Cinephile hustle

"All."

Ian hung up the phone.He knew that Jessica liked to make fun of him, so he didn't really take her request to heart.

But Haley didn't know what he said to Mrs. Megan, coaxing the other party to agree to let him enter Dr. Megan's study.

There are rows of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves here, which of course cannot be compared with the collection of books in the Russell family, but the whole room exudes a strong scholarly atmosphere, rigorous, tidy, and self-disciplined.

Ian's first feeling when he walked in was that he might not be suspicious of Dr. Megan.

Dr. Mende's collection of books is not only arranged according to category, but even sorted by color, size and thickness.Mrs. Mende said that this study has been kept in its last state before Dr. Mende's death.

The perpetrators of many serial cases show more or less excessive suppression and almost paranoid demands on things in daily life.

"What do you want to find here? You must know that Mrs. Meghan often cleans this place after her husband's death. If there is anything unusual, she should have discovered it long ago."

"That's because Mrs. Megan only pays attention to what her husband needs her attention. Her behavior and vision have already formed a pattern."

Haili was sitting at Dr. Meghan's desk, with his head half-raised, circling leisurely.

Ian turned his face sideways and observed the arrangement of Dr. Megan's books.

"You really don't want to know what I said to Evan?"

"I can ask Evan."

Hailey smiled, "How would Evan tell you? Using a Rubik's Cube?"

"That's my problem, not yours."

"Are you so sure that Evan is more honest than me?" Haili looked at Ian with his usual playful eyes.

Ian came in front of him, turned the swivel chair in his direction, and leaned down to support the armrest of the swivel chair, "Whether he is honest or not, he is my son."

Haili looked into Ian's eyes, and that trace of a smile made Ian's heart shake quietly.

He had the illusion of being completely seen through by Haley.

Just when Ian was about to look away, Hailey spoke.

"Ian, look behind you."

Haili glanced over Ian's shoulder. Ian turned around and saw a picture of climbing a snow-capped mountain.

Ian walked over, and there was another man besides Dr. Megan in the photo.

The photo frame was nailed to the wall. Ian took a closer look and found that the photo frame was thicker than usual.

Ian took a closer look and found that there were buckles on both sides of the photo frame. Ordinary buckles were pushed outwards, but the buckles of this photo frame were very tight.Ian knew Haley was looking at him, and he was smiling with interest.

"What are you looking at?"

"You know you still have to ask. But Uncle Ian, your place is really strong and beautiful, I really want to crash into it."

Hailey blinked, his tongue licking the corner of his lips.It might be uncomfortable if someone else is doing it.And Hailey, like a lazy cat.

He got up, went to the bookcase, pointed at the titles of each book, and then randomly picked out a few books to look at.This guy is still unwilling to do all physical work.

Ian pushed down the buckle of the photo frame until it reached a groove, then pushed it back up, and finally it popped open.

"come and see."

Haili heard Ian's call, put the book back in its place, and walked over.

When they took off the outer layer of the photo frame, they found that there was a space to put things inside.

It's just that everything inside is empty.

"What do you think is in there?" Haley asked with a smile.

"If Dr. Megan was the murderer in the case 15 years ago, there is obviously evidence in it."

"Ah, that's wrong, it's Dr. Megan's 'research materials'. Who do you think will take them?" Haley leaned towards Ian.

Ian pushed his head away and clicked on the man in the photo, "This seems to be Dr. Mende."

"Oh, now everything has changed from Dr. Megan to Dr. Mende again... The world has changed beyond my imagination."

"Don't talk nonsense, it's still too late to go back to New York."

Ian put the photos back in place and organized the frames.Everything looked exactly the same as when they first came in.

They left Megan's house. As soon as Ian unlocked the car, Evan ran to open the co-pilot's seat and snatched it in again.

Hailey tilted his head to open the door, but Evan pushed the car lock directly.

"Hey, little one, that spot is mine."

Unmoved, Evan stared ahead.

Haili knocked on the glass again, his voice became cold, "Open the door."

Ian walked around Haili and said coolly, "I'll leave if I don't get in the car."

