Jason was startled, and he subconsciously thought of the beginning of "Cross Street Stalker" he had just watched.
At the beginning, the protagonist stepped into the killer's trap because he was looking for the landlord's lost dog.
Thinking of this, Jason said half-jokingly.
"You're not my landlord, are you?"
"Um."
"I am your landlord."
An affirmative answer came from the receiver, making Jason frown.
Such a coincidence?
No!
It's not a coincidence, it's an arrangement!
Most likely, I arranged everything when I checked in here!
And the guy who arranged all this?
Of course it was the guy who committed the murder according to the description in the book!
What the other party wants to do is not just to commit murder!
But...
Recreate the content of "Cross Street Stalker"!
Jason thought quickly and had a rough guess, but his brows furrowed even more tightly.
Because he has no memory of how he rented here.
He's here as soon as he shows up.
Previous memories?
Not at all!
He doesn't even know the names of the cats and dogs he raised now.
While Jason was thinking, the voice on the other side of the microphone continued.
"I want to meet and talk, is that okay?"
The other party asked.
"Can."
Jason answered in the affirmative.
He wanted to know more, so he had no reason to refuse.
And the landlord named 'John' arrived faster than expected.
Just five minutes after Jason put down the receiver, there was a knock on the door——
Boom, boom!
"It's me, John."
Those who knock on the door announce their own door.
Jason did his usual inspection before opening the door.
This is a man who looks thin but is full of strength. His face is quite handsome, but he has an unkempt beard and long hair. It is so long that it is scattered on both sides of his face and shoulders, making him look decadent. The clothes on his body
It was even more simple, a pair of jeans and off-white long sleeves, with some stains on them, making the already decadent man look even more lonely.
"Sorry, I had to do some unnecessary things in order not to be seen."
The other party walked in directly, and after Jason closed the door, he pointed at the stains on his clothes.
Jason nodded noncommittally.
However, his eyes were still staring at each other.
Jason could clearly feel the dangerous aura of the man in front of him who seemed decadent, lonely, and full of 'dejection'.
In the 'city that never sleeps', Jason has seen many such people.
Each one of them is a famous lone ranger.
Of course, he had no contact with these people. He only met them when delivering goods.
But this does not prevent Jason from remembering the advice given by the 'old man': Don't mess with people like this.
Stay away honestly.
Would someone steal such a person's dog?
Jason mourned for the other party from the bottom of his heart.
It was obvious that this dog was very important to the John in front of him.
To put it simply, this is no longer a matter of whether or not you can provoke it.
But...it will not stop until death.
When Jason was sizing up John, John was also sizing up Jason.
This was the first time he met Jason.
Before, when Jason moved in, the manager of the apartment reported it to him, but he was in no mood to pay attention to it at that time.
He has never seen a writer look like this.
He is nearly two meters tall, has strong muscles, and his arms are thicker than the thighs of ordinary people. He looks more like a wrestler than a writer.
A writer should be gentle and elegant when holding a pen.
The Jason in front of me is holding a pen?
It will only make people nervous and worried!
Because they were afraid that Jason would poke the pen into their bodies!
Is the pen the writer’s weapon?
John couldn't help but think of a famous saying.
At this time, he felt that this famous saying was quite reasonable.
Then, he silently took a step back.
Not only was he worried that Jason would get angry and hurt others, but he was also keenly aware of the fatal sense of danger in Jason.
This is the intuition given to him by his former profession.
Unmistakable intuition!
Jason and John just stood in the hallway looking at each other.
After more than ten seconds, the two of them moved together.
The two people began to move sideways, one step after another, to the sofa. During this process, the two people's eyes never left each other. They stared at each other's eyes, and looked at each other's arms, legs and feet with vigilance.
Even after standing next to the sofa, the two people's movements did not change, and they even pinched the back of the sofa with their hands unconsciously.
The sofa can not only be used for sitting, but also for throwing.
Of course, it can also be used as a shield.
Squeak, squeak!
Amidst the friction between the legs of the sofa and the floor, Jason and John each dragged the sofa back.
They didn't stop until they touched the wall behind each other.
Then, they sat on the sofa at the same time.
John's body was slightly bowed, like a leopard that was charging up, ready to explode at the slightest sign of trouble.
