Jimmy took the case file given by Mark and his team, feeling a bit queasy just looking at the first photo inside. The photo showed the deceased in the kitchen, and similar to a previous case, the head had been chopped off. However, unlike the previous case where agents determined the victim was standing when decapitated, this time the victim had been lying on the ground.

This murder occurred much later than the one handled by the Hudson River Valley office, taking place before Christmas. The NYPD has already investigated the victim, but they have no clue who the killer might be.

This case isn't a cross-state or serial murder, so it hasn't been reported to the FBI, and it is being investigated by a detective. If there are no updates after some time, the case will be shelved, perhaps to be revisited at some point in the future.

Jimmy examined the information and handed the file to Mark, "Mark, Julia, go to the crime scene and take a look. Also, re-investigate the deceased's identity and family background, check his job and related people.

Additionally, examine the scene to see if there are any sharp tools or axes around the house and surrounding areas since the victim was decapitated after falling to the ground."

Mark: "Is this case related to the field office?"

Jimmy: "Currently, there's no evident connection; the state of the deceased when he died is different, and he lacks the stab wounds found on the previous case's victim. You need to visit the forensic office and check their original records, confirm with the forensic doctor if the deceased had any additional wounds or was influenced by drugs."

Mark: "Understood. Julia."

Mark and Julia returned to their places, checked their gear, and left the office carrying their toolbox.

With Julia being a computer expert, Jimmy got her an FBI internal laptop, making on-site data inquiries much quicker. Previously, Jimmy worked alone with basic computer knowledge, resorting to calling for information or waiting until he returned to the office to look up facts. Now, things are much more convenient.

The only issue is Julia's clearance level isn't high enough, so some information requires Jimmy to input an authorization code, but that's not a big problem.

Having someone to handle things is really nice; Jimmy can leisurely wait for updates in the office.

However, his leisure time didn't last long. After Mark and Julia reached the crime scene and began inspecting the room, they noticed something somewhat uncertain, so they called Jimmy to have him come to the scene to confirm.

Receiving the call kind of frustrated Jimmy; previously, when he wasn't around, Mark and his team did well, directly coordinating with the Newark office to handle things, which was quite handy. Why did things become less proactive once he returned?

Reluctantly getting up and leaving the office, Jimmy drove to the Bronx. This case took place on the outskirts of the Bronx, very close to Yonkers City; frankly, if you didn't know for sure it was within New York's borders, you'd think it was in the outskirts of Yonkers City.

New York City and nearby cities have merged into the New York metropolitan area. Without administrative boundaries, the dividing parts are practically indistinguishable.

Jimmy parked the car and came up to the single structure. He first used Heart Eye Observation. It's just a normal two-story house, with a garage and a basement, and didn't find anything particularly special.

Jimmy walked into the room, "Mark, Julia, share what you've discovered."

Julia: "OK, let me explain. The victim died in the kitchen, marked on the ground. Based on the blood placement, your suspicion is correct; he was beheaded after falling. The floor tiles are damaged, with two shallow pits that need to be sent to the lab for restoration to determine the weapon, likely an axe.

These were previously collected; our new findings are not here, but in the bedroom and basement. Come and see."

Julia led Jimmy to the bedroom, "This painting on the wall, discovered by Mark."

On the bedroom wall there was a painting; the background was white, with a tilted, shattered wine glass above, the glass fragments falling, and some wine spilled.

Jimmy: "Mark, what's up with this painting?"

Mark: "Look here, at the bottom left corner of the motif, I've seen it abroad before; here there is an inverted triangle with a somewhat subtle 'S'. What I saw previously was 'K'. I suspect there's a connection."

Jimmy examined it closely; the motif was an inverted triangle with some lines inside, but the hollow part in the middle indeed seemed S-shaped, still a piece of artistic design, not too plain.

Jimmy: "The 'K' you saw was similar?"

Mark: "Very much so, though that 'K' didn't have such intricate patterns. We once performed a beheading mission involving a person with this 'K' symbol, leaving a deep impression as he was strong; three of my brothers had to retire early. We were quite lucky—nobody died."

Jimmy: "Do you think the deceased had a connection with him?"

Mark: "Yes, these two motifs are too alike."

Jimmy: "Take a photo and upon returning, find someone to confirm. Also determine where you saw the 'K' symbol—if it's a tattoo, then head to the forensic office and see if this person has a similar tattoo. Just now you mentioned something was off about the basement?"

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