Luke didn't respond; he was reflecting on the suspect's modus operandi. Each victim had been mutilated, severed of a body part, but each in a different way. What could be the significance behind this?

Eddie Ross was likely a john who'd had his dick cut off by the perpetrator, leaving him ruined.

Petrov was a gang enforcer who had his thumbs on both hands and feet chopped off by the suspect, leaving him useless.

The first female victim, Novina Jones, was a prostitute. She depended on her looks to make a living, and her entire head had been severed.

Considering all the above, the suspect's way of injuring people seemed more akin to targeted revenge.

Would there be a next one?

If so, who would it be?

Dr. Kanate approached, "Captain Lee, Eddie Ross has agreed to see you."

"Thank you."

Guided by Kanate, Luke and Little Black arrived at Eddie Ross's hospital room door.

"Knock, knock…" Little Black knocked on the door.

No response came.

The two of them pushed the door open and walked in.

This was a luxurious private ward, equipped with an en suite bathroom, television, caregiver's bed, locker, and even a water dispenser and a mini-fridge.

Little Black glanced around, "This place almost compares to a hotel."

On the hospital bed lay a Caucasian man, his head wrapped in bandages, his eyes looking lifelessly toward the ceiling.

Little Black flashed his badge, "I'm Detective Marcus from the Robbery and Murder Department, and this is Captain Lee.

Eddie Ross, we'd like to talk to you about the assault incident."

Eddie Ross looked at Luke and then back to Little Black, "The Hispanic cop and the female officer who were here yesterday—are they with you?"

"Yes, is there a problem?"

Eddie Ross demanded, "Why didn't they take me away? Why didn't they arrest me?"

Little Black was taken aback, "Why should they arrest you, what illegal thing did you do?"

"I lied.

The SIM card was mine; it's what I use to contact the hookers. I often seek out prostitutes. I'm a habitual john.

You should've arrested me. That way I wouldn't have been attacked by that freak. I wouldn't have been…"

Little Black rolled his eyes, finding this guy somewhat pathetic. Clearly, it was his own fault, and now he was blaming the police for not arresting him.

Truly shameless.

"Do you admit that you called Novina Jones on the night of September 15th?"

"Yes, I did call her that night.

She's a prostitute, young, pretty, and full of life. I've been with her a few times.

That night, I wanted to call her over to my place, but she refused.

I yelled at her, and she hung up the phone.

Afterwards, when I called back, she didn't answer."

"Did you see her that night?"

"No."

"When was the last time you saw her?"

"I can't remember clearly; it must have been about a month ago. I rarely seek out the same girl within the same month. Her death has nothing to do with me, not in the slightest."

"Where were you between 10 pm and midnight on September 15th?"

"I was truly at home. I was angry after being rejected by Novina Jones and lost all interest.

After having a drink, I just went to sleep."

"Do you know Petrov?"

"Yes, Novina Jones was under his control."

"Are you well acquainted with him?"

"Not particularly, I've only met him once."

"Have you ever been to the vicinity of Suter River?"

"No. Like I said, I have nothing to do with Novina Jones's death.

I'm a victim too. Can you show some concern for me?

I'm in more pain than if I were dead. The injuries I've sustained are in no way less than Novina Jones's."

Luke changed tack, "Tell us about your ordeal last night."

"Huh…" Eddie Ross let out a long sigh, his expression one of pain. "Last night, after those two damn cops left, I went back to the living room. The more I thought about it, the angrier I got, and I ended up trashing my phone.

Later, the doorbell rang. I went to check, but there was no one outside.

I vaguely heard a noise behind me. When I turned to look, someone knocked me out cold."

Eddie Ross clenched his fist in anger, "When I woke up, I was tied to the couch, and there was a person wearing a mask sitting on a small couch. He had a knife in his hand, a very sharp knife.

The bastard was an animal."

Little Black took a deep breath, feeling a chill as well, "Had he already cut you down there?"

"Not at that point." Eddie Ross glared at Little Black. "You need to protect me, send more people. I don't ever want to see that bastard again, never."

Luke queried back, "Do you think he'll come for you again?"

"I don't know, but I'd rather die than fall into his hands again." Eddie Ross's body trembled slightly.

"What did the perpetrator say to you?"

"He asked for my name and whether I knew Novina Jones.

Just like those two cops, I brushed him off with the same response.

After listening, he didn't say anything and just sliced open my trousers with the knife.

I was scared to death. He even cut my thigh and then told me if I dared to lie again, he would cut off my dick." Eddie Ross's voice shook with emotion,

"I could tell he wasn't joking. I didn't dare lie anymore. I confessed that I knew Novina Jones and that I was a client of hers, and I'd been with her a few times.

I thought it was over then, but it was only just starting."

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