Chapter 35: She is First?

Decker was the first to move. He hurried to the first crime scene to observe the clues. He needed to prove his abilities to everyone, especially that brazen poor girl! Most people crowded around the crime scene. It was clear that this competition was very difficult; many had serious expressions. As time ticked by, everyone looked like students taking an exam, frowning in deep thought, occasionally glancing at others, fearing someone might come up with the correct answer before them. Irene was the first to submit her answer. She calmly placed the paper with the murderer's name face down on the waiter's silver tray, drawing many people's attention. "With such a short time, she must have guessed randomly." "She got the last question right; this girl is not simple." "Hmph, who knows if she just got lucky? I don't believe all these elites could be outdone by a little girl." After most had submitted their answers, people began to discuss. "I say it's definitely the person from the second room!" "Rich, racist, and an extreme anti-gay advocate—too suspicious." "Precisely because it's so obvious, it's hard to be sure." "Mr. Decker, who did you choose?" Decker raised his wine glass in a modest toast, saying, "There are still some things I haven't figured out, so I'm not certain yet." Though he said this, his expression was full of confidence. The person who asked looked at Decker enviously and sighed, "Alas, someone like me surely got it wrong." Decker smiled and said, "The final answer hasn't been revealed yet; don't give up so easily." Hausman listened to the discussions around him and asked Irene, "Sister, who did you write down?" Irene took a glass of juice from the waiter: "The Latin American reporter." Joel widened his eyes: "Why him? The person in the second room seems very suspicious." Hausman thoughtfully said, "It's too coincidental. Based on the timeline, the second victim died the day after the first suspect was publicly suspected." "This doesn't fit the pattern; it seems like someone deliberately directed media attention to accuse the police of covering up the culprit." Decker, passing by Irene and the others, heard this and snorted lightly. Immediately, those around Decker looked at Irene with mocking and pitying eyes. "Poor girl, she never thought the real culprit might want to mislead the police investigation." "What do you mean?" someone pretended not to understand. "The killer committed another murder the next day to make the police think it wasn't him. Got it? Some people might never understand." Several people laughed loudly. Decker pretended to stop them: "Don't say that, Miss Irene's point is still valid." Joel angrily slammed the table, standing up, but was pulled back down by Owen. "Don't pay attention to them, look at Irene." Joel turned and saw Irene sitting still, staring at them coldly. Hausman quietly tried to hide himself on the sofa. The captain was angry, best to stay away. Decker smiled leisurely: "That's better. Show respect to your elders." Meanwhile, Felice walked out with a small card. "Everyone has submitted their answers. The result is in my hand. Mr. Decker." Felice's voice was strong, with a unique crispness. Decker adjusted his collar and stood up, a perfectly timed smile on his face. Passing by Irene, he glanced at her. Irene kept her head down, not even giving him a look, busy texting. Joel was anxious, though Irene seemed confident, he was not: "Sister, how can you still be playing with your phone? We're done for; we'll be at the bottom." Irene turned off the screen, raised her eyebrow, and said coldly, "You are, not we." Owen raised his hand: "Decker has already gone up." He pointed to Joyce Baker: "They went up too." On the stage, Decker and Joyce stood on either side of the podium. No one seemed surprised by this; they smiled and clapped. Felice smiled and announced: "Mr. Decker and Mr. Joyce are second and third place, with times of twelve minutes thirty-three seconds and thirteen minutes eleven seconds. Mr. Decker's evidence presentation was clear, and Mr. Joyce's reasoning was unique, teaching the judges a lot." Second? Decker's face twisted instantly! Joyce's expression also darkened. He expected to be second, only behind Mr. Decker. The crowd was stunned. These two, considered the best detectives, weren't first? Then who was? Everyone recalled only one person submitted their answer before Decker and Joyce. Irene! But could it be? Could she be first? Felice announced: "First place goes to Irene's team! Congratulations to the top three winners!" An uproar ensued. Faces turned green and red, recalling their earlier mockery of Irene, now feeling utterly embarrassed. Decker lost his composure and snatched the card from Felice. It indeed said Irene! All eyes turned to Irene. Of course, Hausman, Joel, and Owen beside her also received their share of the attention. Joel, a racer by profession and a reasoning novice, had been yawning, bored and now unsure if he should lower his hand. Hausman shifted uncomfortably. Being a mercenary for so long, Hausman felt odd without a tactical mask and being stared at by so many people. Looking at the calm Irene beside him, Hausman couldn't help but admire: The boss is the boss, so composed! Irene calmly observed everything. Decker couldn't accept losing to Irene. He had been an FBI agent for decades, solving countless cases! How could this happen? He forced a deep breath and smiled: "Miss Felice, could there be a mistake?" "Yeah! How could she be first?" "I bet they mixed up the times or the names!" Felice laughed, hugging her arms. Everyone knew the chance of a mistake by the staff was low, but they stubbornly stared at Irene. No way to deal with these old-school detectives from City A. Felice raised her hand, and the screen displayed a note with elegant handwriting: The Latin American is the murderer. Team members: Irene, Hausman, Owen, Joel.