Jason was much more normal. He sat upright with his legs slightly apart, but his feet were slightly moved back in the slippers, using the uppers of the slippers to cover the curved and buckled toes.
Jason promised that if he exerts force on his toes, he can bounce up immediately.
When an accident occurs, he can not only respond immediately, but also complete an effective counterattack.
The two fell silent again.
Only the sound from the TV is left——
"It is reported that this time the murder took place in a remote alley. The poor lady had her arms cut off and was hung upside down. The body was also written with: boring, boring, not fun."
"Friends who have watched "Cross Street Stalker" must be familiar with this scene."
"However, this time it is no longer in a book, but in reality."
"Someone is imitating the killer in "Cross Street Stalker" and committing murder."
"Fortunately, we were able to interview the author of this book..."
The TV was broadcasting mosaic images, but this seemed to make people more interested in peeping.
Then the analyzed pictures appeared one after another, and combined with the host's explanation, people suddenly had a creepy feeling.
Excitement, fear.
After the combination of the two, the curiosity born is enough to attract people's attention.
Especially the Jason interview inserted at the end.
Jason's voice didn't come out, only a picture.
And just this one picture kept shaking up and down.
It seems like something happened
Then, as soon as the screen changed, they returned to the studio.
"We met the writer of "Cross Street Stalker", but the signal doesn't seem to be very good..."
The host continued.
Jason, on the other hand, was no longer interested in listening.
He simply turned off the TV.
What can't a bunch of guys make up for ratings?
Even if the other party said that he killed someone, Jason wouldn't be surprised.
After all, it is understandable for a has-been author to take desperate risks in order to gain attention.
"I've read your book."
After Jason turned off the TV, John suddenly spoke.
"How does it feel?"
Jason asked smoothly.
He hoped to break the silence between the two.
Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to ask anything at all, let alone get some useful information.
"The description of the body is very good."
“Professional grade!”
"Before, I doubted how you could write such a professional thing, but now?"
John looked at Jason again as he spoke and said no more.
Although I didn't say it, the meaning couldn't be more obvious.
"I'm a writer."
Jason emphasized.
Then, I added in my heart: At least this is my identity.
"I'm just a landlord."
"A guy who just lost his wife and then got rid of the most precious thing she left to me."
John also emphasized.
"Your wife?"
Jason asked appropriately.
"The disease took her life."
John said sadly.
"Feel sorry."
Jason said sincerely.
He could tell that the man in front of him must love his wife very much.
Naturally, he will also love the pets left by his wife.
Listening to Jason's sincere apology, John seemed to start talking.
"After meeting my wife, I chose to retire. I hope to live a simple and peaceful life with my wife, but accidents always happen."
"Illness claimed her before."
"There's nothing I can do."
"Because I'm not a doctor."
"But now that someone has taken away the most precious thing she left me, I think I need to do something."
John said slowly.
"I believe you can do it."
Jason nodded.
"So now we need to find that bastard who stole my dog - I'm worried about Daisy getting hurt, and I don't want her to get hurt even a little bit."
John said, taking a deep breath.
Then, he continued: "Since he imitated everything in your book, he will naturally call you."
"Um."
Jason didn't object.
Then, he asked curiously.
"How did you lose...her?"
Jason originally wanted to say it.
But when the words came to his lips, he changed it to her.
Jason doesn't mind respecting the pet owner's opinion, as long as the other person has no ill intentions.
"This morning, when I went to see my wife, Daisy was in the car. When I came back, Daisy was gone and my car was broken into, very professionally."
"There were no fingerprints, no footprints or any other traces left."
"Then, the copycat murder case of "Cross Street Stalker" came on the radio. I naturally thought of you as the author, and I am also your landlord."
John explained, looking at the only phone in the room.
He was waiting for the call from the imitator.
Then?
He will send the other person to confess.
"imitate?"
"I don't think it's imitation."
Jason said this after adjusting his sitting posture slightly.
Immediately, John's attention was attracted.
"Since I moved in here and you happened to have a dog, it stopped being imitation."
"But..."
"Reappear!"
Jason's tone increased, and he looked at John unblinkingly.
