Chapter 94: New Approaches and New Clues

"That's right, they're actors." Roan nodded, seeing the confusion on their faces, and replayed the video on his computer, explaining seriously:

"You saw it before—cases five and six, both robbers deliberately disguised their walking style.

But walking style isn't so easily faked, unless you've had special training."

Changing one's own gait is possible with prolonged and rigorous practice. But imitating someone else's walk is an entirely different matter, far more difficult than altering your own.

The gap between the fifth and fourth robberies was less than a month. In such a short time, to mimic the walking style so perfectly that even careful review of security footage couldn't distinguish them from the previous robbers…

Apart from certain specialists in some departments, only actors who have undergone systematic training could pull this off.

After Roan's explanation, Lacey bowed her head in thought. Mona took the list, about to speak, when August suddenly walked over.

Mona took the opportunity to repeat Roan's analysis to August.

After listening, August patted his stomach and looked gravely at Roan: "So, next, we need to screen this list for anyone with acting experience?"

"Exactly," Roan nodded, adding, "Not just those on the list—even the witnesses outside the list should be re-examined."

"OK." August nodded, immediately rising to instruct the technical team of Investigation Group Five to re-investigate the witnesses from the first four cases.

Then he patted Roan's shoulder, gesturing for him to follow into his office.

Seated in the office, Roan heard August say, "I just came back from a meeting with new information." August took a sip of coffee, then continued, "After Broson left this building, Investigation Group Fourteen was not dissolved."

Roan froze, then caught on, frowning as he probed, "The team leader for Group Fourteen—is it Matthews?"

August nodded, "Yes, it's him."

"This…" Confirming this, Roan scratched his head.

Ever since Verney told Roan she'd taken on the serial bank robbery case, Roan had believed Group Fourteen was a trap laid for Broson by their superiors.

Broson was gone, so the trap should have been filled in.

But now the group still existed, and Matthews had total control…

Suddenly, Roan was startled. He looked up at August and asked quietly, "Is Matthews under the special agent supervisor, Colbert?"

Special Agent Supervisor Colbert: middle-aged white male, graying beard, a hint of male-pattern baldness.

He was the superior of Verney and the other four group supervisors. At the FBI's New York branch, his position was second only to the chief and deputy chief, equal to another special agent supervisor.

He was also the one who, taking advantage of Roan's previous successful case, personally dug the pit for Broson.

If Matthews really was Colbert's man, then Matthews had hidden his true allegiance very well…

Roan's brow furrowed.

August was pleased by Roan's quick response but shook his head. "I don't know about that—after all, I'm just a team leader."

Roan frowned, about to ask more, but August leaned back, calm and unhurried. "But you don't need to worry about that, Roan."

"Hmm?" Roan looked up, puzzled.

Seeing August's faint smile, Roan paused and then smiled himself.

He really didn't have to worry about Matthews.

Matthews may lead Group Fourteen, but he had no authority over Roan from Group Five.

If he tried, he'd have to get past August first.

Not only that—during the investigation, Matthews would hardly dare to trip Roan up. Broson's fate was a cautionary tale, Verney kept an eye on Roan, and Roan, thanks to the serial dismemberment case, had caught Colbert's attention.

Under these circumstances, Matthews would likely only mock Roan behind his back, never actually move against him.

With this realization, Roan's face brightened into a sunny smile. "I understand. Thank you, sir."

"Good." August nodded, then briefly asked about the progress of the bank robbery case before waving Roan out of the office.

"Having someone cover for you feels incredible," Roan mused, leaving the team leader's office. He glanced toward Group Fourteen's work area and grinned.

"Roan!" Before Roan could recall more about Matthews, Mona waved him over.

"What's up?" Roan walked to Mona, looking at her computer, as Mona said, "I just checked the bank staff and security guards from the first four robberies—not one has acting experience."

Roan frowned.

Lacey, meanwhile, took a report from a technician, scanned it, and said, "The citizens who became hostages during their banking errands—they don't have acting experience either."

Group Five's technicians could check basic info at remarkable speed.

Roan dropped heavily into his chair, brows knitted, reviewing the videos again.

"It's all right, Roan." Lacey smiled gently, patting his head in comfort.

"Mistaken clues are normal. We'll just rethink and analyze with a new perspective. We just solved a bombing case that might happen soon—so it's not a loss…"

"This isn't enough to discourage me, Lacey." Roan twisted away from her hand, answering helplessly, "I'm just wondering if I've overlooked something."

Mona, still typing swiftly, replied, "We've all watched these short, blurry videos so many times. What could we've missed?"

"Exactly." Lacey nodded, and Roan suddenly caught something, his brows shooting up.

"What about the videos themselves?"

"What do you mean?" Lacey tilted her head, puzzled.

"Mona's words reminded me—the videos themselves are the problem!"

Roan tossed his pen onto the desk, eyes blazing. "If the robbers from cases five and six were imitating the earlier criminals, they must've known the appearance and actions of those robbers!"

"You mean," Mona suddenly realized, exclaiming, "these two robbers may have seen these videos!"

"Precisely!" Roan smacked his hands together, nodding vigorously. "Except for the third robbery, the other videos are too short to be worth reviewing, so…"

"So, these two copycats must have studied the full footage from the hidden camera during the third robbery!"

Lacey now caught on, too, exclaiming, "The robbers are among the witnesses from the third robbery!"

"Not necessarily the witnesses themselves!" Roan grabbed the list from his desk, his face grim. "We've always focused on the witnesses at the scene—but we've neglected their family and friends.

Don't forget, these people also have the chance to learn the details of the cases!"

At Roan's words, Group Five's members were struck by realization.

Without hesitation, they now turned their attention to the witnesses' close contacts at the crime scenes, also checking their financial situations.

Soon, Mona cried out in surprise, "Roan! Come here—quick!"

(End of Chapter)