Haili raised his eyebrows, but finally decided to open the rear door and got in.

They drove on the road, and Haili suddenly took out a book from his suit and read it with relish.

Ian frowned, "Where did you get that book?"

"On the bookshelf, Dr. Megan's collection." Haley said with a natural expression.

"What? You're stealing! Mrs. Meghan didn't agree to us taking anything!"

After speaking, Ian was planning to turn around and go back to Megan's house.

"Don't be so impulsive, Ian. This is just a book, and this book was given to Dr. Meghan. Shall I read it to you?"

Ian glanced at Hailey in the rearview mirror, and he knew that this guy would never return the book.Unless this book is the key evidence, Ian will not be so pedantic that Haley must return it, because it is likely to cause unnecessary trouble.However, Ian still has a feeling that his principles have been violated by the other party.

"Read it, it won't be signed by Dr. Mende?"

"It's SM! Haha! Dr. Mende's name is Simmons Mende! And there is a picture in this book!"

Ian casually took the photo handed over by Haili.The photo was indeed a photo of Dr. Meghan and Dr. Mende.

"How? Do you feel more and more now that the things under Dr. Meghan's photo frame have been taken by Dr. Mende?"

He only hoped that Dr. Mende was indeed the person they were looking for, otherwise the clue would be broken again.

Just less than an hour later, the car's engine let out a wailing sound and stopped.

Ian got out of the car and opened the front hood, a puff of smoke came out.

Haili also got out of the car, followed to Ian's side, looked inside, "Ian, it looks like you've been driving this car for a long time?"

"I bought a second-hand car in the used car market, do you have any comments?"

"I'm fine. I just want to know how we get back to New York?" Haley asked coolly.

Ian came to the car and stretched out his hand to try to stop the passing vehicles, but most of them drove straight past.

On the other hand, Haili came to the side of the road with his pocket in his pocket, and within half a minute after raising his hand, a beautiful woman driving a sports car stopped beside him.

"Hey, where are you going?" Her eyes were almost glued to Hayley.

Hailey looked sideways at the other party's car and said with a smile, "Can you please help me send that kid back to New York?"

"Huh?" The woman was stunned.

Ian looked at Haili, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

"I'm joking. I'm sorry miss, there are three of us, and there is only one seat left in your sports car."

"That's a pity. Can you leave your mobile phone number? I can ask a friend to pick you up." The woman blinked.

"No, my friend is on the way too."

The woman drove away regretfully.

"Congratulations on proving yourself attractive again. Why don't you give her a lift and leave?"

"Because her nose and breasts are padded. And she also received anti-wrinkle injections, and her facial muscles are very stiff when she smiles. I estimate that she is over 40 years old."

"...I thought you were interested in people older than you."

Haley put his arm on Ian's shoulder and replied with a smile, "You're wrong, Uncle Ian. I'm only interested in you. You have a pure 'natural beauty'."

"Should I say 'thank you'?"

Time passed little by little, and it would be dark if it continued like this.

"We should be able to find someone to pick us up."

"Don't you really dislike me using these rich man's privileges?" Haley asked amusedly.

"Forget it." Ian turned around and came to Evan's car window, "Hey, if you are tired, go to sleep."

Evan grabbed the Rubik's Cube and opened the door, and Ian turned back to check his smoking front compartment.

A truck sped past, only to hear the sound of "click" between the wheels.

When the truck passed by, Evan's hands were still stiff, maintaining the posture of holding the Rubik's Cube, but his eyes were looking at Haili who was aside.

Ian walked over and saw the debris on the road and knew that Evan's Rubik's Cube had been crushed by a truck.Just how did the Rubik's Cube get under the truck wheels?

And Evan's eyes were full of anger and a little fear, while Haili turned his face slightly to stare at him.

"What's wrong?" Just as Ian's voice sounded, Evan turned around and squeezed into his arms.

Ian patted his shoulder, then rubbed his head, "It's just a Rubik's Cube, when we get home, we'll go to the supermarket across the street to buy another one."