"The other party wanted to recreate what happened in "Cross Street Stalker", and what happened in it was synchronized. The protagonist was lured into the trap step by step by the killer, and the killer also killed innocent people at the same time.
And now?"
"Your dog should be near the murder just now!"
As soon as Jason finished speaking, John stood up and prepared to walk out.
John couldn't wait to take back his Daisy.
But at this moment——
Jingle bell bell!
The phone rang.
John's footsteps paused and he looked at the phone.
Jason directly picked up the receiver.
"Hello."
“How does it feel to have the attention back?”
A specially changed voice appeared.
The other party suppressed that mischievous smile.
Both proud and full of sarcasm.
"Not so good?"
Jason replied calmly, his tone very calm.
Such calmness caused the voice on the other side to pause for a moment. It seemed that the other side did not expect Jason to be so calm. The other side expected that Jason would feel angry even if he did not show any uneasiness.
But now?
calm.
"Interesting! Interesting! So interesting!"
"This is the 'writer' I'm looking forward to!"
"Come on, come on, the game begins!"
The other party let out a laugh mixed with excited gasping, hoarse but extremely excited.
After a full four or five seconds, the laughter stopped.
The other party's specially changed voice came again.
"You have already guessed where the dog is, right?"
"That……"
"Let's continue."
As soon as the voice fell, the call was hung up.
Jason maintained his initial calmness and hung up the phone.
As for the perverted behavior of the person on the other side of the receiver?
Jason was not surprised.
How could he do such a thing if he wasn't abnormal?
only……
Why would such a 'pervert' target him?
Or to be precise, there are so many excellent ones, why choose him, an author who is about to become obsolete?
Just to get him noticed again?
This idea appeared in Jason's mind, but Jason shook his head and denied it.
He looked at John.
"Together?"
Jason asked.
He needs to go see the scene.
Although the police have already been there and most of the valuable clues should have been collected, Jason still wants to go there and have a look.
After all, he has an unusual way of searching.
He was once an unqualified 'detective'.
When he thought of his former 'detective' career, he suddenly wanted to eat the cakes he had just baked.
"Can."
John didn't refuse.
Jason's performance gave him no reason to refuse.
Moreover, this incident also happened because of Jason.
"I made some preparations. The policemen who were staring here should have been distracted."
When going out again, John warned Jason.
And, as soon as he went out, he bent down.
Outside the apartment is a single-sided corridor. Through the cement fence on one side, you can directly see the street below.
At this moment, John is walking close to this fence.
Then, when he turned back to look at Jason, he realized that Jason had appeared on his side at some unknown moment.
Silently!
John's heart trembled.
He had tried his best to overestimate Jason, but at this time, he realized that he still seemed to have underestimated Jason.
At first glance, Jason looked like a strong person, suitable for frontal assault, but at this moment, he was as dexterous as a cat... No, no, not a cat, but a strong leopard.
Maybe a rhinoceros?
John looked at Jason's strong figure and quickly changed the adjective.
Then, he looked at Jason's big pants, pajamas, and slippers.
John wanted to remind Jason, but ultimately said nothing.
At this time, finding Daisy is the most important thing.
Jason, John go hand in hand.
The two of them arrived at the parking lot behind the apartment easily.
Parked here is an old car that doesn't match its era.
Not a classic car.
It's a sedan with three-color stripes, but it looks more like a muscle sports car.
“The car is nice.”
Jason commented.
He is a qualified 'postman' and knows a lot about cars.
Although he couldn't tell the make of the car in front of him, he could see that the car in front of him was not only well maintained, but also modified in many places.
For faster modification.
This was confirmed after Jason opened the passenger door and got in.
The front row remains the same, but all unnecessary things in the back row have been removed.
Includes seats.
This is for weight loss.
However, just after Jason got in, the car tilted slightly.
Jason is bigger than he lets on.
John glanced at his car with a slightly heartbroken look, and then stepped on the accelerator.
Buzz!
Suddenly, the whole car erupted with that unique roar, like a beast on land, roaring and rushing out.
Without further questioning, John, who had already investigated clearly, drove straight to the scene of the murder: Olive Street.
Olive Street, located in the North District of Cherry City, is a street in the old city.
There was a time of glory here.
