Chapter 1278 The Pleasure Criminal Who Takes Revenge on Society
The atmosphere inside the observation room was oppressive.
Sir Sarah rubbed her temples: "The two victims, a boy from Camden and a nightclub girl from Soho, had no overlap in age, gender, social class, or area of activity. The place where they were found was a relatively secluded corner with a high volume of people."
“Random placement.” Carlton said in a deep voice, “This is not a personal vendetta. The killer did not select a specific target. He chose the place and the time, where young people gather, are active at night, and are prone to curiosity or the mentality of finding a treasure. He placed the deadly bait in the place where it is easiest for people to pick it up.”
He turned the laptop in front of him over, which contained detailed information about the two victims: "Aidan Miller, introverted, adventurous, often goes to Camden Market to hunt for trinkets. Lena Torres, socially active, works in the service industry, likes parties."
He held up two fingers. “They only have two things in common: first, they are both young people; second, they both appeared in the wrong place at the right or wrong time and made the same choice: to pick up that necklace.”
Vincent, standing in front of the one-way mirror, turned around and looked back. "It wasn't a crime of passion. Crimes of passion are usually driven by confusion and impulse, but this killer was full of cold-blooded premeditation and patience. Making or buying cursed items would have taken a lot of time."
Choosing a drop location also requires observation, and ensuring the item is discovered requires a bit of luck. His grasp of human weaknesses is remarkably accurate; it's more like sowing seeds and then quietly waiting for the harvest.
“Taking revenge on society?” Sir Sarah shuddered. “Mr. Wayne, do such people exist among you wizards?”
Vincent nodded bitterly, "Wizards are human too. We have joys and sorrows. Apart from being able to use magic, we are no different from ordinary people."
“If it’s simply about taking revenge on society…” Carlton tapped his fingers lightly on the table, “then he could have chosen a more efficient and sensational method, such as directly attacking a crowd.”
He tapped the table faster and faster, as if he was speeding up his thinking. "This one-on-one, slow torture method is more like... savoring? Enjoying the process of each victim's life gradually withering away, enjoying the power to control the life and death of others."
He paused, then offered an even more chilling speculation: "This wasn't destruction for the sake of destruction; it was very likely a wicked pleasure, a process in which the killer derived immense satisfaction."
Randomness amplifies this pleasure; anyone, whoever you are, could be next. What the killer likely desires is this invisible fear.
Vincent listened quietly, his gaze once again turning to the two isolation chambers outside the one-way glass.
“Increasing the power of the curse…” His tone was full of disgust. “If Aidan was a test, then the murderer must be trying to achieve some deeper purpose…”
He didn't finish speaking, but Sir Sarah and the two senior MI6 officers understood what he meant.
The killer's motive remains unknown, but someone as meticulous as him would certainly be observing the Muggle government and the Ministry of Magic.
When he learns that the Ministry of Magic has taken no action and that everything is being handled by the Muggle government, he knows that more victims will inevitably appear until he achieves his goal.
Carlton and another senior official frowned.
When faced with a wizard, especially an antisocial pleasure offender like Vincent, there is very little they can do, and they can only place their hopes on Vincent, who is also a wizard.
In late November, London experiences short days and long nights. During these long nights, anyone could become the killer's next prey.
Maxmare Base, Oxfordshire, not far from Callum Science Centre.
Vincent, upon returning from St. Thomas' Hospital, didn't rest; he immediately gave Hunter two large bottles of hangover remedy.
"That's the situation. MI6's assessment leans towards pleasure crime; he wanted to take revenge on society."
Hunter pressed his temples hard; he was sober, but his brain was still processing the information Vincent had brought.
The Muggle government has been unusually assertive, producing an antisocial wizarding pleasure offender in less than a month. The Ministry of Magic is probably already secretly laughing.
Hunter suddenly straightened up. "Do you think it's possible that the Ministry of Magic is behind this?"
Vincent paused for a moment, then quickly shook his head. "Once things are exposed, even if Fudge is a dictator, he won't escape trial. He doesn't have the guts to deliberately violate the Secret Service Act."
Hunter responded with an "Oh".
He had never met Fudge, and his guess came from the Wayne family's repeated and blunt references to him as "the stupid minister."
That makes sense. If someone were truly an idiot, how could they possibly become Minister of Magic?
But when it comes to daring, Vincent is really bold.
To go to the Prime Minister's residence in broad daylight, and to go to a crowded place like a hospital without any disguise, is practically like having "I am a wanted criminal" written on his forehead.
Once Hunter had processed what he'd said, his expression turned serious. "MI6's capabilities are extremely limited. You want Maxma to get involved in the investigation?"
Vincent nodded slightly. "Whether Maxma intervenes or not, the killer will continue. The next victim might be tomorrow night, or the night after. With each day of delay, he gains more pleasure from his success, and his audacity grows. MI6's investigation takes time, and the Ministry of Magic..."
He sneered, “They would be more than happy to see Muggle society panic because of mysterious deaths of unknown origin, which would perfectly prove their argument that magic must be hidden.”
Hunter was silent for a long time, then patted Vincent on the shoulder heavily. "Yes, Maxma was founded precisely to deal with this kind of situation."
His eyes flashed with determination, "Even if it means going to a military court, I will find this damned murderer!"
After saying that, he pushed the empty wine bottle on the table aside, then unfolded a map of London and took out a red marker from the drawer.
"The locations chosen by the killers have something in common: places frequented by young people, and corners that are easy to spot but not too conspicuous. So the question is, how many similar locations are there in London?"
Hunter is an old Londoner whose family owns a hotel, so he knows this kind of location very well.
He circled dozens, even hundreds, of red circles on the map, including Brick Lane, Shoreditch neighborhood, Piccadilly Circus, parts of Notting Hill, and the outskirts of certain arts districts on the South Shore…
“Too many.” Vincent frowned. “Even if all Maxma’s members were scattered, it wouldn’t be possible to cover everything.”
Hunter slightly raised his chin. "Kid, you don't understand military matters, do you? We don't need to cover the whole of London."
He pointed to the city center area with a marker, "The killer is a wizard. Unlike you, he won't appear in such crowded places during the day. Our people don't need to be stationed at one spot. We just need to appear in high-risk areas like ghosts at specific times."
Vincent understood.
Although Hunter marked many locations, they were not always suitable for the killer to place the markers.
For example, parks are deserted at night, so releasing animals there would be pointless.
In contrast, areas like busy downtown areas, where people come and go during the day, are also unsuitable for deployment.
What Maxma had to do was to be in the right place at the right time.
……
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