Evan rubbed his head against Ian's chest and shook his head.

Ian suddenly understood, "Are you saying that there are no letters? Don't worry, I will help you write the letters on the Rubik's Cube myself."

Haley looked at Evan's head with his pockets in his hands.

"Okay, Uncle Ian, now what are you going to do to me? I threw Evan's Rubik's Cube under the truck."

"You think it's fun to do that?"

"As long as he's unhappy, I'll be happy. What's the reason?" Haili raised his brows with a smile, "Don't forget, the co-pilot position is mine."

Ian glanced over Haley and returned to Evan.

After an unknown amount of time, the sound of a helicopter came from the sky.

Ian sighed and looked at Haili, "Aren't you exaggerating too much?"

"Otherwise you and your baby will have to sleep on the road tonight." Haley came behind Evan, lowered his head slightly, and said in a voice that Evan and Ian could clearly hear, "Say Maybe it's not the Rubik's Cube that gets your hand crushed by a truck wheel, it's someone's bone."

"Haley." Ian lowered his voice as Evan's shoulders trembled even more.

Together they flew back to New York by helicopter.

Ian led Evan back to the apartment. He took a hot bath for Evan, carried him to bed, covered him with a quilt, and touched his forehead.

"Evan, do you like Rubik's Cube?"

Evan looked back at Ian with a pair of deer-like eyes.

"Well, you didn't shake your head, so I'll take it you like it. But you hate Hailey, don't you?"

There was a hint of wariness in Evan's eyes.

"So don't you think it's a silly thing to use something you like to hurt someone you hate?"

Evan pinched the edge of the quilt tightly with his fingers, closed his eyes, and showed a willful but hurt expression.

"If you really hate someone, win him openly. Otherwise, in the shadows, there is no victory."

Evan rolled over, his back to Ian.

Ian sighed slightly, bent down and kissed Evan's forehead.Just for a moment, the little guy turned around again and hugged his neck tightly until he fell asleep.

That night, Haili stood in front of the balcony, blowing in the cold wind, with a wine glass in his hand.It's just that the red wine in the glass has been swirled many times without being touched.

Cliff stood behind Haili and reminded him aloud, "Sir, it's early morning, you should rest."

At this moment, Haili's cell phone on the bedside in the bedroom rang.Cliff took the phone over, "Sir, it's a text message from Agent Connor."

"Oh, what did he say?" Haili stared into the depths of the night.

"He said... 'Don't test me with meaningless lies next time'."

A slight smile played on Haley's lips as Cliff read Ian's text message in the smoothest, most emotionless voice possible.

"Okay, it's time to rest." Haley pressed the wine glass into Cliff's arms casually.

It's just that Ian was woken up by the sound of the phone just before he lay down in the quilt and closed his eyes.

"Agent Connor! I received a video in my mailbox! It's my sister and my father! They... they seem to be locked up somewhere! What the hell is going on!"

"Please calm down! We're going there now!"

Ian can only entrust Evan to Cliff, and rush to Gordon's house with Haley.

At this time, the New York police who cooperated with the investigation had arrived, along with Finn Keating and his team.

Hunter was very nervous. He walked up and down the living room with his arms crossed, his expression very serious.

It wasn't until Ian and Haley walked in that he showed an expectant expression.

"You have been investigating this murderer for a long time! Do you already know who this murderer is?"

"Hunter! Calm down, Hunter! When was the last time you saw your father and sister?"

Hunter sat down helplessly in front of the sofa and hugged his head, "I have answered the police many times..."

"Hunter, we need to hear you with our own ears. Besides, I still have some questions I want to ask you." Ian took Hunter to sit down in front of the sofa.

"The last time I saw my father and my sister was this morning. My sister and classmates are going to see some great waterfall, and they have already booked a ticket, and my father will drive her there... Agent Connor, you tell me, you There's a way to find them! Right? Right?"

Ian was about to say something when Hailey, who had been silent all this time, suddenly said, "Hunter, do you know a Dr. Mende?"

"Dr. Mende? He's my tutor in one of the social studies . . . what? What has he to do with it?"

