Nightmare Paradise : Starting as a Doctor

Chapter 76: Desperate Cornered Murderer

Lynn and John collaborated to develop a strategy for pursuing the leads deduced. They decided to start by canvassing the area near the crime scene and questioning residents who might have seen anything suspicious or had interactions with a redhead woman.

"We will need more manpower. Otherwise, the killer will quickly notice something and escape," Lynn expressed his concerns.

John nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. " I anticipated this and already asked for reinforcements before coming here with you," he reassured Lynn. "They will be here in a few minutes."

A sudden commotion filled the air as he spoke, echoing through the surroundings. The distinct sound of hooves pounding against the ground reached their ears, growing louder with each passing moment.

"They're here," Lynn declared, indicating the arrival of the reinforcements.

He shifted his gaze toward the entrance of the alleyway. Despite being positioned deep within its confines, he had a clear view of a team of patrol officers approaching on two carriages, rounding the corner with precision.

The officers swiftly parked their carriages and gathered in front of Lynn and John, assuming formation and eagerly awaiting instructions. Lynn's eyes widened with surprise as he spotted Ritz, whom he had rescued from the tower, among the new arrivals.

"It's your turn to play," Lynn said, gesturing towards the sheriff's deputy, acknowledging John's role in leading the investigation.

John took a deep breath, gathering his resolve. "Alright, let me take care of this," he responded, his tone determined.

He called out to the officers surrounding him, both those already present and those who had just arrived, and began to issue orders, projecting authority.

"You four," he commanded, pointing to a group of officers, "start questioning the people who work and live in this area, particularly any butchers. Inquire if they have any knowledge of a red-headed woman."

Deputy John then turned his attention to two more officers, his gaze focused and intense. "You two," he instructed, "discreetly spread the word that we have a suspect description - someone shorter than average, strongly built, and left-handed. See if it strikes a chord with anyone."

Addressing the remaining officers, John continued to assert his leadership. "For the rest of you, begin collecting and meticulously recording all the evidence. The crime scene needs to be thoroughly cleaned," he commanded, emphasizing the importance of their tasks.

As the officers dispersed, diligently carrying out their assigned duties, John muttered under his breath, his voice a blend of determination and concern, "I hope this produces some kind of lead."

During this time, Lynn ventured out of the narrow alley and started exploring the surrounding area. The abandoned factory stood next to a densely populated residential community, possibly once housing the workers who toiled within its walls. This proximity made it a prime location where the killer could be.

The plan was simple. Lynn, motivated by his hypothesis, held the belief that increasing the level of search activity and scrutiny in the surrounding area would provoke a response from the murderer.

He particularly focused on disseminating the suspect's description widely, effectively notifying the perpetrator that their attempt of deception by making the investigators believe that the murder was the result of a monster attack had failed.

At the core of Lynn and John's plan was the assumption that the amplified pressure and attention would create a sense of unease and fear for the culprit.

This fear would either compel the offender to expose themselves through their actions or inadvertently provide crucial evidence that would aid in their identification and capture.

As expected, the officers swiftly fanned out across the residential area, diligently following their orders. Their authoritative presence and relentless inquiries sent a wave of unease and tension rippling through the already anxious atmosphere caused by the passage of multiple law enforcement carriages in the area.

Meanwhile, positioned strategically in a concealed spot, Lynn carefully observed the unfolding events. He couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction as his meticulously crafted plan began to take shape.

From his vantage point, Lynn could see the reactions of the residents as the officers went about their investigation. Faces etched with worry and curiosity peeked through curtains, while hushed conversations and anxious whispers filled the air. The normally peaceful neighborhood had been transformed into a stage of apprehension and suspicion.

After some time, a growing commotion disrupted the otherwise tense atmosphere, originating from a nearby location. Lynn's senses heightened, immediately honing in on the distant disturbance. The air filled with frightened shouts and the rapid echo of hurried footsteps, carrying an unmistakable sense of urgency.

In the blink of an eye, a sharp whistle pierced through the clamor, slicing through the tension-laden air. He immediately recognized it as the prearranged signal for assistance, a clear indication that someone had discovered a potential suspect.

Lynn's heart quickened with anticipation as he swiftly approached the source of the commotion. He maneuvered through the narrow streets, following the sound of the panicked voices and urgent footsteps.

As he arrived at the scene, his high speed granting him the advantage of being the first responder, he immediately assessed the situation.

His keen eyes quickly caught sight of a burly, average-height man who had brandished a menacing dagger in his left hand. Gripping a frail and helpless individual as a hostage, the assailant held the sharp blade perilously close to his captive's vulnerable throat.

At the sight of the armed man, fear and panic instantly swept through the already tense crowd, causing them to scatter in all directions. The atmosphere turned chaotic as people desperately sought safety, their heartbeats pounding in their chests.

The patrolling officer who whistled for assistance stood frozen, his hand still raised to his lips, shock evident on his face. It was clear that he hadn't expected the situation to escalate to this level.

Ritz, the lucky officer who found the murderer, quickly regained his composure and raised his weapon, taking careful aim at the agitated man to defuse the volatile atmosphere. "Sir! Don't do anything rash," he ordered. " Violence will only make things worse."

However, the opposite effect occurred as the man grew even more agitated upon catching sight of the firearm pointed directly at him. His facial expression contorted with a potent mix of anger and desperation.

"Stay back or I'll slit his throat!" the burly man bellowed, his voice resonating with a lethal edge, as he exerted more pressure with the blade against the quivering worker's neck.

The skinny hostage whimpered in sheer terror, his eyes bulging with fear, as he comprehended the gravity of his predicament. The murderer maintained his firm grip, unwilling to relinquish his leverage.

Lynn's mind raced as he assessed the dangerous situation before him, searching for potential options to defuse the situation. He knew that any misstep could result in tragedy, and the life of the hostage was at stake.

However, before he could do anything, he noticed that the other officers who were nearby and had heard the whistle were rapidly approaching. They started to form a perimeter around the hostage scene, trying to cut any potential escape routes for the murderer.

As the officers encircled the area, their weapons trained on the suspect, and his panic intensified. Like a cornered animal, he grew increasingly volatile, his head whipping around as he realized he would soon be surrounded.