Chapter 259: Rossi's Inner Demons

"This is the murder weapon we found at the time, a long-handled axe, but the bloodstains were wiped clean. Connie, the eldest daughter, told me that her father bought it before Christmas a few months earlier to chop down a Christmas tree."

"Now, every Christmas, I think of this. I haven't decorated a Christmas tree myself since."

As Rossi recounted, his eyes gradually became moist, and everyone fell into silence.

After a while, Jie Jie quietly asked, "It says here that the family had three children, none of whom were harmed?"

Rossi shook his head, "He only killed the parents and then left."

"The only fingerprint at the scene—I had Garcia contact the Jeffersonian for help with image enhancement, hoping to find a match," Jack explained his arrangement, but Rossi's words disappointed everyone.

"Over the years, I've had countless fingerprint experts analyze that precious print, but none have found a match. There must be others—on the open back door, on the kitchen cup—but they were all wiped clean."

"This doesn't make sense," Reed stared blankly at the martini in his hand.

"Picking up the nearest tool as a weapon and then sparing three witnesses indicates an impulsive act. But except for one fingerprint, no other evidence was left, which clearly shows premeditation."

Rossi downed most of his whiskey in one gulp, "I've pondered this countless times. I keep thinking if I could find one more clue, something else to investigate further, the answer must be right in front of us."

Emily cleared her throat and looked at Rossi seriously, "Have you considered that the killer might already be dead?"

"I need to confirm that he's dead," Rossi turned to her, eyes glistening with tears.

"When we arrived at the scene before other units, I heard the children crying, even though I hadn't stepped out of the car yet."

"It was a sunny morning, the windows on the second floor were open, and their voices were very clear. They were crying out for their parents—three terrified children, looking at their murdered parents, crying incessantly."

"Although I'm used to death and pain, that sound..."

Rossi choked up, using the remaining whiskey in his glass to suppress his increasingly emotional state, "It's been 20 years, but to this day, that sound still echoes in my ears—the heartbreaking, tearful cries."

"If I can't tell those three children for sure that the killer will never harm anyone again, that sound in my ears will never stop."

From his expression, everyone could see that this deep-seated obsession had imprinted itself in his heart, becoming an indelible inner demon.

Was this why Rossi returned to the FBI after so many years?

Jack stroked his chin, lost in thought, "Is that house still there? And what about the detective from that time..."

He glanced at the file and found a name, "Detective Giles?"

"If we're going to reopen the investigation, we need a starting point."

Rossi sighed deeply, "I went straight to the crime scene after getting off the plane this afternoon and met with the Indianapolis police. But they told me Captain Giles passed away a year ago."

"Is it the house where the crime occurred? We can go and take a look," Reed suggested.

"The house is now mine." Seeing the surprised looks from everyone, Rossi continued to explain.

"Two years after the incident, I bought the house at an auction. The money went to the children's grandmother, who raised them after the incident."

"But a few years later, she also passed away. The three children still live in their grandmother's house to this day. As for the house, I paid for its upkeep, and someone maintains it regularly every year."

Everyone exchanged glances. Given that, there was no need to visit the crime scene; Rossi must have examined it countless times already.

They were at a complete dead end now. After so many years, all they had was an unmatched fingerprint and nothing else to go on. How could they investigate this?

Jack began to understand why Rossi didn't want them involved now. Without new leads, this case was destined to be an unsolvable mystery, draining time and resources.

"Ask Garcia to cross-check unsolved cases in Indiana and neighboring states from the years around the incident?"

Jack looked at the other three. He couldn't think of a better way and could only rely on this method for a stroke of luck.

"Whatever the outcome, I am very grateful for your presence."

After saying this, Rossi stood up shakily and walked towards the elevator.

---

The next day, still with no leads, the group suggested visiting the three surviving children. Though no one said it aloud, they all hoped this might ease Rossi's emotions.

It was obvious to everyone that he was reaching his breaking point.

"I don't think this is a good idea. According to the information Garcia found, the eldest daughter, Connie, is a stripper, the second son, George, does odd jobs, and the youngest daughter, Alicia, is unemployed."

Early in the morning, while the four were enjoying a delicious breakfast at the five-star hotel's restaurant, Reed incessantly voiced his objections.

"Clearly, although only the then ten-year-old Connie might have PTSD, the five-year-old son and three-year-old daughter must have been somewhat affected during their growth."

"Psychological conditions within family members can influence each other, especially when they have to rely on each other, which intensifies—"

"I know what you're worried about." Emily angrily stabbed a large piece of maple syrup pancake with her fork.

"Do you think Jack, Jie Jie, and I don't understand this?"

"Hey!" Jie Jie showed a hurt expression. Though she was indeed the weakest in profiling among them, she still had a bachelor's degree in psychology. Compared to the then inexperienced Jack, her credentials easily outmatched his. Why put her last?

"Reed, you're overthinking it. Rossi has seen more crime than all of us combined. His mind isn't that fragile; he's just caught up in his emotions right now."

Jack quickly finished his Iberian ham sandwich and took a sip of milk, then continued.

"If they can comfort Rossi, make him stop pushing himself too hard, and ease his guilt, that would naturally be a good thing."

"But if they are jerks who only see Rossi as a source of money due to his guilt, that might not be so bad either."

Reed blinked in confusion, seemingly not understanding what he meant.

"In that case, at least they are looking ahead, and the pressure in Rossi's mind will also lessen."

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