"Did Dr. Mende ask you about the case from fifteen years ago?"

"There was...he said he wanted to know my opinion about the choices my dad made 15 years ago..."

"You told him you don't trust your father?" Haley asked again.

"...I said so. At that time, I was immersed in my emotions and didn't consider my father at all!" Hunter realized that all the topics revolved around Dr. Mende, and he asked vigilantly, "Is it the door?" What's wrong with Dr. De?"

Hailey glanced at Ian, and Ian got up and came to Fern Keating, "Hey, did you find out the address where the video was sent from?"

"It's the school." Finn clicked on his computer screen.

"Columbia University?"

Ian squeezed his eyes shut.

There are not so many coincidences in this world.

But Ian did not have enough evidence to apply to the judge for a search warrant.Just procrastinating like this, Ian worried that Mr. Gordon would make an impulsive choice to hurt himself.Or when they were investigating, things had already turned out for the worst.

"Let's go and meet this Dr. Mende."

"Even if you visit him, do you think he will tell the truth? And we don't have time to wait for him to tell the truth."

"I thought you would want to fight to the death." Hailey pulled the corners of his lips, "Guess what, if he really did all this, what is he doing now?"

"Watching a video?"

Haili stopped talking, and looked at Ian meaningfully.

Ian and Haley raced to the door of Dr. Mende's apartment.

Ian was about to ring the doorbell when Haley grabbed his wrist and shook his head.

If they ring the doorbell, it will give Dr. Mende time to prepare to respond.But according to the law, Ian and Haley cannot break in without permission, except in certain special circumstances.

Haley took a bottle of ketchup from his pocket and squeezed it against the doorknob.

"What are you doing? Where did you get the ketchup?"

"Gorden's house. Now there is an unknown liquid on Dr. Mende's door, which looks like blood. We doubt Dr. Mende's personal safety, so Agent Connor, you can break in."

Ian snorted and kicked the door of Mende's house hard.

The two men raised their guns and entered quickly.

The room was dark, only the direction of the study was dimly lit.

Ian tried to unscrew the door of the study, but the door was locked.

Haili kicked open the door without saying a word, and Dr. Mende stood up in front of the computer, panicked, "Who are you!"

When he saw the guns in Ian and Haley's hands, he froze completely.

"You two young men, listen! You can take everything from me, but please don't hurt me!"

Dr. Mende was wearing glasses, and he didn't hear Ian kicking open the door of his apartment. It seemed that he was watching something very intently with the headset on just now.

Hailey raised his chin, and Ian walked to the computer.

Dr. Mende suddenly clicked with the mouse, and Haley yelled, "Don't move! Or I'll shoot you in the head!"

The moment Ian turned the computer screen around, he was stunned.

The video shows a dimly lit truck compartment with a young girl crying against the compartment, while an older man raises a pistol to his head.

Ian grabbed Dr. Mende's headset and said loudly, "Mr. Gordon! Don't do anything stupid!"

The man who was about to pull the trigger raised his face and looked around.

Ian exhaled, "Mr. Gordon, I am Agent Connor! Please don't do stupid things! We will try to find you now! If you understand, put the gun down now!"

Mr. Gordon lowered the gun slowly.

"Very good, now you and your daughter try to keep your breathing steady and don't consume too much oxygen! Wait for our rescue!"

After speaking, Ian picked up Dr. Mende's collar and pulled him aside.

Dr. Mende couldn't even stand firmly, and couldn't keep up with Ian's pace at all.When Ian let go, he almost fell to the ground.

"You...are you from the FBI?" Dr. Mende propped up his upper body and looked at Ian in horror.

"I just thought about it now, isn't it a bit late? We don't have time to talk nonsense with you, and the real-time video transmission in your computer is the evidence. Now you'd better tell us, where is Mr. Gordon and his daughter?" Ian Looking at Dr. Mende coldly, his eyes almost crushed him.

"I don't know where they are!"

"You don't know? If they die, you'll be charged with first-degree murder! Now's your best chance to get yourself probation!"

