Just as he ran onto the street outside the apartment, Luo An detected a faint smell of blood.
His expression darkened, and considering the shocking scenes of the first two victims' deaths, he instructed Michelle:
"Guard the back door of the apartment, and open fire if you spot the enemy."
Without overthinking, Michelle immediately grabbed her pistol and headed for the back door of the apartment.
Seeing that Michelle had reached her designated position, Luo An immediately activated his "emotional perception" and noticed no reaction or sense of danger from the apartment ahead.
He breathed a slight sigh of relief and slowly walked into the interior of the apartment. The living room and kitchen on the first floor showed no signs of abnormalities.
Climbing slowly upstairs, following the scent of blood, the bedroom also showed no abnormalities. Slowly pushing open the study door, Luo An finally saw the victim.
The study was in complete disarray; books, computer fragments, and other items were scattered everywhere.
Like Chairman Hisman, the victim was completely naked, with a white towel wrapped around from the mouth to the back of the head, a fierce expression on his face, and eyes wide open in death.
However, unlike before, this victim wasn't physically severed into two parts; the body was still intact but covered in bruises and swellings, with numerous signs of having been struck on the head.
The experienced Luo An could tell at a glance that this priest was beaten to death with a stick-like object.
It wasn't yet known exactly what type of stick-like object was used, as no murder weapon was found at the scene.
Luo An put on the gloves he took out of his pocket and forcefully opened the victim's mouth.
As expected, the tongue inside was once again missing.
Soon, Michelle also came upstairs and upon seeing the grim scene in the study, her face looked grim.
It wasn't that the sight of the body scared her; as an FBI agent, she had seen plenty of bodies before.
The reason her expression turned grim was because it confirmed that this case was a very difficult serial murder case.
After a careful inspection in the study that yielded no useful clues, Luo An gestured to Michelle:
"Call the Trace Evidence Department."
Michelle pulled out her phone from her pocket, and seeing Luo An starting to walk out, Jiang asked:
"What do we do next?"
"Just like Reesi, work with the LAPD to guard the scene and wait for the agents from the Trace Evidence Department to arrive."
Luo An, without turning back, walked out of the priest's apartment, saying as he went:
"I'm going to have a chat with the team supervisor to see what he thinks about this case."
Inside the supervisor's office, upon hearing Luo An's words, Potante Byrne immediately widened his eyes:
Luo An didn't explain further, just placed the photos taken by the Trace Evidence Department at the three crime scenes, especially those where the bodies' tongues were missing, on Potante Byrne's desk.
Upon seeing the gruesome photos on the table, Potante Byrne raised his hand to rub his temples, feeling a headache coming on.
"I need help, chief."
Seeing the expression on Potante Byrne's face, Luo An didn't mince his words:
"The perpetrator of this case is likely not acting alone, possibly even a group. Our Special Investigation Team is short-staffed and urgently needs assistance."
"What do you want to do?"
Regarding Luo An's complaint about being short-staffed, Potante Byrne was quite speechless.
After Luo An resolved that bank robbery case, people eager to join the Special Investigation Team came pouring in, many of whom approached him about it.
Potante Byrne also tried to discreetly inquire about Luo An's thoughts, but Luo An always acted as if he didn't notice, which left Potante Byrne quite helpless.
Luo An didn't keep him guessing, and directly pulled out a folder from behind and handed it to Potante Byrne, smiling and saying:
"Here's a list I've compiled, there are five people total, please help me by temporarily transferring them to the Special Investigation Team to work on this case with us."
"Cooper, age 26, an agent from a division of the Homeland Security Department.
Channie, age 30, an agent from the International Business Department.
Winslow, age 32, an agent from the Hostage Rescue Team.
Patricia, age 29, an agent from the Victim Services Department.
Anwar, age 30, an agent from the Counter-Terrorism Division."
Opening the folder, group supervisor Potante Byrne briefly looked at the list and information of the five people. Finding no issues, he nodded in agreement, then something occurred to him and he asked:
"I remember you have a good relationship with a member from the SWAT team named Hunter Anderson; why isn't he on this list?"
Luo An's purpose behind this roster was clear, and Potante Byrne immediately realized that Luo An intended to use this case to select a few members from these five to join the Special Investigation Team.
Although unsure how many people from the list Luo An intended to keep ultimately, the absence of Hunter Anderson's name still piqued Potante Byrne's curiosity.
Luo An shook his head, mentioning that he had recently shared drinks with Hunter Anderson, who, due to his exceptional performance, is now a team captain in the SWAT team.
Due to his cousin's death and aunt dying from grief, leaving him without family, no girlfriend, and no attachments, Hunter Anderson's style of operations has become increasingly aggressive.
When Luo An discussed the Special Investigation Team during their drinks, Hunter Anderson rejected Luo An's offer.
"Hunter said he enjoys life in the SWAT team now; the combat, rescuing people, and gunfire give him a sense of purpose."
Discussing Hunter Anderson, Luo An furrowed his brows:
"His psychological state obviously has issues. I found him a psychiatrist, but the Special Investigation Team is no longer suitable for him."
Luo An now needs a team member who can see the big picture, who is courageous and tactful, not someone more reckless than himself.
Perhaps Hunter Anderson could later adjust his mindset and emotions, but Luo An, as the head of the Special Investigation Team, can't afford to wait exclusively for him.
After hearing Luo An's description, Potante Byrne's brow furrowed slightly, planning to bring up the matter of the frontline team's psychological state with the SWAT team's director.
Setting that issue aside, Potante Byrne crossed his hands on the desk, asking seriously:
"Luo An, you just mentioned that the serial killer might be a group of people; what makes you think that?"
"If the killer is one person, then he's too omnipotent."
Luo An picked up the forensic photos again, explaining:
"The killer has to do a lot of things: monitor surveillance footage, the life habits and personal information of three victims, the flow of people in three communities, prepare the murder weapons…"
Listing a bunch of things the killer needed to do, with such a short time interval, the killer's methods were not only brutal and violent but also left no useful clues… Luo An shook his head, killing and torturing are not the same thing; the former is straightforward and simple, the latter complicated and troublesome.
"OK, this case is yours then."
Potante Byrne didn't waste further words, after reconfirming the support Luo An needed, he took out another folder and handed it to Luo An with a smile:
"This is a notification from the Washington Headquarters."
Seeing the smile on Potante Byrne's face, Luo An raised an eyebrow, guessing a bit.
Just about to open the folder, suddenly a hasty knock came from the office door; before Potante Byrne could speak, the door was pushed open forcefully.
Luo An and Potante Byrne looked up to see Reesi, who, without giving them a chance to ask, said in shock:
"I'm sorry, Director, but another body has been discovered outside."