But as time went by, the wealthy migrated, the South District replaced the North District, and Olive Street became a lot more dilapidated. Those shops that originally seemed quite fashionable at the time now represent backwardness.
Buildings of low-cost apartments provide cheap accommodation for many civilians and migrant workers.
The body was found in the alley between apartments.
Just like the description in the book, this is a narrow, dark alley.
Even worse.
The sunlight was completely blocked by the apartments on both sides, and no light shone in, making the place not only dark but also a little cold, and the residual smell of blood kept entering the noses of those who approached.
Jason saw the police cordon in the distance.
Several police officers were standing there, guarding the scene and blocking approaching reporters.
These reporters were like flies that smelled blood, buzzing around.
And those who live here have a look of worry and fear.
Jason believed that more police officers were investigating, asking for confessions, and also comforting local residents.
He glanced at John.
"Daisy? Daisy?"
John shouted impatiently.
Unfortunately, no response was heard.
After John gave Jason a signal with his eyes, he immediately searched around.
He had also read the book "Cross Street Stalker". According to the description in the book, his dog should be near the murder scene.
And Jason?
Then he slowly approached the crime scene.
Of course, the cordon was not crossed.
Jason stood behind the crowd, looking beyond the cordon and looking inward, just like the reporters crowding around him.
However, compared with those reporters who stuck their upper bodies in to get a closer look at the murder scene, Jason stood straight.
He was tall, it wasn't crowded, and he could see what was inside.
A blue plastic sheet.
This wide blue plastic sheet not only surrounded the end, but also blocked everyone's view, leaving people to only guess what was going on inside.
Jason subconsciously looked up at the apartments on both sides.
His eyes were blocked.
What about high places?
Then, Jason saw a few people poking around the apartment. Judging from the way these people were dressed, they should be reporters, and there was annoyance on their faces.
Obviously, this blue plastic sheet should completely block all sight.
Of course, it's not for everyone.
Apart from the police, there are at least two people who will not be blocked.
The first person to discover the crime scene will not.
besides……
Naturally, the murderer who arranged this crime scene wouldn't.
The former should still be recording statements in the police station at this time, and the latter?
Jason directly activated the sense of death!
His eyes scanned the surroundings.
Some murderers have a high probability of returning to the scene of their crimes.
Especially those who are conceited do this.
They like to see the police busy in vain, and even more like to see the panic of the people around them.
They may even create some clues to confuse the investigators.
In the phone call just now, judging from the words of the other party, he looked very much like this person.
However, Jason looked around and saw no one except the police who was infected with the death aura similar to the terminal one, but the remnants of the death aura were very clear.
Undoubtedly, the end of the alley was not the first place where the crime occurred.
The other party just used it as a stage for self-expression, and the real place of the crime was elsewhere.
And what’s left now?
It should be where John the Dog is placed.
Jason walked along the remnants of death.
Soon, he walked from the murder scene to the alley next door.
Different from the alley just now, the apartments on both sides of this alley are higher and lower. The sunlight comes from the lower side and is reflected on the wall and glass of the apartment on one side.
The reflected sunlight brightens the similarly narrow place.
Under the light, the darkness suddenly dissipated.
They are only separated by one floor, but it feels like they are in two worlds.
The alley just now was filled with panic and uneasiness.
This place is full of afternoon comfort.
Jason walking here did not hide his whereabouts, he walked openly and openly in everyone's sight.
In the afternoon, a tall and strong man, whose muscles could not be completely concealed even in pajamas, was walking in a dense apartment area wearing large pants and slippers. He was undoubtedly conspicuous and eye-catching.
Many people stared at Jason, but no one went up.
Jason's tall and strong figure is enough to intimidate most people.
Therefore, Jason quite successfully reached the end of the dead air: a cardboard box.
The cardboard box in front of me was stained with the remnants of the past, and inside the cardboard box there was a stronger aura of death.
Jason narrowed his eyes and instantly guessed something.
At this moment, John arrived after searching the other side. When he saw the cardboard box, he immediately passed Jason and rushed towards the cardboard box.
Standing in front of the cardboard box, this depressed man stretched out his hands with slightly trembling hands and slowly opened the cardboard box.