"I really don't know where they are! I just got this video and clicked on it!" Dr. Mende argued loudly.

"I just received it so I opened it? Then why were you so anxious to delete it just now?"

"I... I just think it's a bad thing..."

Haili put the gun pointed at Mende back into the holster around his waist. He came to Dr. Mende and suddenly kicked him hard in the abdomen.

Dr. Mende's back hit the bookshelf, his face flushed from the excruciating pain.

Ian didn't accuse Haley, but squatted down in front of Dr. Mende.The muzzle of his gun was directly on the back of Dr. Mende's hand, and he said coldly: "I have plenty of bullets, and I don't mind making a few more holes in your body. Do you understand?"

"I... I really don't know... I just bought the video or something! I swear! I really swear!"

Haley sent the video link to Keane, who located it based on the source of the video feed.

"Ian! I have the address! I have already sent people to rush there! Let's go too!"

Ian dragged Dr. Mende up and locked him in the room.

"Take a good look at your 'bought for'. If anything happened to Mr. Gordon or his daughter, you'd be in jail forever! There must be a lot of people out there trying to teach you a lesson about your sanctimony The perverted doctor!"

Ian and Haili rushed to the address Keane sent, which was an abandoned construction site about 1000 meters away from the road.The sand was dug up, and Mr. Gordon and his daughter were rescued.The two had already passed out due to lack of oxygen. If they arrived a few minutes later, they might really have died.

The FBI found videos of the case 15 years ago and Dr. Megan's recordings from Dr. Mende's safe.This also proves that the series of cases 15 years ago were indeed planned by Dr. Megan.

Unlike the panic when he was first discovered, Dr. Mende at this moment appeared calm and collected.

"For someone like him, it's more appropriate for you to communicate." Ian said to Haili in the observation room.

"Why am I more suitable?"

"Because you are more cunning."

"Since you said that, I have no choice but to take the word 'cunning' as a compliment." Haili walked into the interrogation room leisurely with his pockets in his hands.

When Dr. Mende saw him, he subconsciously leaned back.Haley kicked him hard after all.

"Hey, Dr. Mende. I'll stop talking nonsense. You should have seen and heard Dr. Megan's recordings from 15 years ago and the video of his 'subject'. You are his accomplice, yes ?"

"I didn't know those things at all! I didn't know what he did until Dr. Megan held my hand in the ward and asked me to go to his study to take these videos away before he died!"

"Then why didn't you tell the police?"

"Because he used to be my mentor! Almost all the research on my front body is connected with him! Reporting on him is tantamount to destroying myself! How will others evaluate my work? Anti-human or perverted? I can only refer to them Locked in my safe!"

"So you've seen and heard about the 'legacy' left to you by Dr. Meghan, right? What a valuable research data you find! You have to study it carefully and immerse yourself in it. But you find that the data Not enough quantification, you need more research experiments, so you have carefully designed several other 'experiments'. And send the videotape of the 'experiments' to the families of the victims, so as to observe their reactions. Right? You 's experiments are more informative than Dr. Megan's."

Haili smiled and looked at Dr. Mende. Time slowed down. Dr. Mende wanted to get out of Haili's sight, but he was like a bug stuck in a spider's web. The more he struggled, the tighter he was bound.

"Let's be honest, Dr. Mende. A jury won't believe you know nothing about what Dr. Meghan has done. And the live video feed on your computer, even if your lawyer insists as much as you do that you just 'Received', and a jury will not accept such a far-fetched explanation. Unless you can tell who 'sent' it to you."

In the observation room, apart from Ian, Jessica and Finn Keating also walked in.

Jessica frowned and complained, "What is Haley doing? Is he guiding Dr. Mende to blame others?"

"No." Ian replied calmly.

"What do you mean?" Jessica asked puzzled.

Finn Keating on the side raised his black-rimmed glasses, "This kind of case is too maneuverable. Dr. Mende can't do it alone."

Jessica suddenly realized, "Then Ian, do you have any doubts?"

"Not yet, so I can only try to get information from Dr. Mende."