
Thinking this way, the director's tone couldn't help but soften a lot as he said, "Zhuang, you and Dr. Song don't take too long to strategize, hurry and continue the interrogation. While you are considering strategies, Vanga is definitely also organizing his thoughts. He currently has the upper hand, is stable in mindset, and clear in thinking. The longer you spend on devising a strategy, the more opportunities you give him. Do you understand?"
Zhuangzhen and Song Rui naturally understood this principle. The two nodded, then tidied up the documents on the table and prepared for the next round.
Before leaving the office, the director suddenly said, "Dr. Song, if you have time, go to a specialized institution for a psychological assessment. It's not that we don't trust you, but it's the requirement of the system, and we have no choice."
Song Rui was briefly puzzled before politely nodding, "Alright, once this case is resolved, I will go for the assessment. I'm sorry for causing trouble."
"It's okay, we are all on the same team. It's no trouble at all," the director said with an awkward smile.
Xiao Li didn't dare to voice his opinion on this issue and remained quiet throughout, like a mouse. As they walked towards the interrogation room with thick files in hand, each wore a resolute expression but was filled with doubts inside. Xiao Li couldn't hold back and whispered, "Captain, how are we going to make Vanga open up? Even if we suspect his words, we still can't find any evidence or loophole! This person is simply too elusive!"
"Let's try the good cop, bad cop interrogation method. We are not Vanga's match in psychological tricks, so let's use a more straightforward approach." Zhuangzhen suggested.
The so-called good cop, bad cop method involved one officer playing the role of a severe interrogator, while the other played the role of a sympathetic interrogator assisting the suspect by finding various reasons for exoneration. The suspect, while repelling the fears of the bad cop, unconsciously developed a sense of reliance on the good cop as the interrogation continued, eventually speaking the truth. This interrogation method had not been used for a long time, as it was too crude and could easily go too far.
Song Rui was skeptical of this approach and asked, "What if he doesn't respond to both soft and hard tactics?"
Zhuang Zhen decisively replied, "Then we'll engage in a war of attrition and keep wearing him down."
Xiao Li felt a sense of despair and murmured, "Boss, a war of attrition can only last for twenty-four hours! If we can't crack him, we'll have to release him after twenty-four hours. He has withstand the most intense battles, so he won't crack in the following interrogation."
Zhuang Zhen grimly said, "We'll see about that later." Undoubtedly, Van Gelo is the most tenacious, elusive, and cunning suspect he has ever encountered. Every word he speaks, down to every single word, leaves no room for doubt.
A medium? Does such an otherworldly entity really exist in the world?
As they walked to the interrogation room, Zhuang Zhen's resolute footsteps unexpectedly faltered, and he stood at the door for quite some time before entering. Xiao Li had intended to get a close encounter with Van Gelo, but was pushed aside by Liao Fang, who rushed in and took the position of the recorder.
"You should go to the observation room, I'll take care of this," she said, excitedly entering. Her voice was filled with excitement.
"Hey, why are you doing this?" Xiao Li reached for Liao Fang's collar but was a step too slow, and could only enter the observation room to watch.
All the cameras were recording Van Gelo's every move. Xiao Li rewound the surveillance videos and was shocked to find that Van Gelo hadn't changed his position since they left. He was leaning back in the chair, legs crossed, hands clasped, with his thumbs lightly tapping against each other, making no sound. His face was bathed in bright light, with thick eyelashes slightly drooping over his pitch-black, profound eyes. He sat in the brilliant light, like an unchanging star of ancient times.
Seeing Van Gelo like this, Xiao Li couldn't help but exclaim, "It's over, if we've left him here for so long and he's still this composed, the rest of the interrogation is pointless!"
Liu Tao, who had walked in, rubbed his balding head and cursed, "Damn it, what can we use to deal with him? We're out of options!"
Zhuang Zhen, stepping into the interrogation room with giant strides, was also pondering the same question—what method to use to deal with this person in front of him? Will intimidation work? Or will it be like entertaining a clown?
However, he had no time to dwell on it now. He took a deep breath and slammed the file he was holding onto the table, sternly questioning, "Van Gelo, how do you explain the death predictions you posted online? You are disrupting the police investigation, and we have the right to charge you!"
The tremor from the table's impact startled Liao Fang, causing her face to pale. Song Rui, who was usually unflappable, paused for a moment during his approach, then instinctively adjusted the frames on his nose. It was a unique gesture when he was adjusting his mindset.
Liu Tao and Xiao Li, startled by the sudden loud noise, both jumped in place, then clutched their chests with a look of shock. Who could handle the captain's volatile temper?
But Van Gelo could handle it. He sat quietly in the chair, unmoved, not even lifting his head, and not a single eyelash quivered. His thumbs, which had been tapping, now intertwined, and the previously listless action suddenly seemed to carry a hint of interest.
Leaning further back, he stared at Zhuang Zhen with an almost abyssal gaze, taunting, "Zhuang officer, my perspective is precisely the opposite of yours. The death predictions I posted on Weibo are not meant to disrupt or mislead, but to show you the way. How can you blame me if you choose to take the wrong path? I have said what I could say; I have done what I could do. I have fulfilled the obligation of a law-abiding citizen, and I have a clear conscience. Your lack of investigative ability is your own problem, don't try to push the blame onto me."
Zhuang Zhen: ...
Honestly, he was feeling lost for words now. Rapidly going over Van Gelo's words in his mind, he actually found them quite reasonable. Van Gelo had clearly told them the number of victims, it was just that they hadn't noticed.
Liu Tao: ...
Xiao Li: ...
Damn it, the First Division will surely be permanently shamed because of this case! Van Gelo had never misled them, instead, they had been off track the entire time!
Song Rui had no sense of honor or shame, so he quickly identified the main point: "But you've been playing word games with us and haven't told us the specific details. Isn't that misleading? If you had reported to the police beforehand, all of this wouldn't have happened."
"Dr. Song, you've got it all wrong," Van Gelo smiled and waved his hand, "When I stood face to face with you and confronted you, you couldn't accept the truth. If I had rushed to the police station and said I saw several murders through clairvoyance, can you guarantee you wouldn't have sent me to a mental hospital? You're telling me not to play word games, but if I provided more detailed information on Weibo, can you guarantee the murderer wouldn't come after me first? Dr. Song, those who speak, often don't feel the pain."
Song Rui: ...
Alright, in terms of a sharp tongue, he was no match for Van Gelo.