I Am Tired Of Being A Hero
Chapter 105: Malik’s advice

Chapter 105: Malik’s advice

"I was hoping that you could give some advice about investigating the case. A criminal psychology portrait would be very helpful."

Malik frowned, "You should not be so partial to the profile given by a criminologist. A profiling result is less than 100% accurate and if you stick to the profile, it might make you overlook clues that would help you close the case."

Ravi nodded. That was true.

But Arlen smiled, "You said a criminologist. Are you saying that the profiles given by you are different? Ouch!" There was a slight pinch on his waist that made him look at Ravi.

Malik was not angry, he just smiled faintly.

"I understand, Professor Patel. We would use the profile as a reference with a certain range. We are police officers, we would still need evidence to close the case."

"Okay.’

Arlen began to explain the cases one by one, describing the scenes, the victims, and everything related to the case.

"Are we dealing with a serial arsonist?" Ravi asked, he might have ignored Lisa’s words several times but somehow her words started taking root.

"Or are we dealing with a pyromaniac?"

"Pyromania is an established psychiatric diagnosis that falls under the diagnostic classification of impulse control disorders. It is the uncontrollable impulse to repeatedly set fire with no obvious motives like to conceal a crime or financial gain, they set the first cause they experience pleasure, gratification, or release but it is different from your unsub. You said that the first house was burnt down but in the last two cases the damage to the house was smaller each time. This person has not increased in seeing the house burn, his target is the people inside the house."

"A revenge arsonist? The prep has the ability to control fire. If he could, then why now? Why is he talking now and what for?"

"Something or someone must have provoked or triggered him. He is seeking retaliation for an injustice whether real or imagined." Malik paused, causing the room to be quiet for over five minutes.

Ravi looked at Arlen who in turn gestured for him to be patient.

"The place is important."

"The place?"

"For someone who can casually cause someone to combust, he could do it when they are driving or going out for a walk but he chose their homes. They had to be home and they had to be with family. To burn in the place they felt most safe and with the people they cared about the most. I suggest you should investigate more about victims and if they had any connection with fires. The lawyer perhaps?"

Arlen nodded thoughtfully and stood up, "Thank you for your help, Professor Malik."

"Just Malik."

"Thank you, Malik." Arlen nodded.

Malik also stood up, "You should hurry up. Judging from the cases, they are not far apart, this unsub might be on a revenge spree. He is racing against time."

Arlen nodded and reached out to help Ravi stand up.

"I will see you at home, Ravi."

"Sure." Ravi said absentmindedly, then he recalled how this person sent over breakfast and stopped, "This morning, I will surely pay you back for it."

Malik returned to his swivel chair and sighed softly, "I did it from the goodness of my heart. Don’t worry about paying me back."

Ravi scoffed and closed the door behind him.

"Breakfast?" Arlen asked.

Ravi shook his head, "That was not edible at all. Captain."

"Yes?"

"After this case, can you help me think of some really good pranks?" He looked back at the door. There was no way he was not going to get revenge.

Arlen chuckled, "Sure. I had cousins going up, I have some good ones." They walked down and entered the car.

Ravi stepped on the gas and zoomed off, he turned to Arlen, "Was it different from what you were expecting?"

"A little. I thought it would be more like The Blue Corals. He would be like, the unsub is 25-32 years old, tall, white, abused as a child, bullied in school, stuff like that."

Ravi chuckled, "You even said it in the voice of Chenxi."

Arlen laughed, "It is a good impression. When we close this case, I am going to binge it all night. I am in Season 14, episode 5."

"Season 14? Don’t you have a day job?" Ravi thought that he had done so well for his season 6.

"Ah! So I can spoil it for you."

"Don’t!" Ravi hurriedly said as he drove into the police Bureau.

Arlen did not open the car but just looked at him with gleaming, mischievous eyes, "Officer West, anytime you misbehave, I would spoil one episode for you." He leaned closer, "So be on your best behavior."

His voice was low and decadent like chocolate, pouring into Ravi’s ears as smoothly as top-shelf whiskey. Ravi felt his entire body warm up and he held the steering wheel even tighter.

The other was smiling, oblivious to how fast his heart was pounding in his chest. His throat felt dry and the words wouldn’t leave his mouth.

Ravi nodded, causing Arlen to chuckle.

"That scared me of spoiling the movie?" He opened the door and stepped out. He had almost reached the door, when he came back down and opened the door. Ravi was leaning on the steering wheel, "Are you alright? Are you sick? Do you need to go back home?"

Ravi swallowed. Pulling himself together with sheer will, he could think about it later, but now he needed to focus on his job. He pulled out the car key and stepped out, "I am fine. I was just thinking about the case."

Arlen’s eyes narrowed suspiciously but he did not push it. Malik was right, with the speed of the arsonist setting the fire, they needed to be faster.

They entered the Bureau and everyone looked up at the two of you, "You took so much time. We said if you did not come back in the next four minutes, we would have your share of the steamed buns." Lisa said, "Captain, thanks for the meal. You are the best."

Ravi looked at the blonde-haired haired who was smiling faintly. He is the best, isn’t he?