Reborn: The Rookie Detective Chapter 259 259: 259-Rossi

"This is the murder weapon we found, a long-handled axe, but the bloodstains have been wiped clean. The eldest daughter, Connie, told that her father bought it a few months ago before Christmas to cut down the Christmas tree."

"Now, every Christmas I think about it, and I've never decorated a Christmas tree myself again."

As Rossi recounted his story, his eyes gradually welled up with tears, and everyone fell silent.

After a while, JJ asked softly, "The higher-ups said this family had three children, and none of them were hard?"

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

"The only fingerprint found at the scene, I had Garcia get Jefferson Labs to help with image enhancent, hoping to find a match."

Jack explained his arrangents, but Rossi's words greatly disappointed everyone.

"Over the years, I've had countless fingerprint experts analyze that precious fingerprint, but none have found a match. There must be other places too—the open back door, the water glass left in the kitchen—but they were all wiped clean."

"This doesn't make sense." Reid held his martini, lost in thought. "Grabbing whatever was at hand as a murder weapon and letting three eyewitnesses go free suggests the killer acted on impulse, but leaving no evidence other than a fingerprint clearly indicates preditation."

Rossi downed most of a glass of whiskey. "I've thought about this countless tis. I keep thinking that if we could find one more clue, or discover sothing else that allows us to investigate further, the answer would surely be right before our eyes."

Emily coughed lightly 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 look at her, tears welling in his eyes.

"When we arrived at the scene, before other units arrived, I heard the children crying, even before I stepped out of the car."

"It was a bright, sunny morning. The second-floor window was open, and the sound was crystal clear. They were crying for their parents, three terrified children, staring at their murdered parents, crying incessantly."

"Even though I've long been accustod to death and suffering, that sound…"

Rossi choked back a sob, using the remaining whiskey in his glass to suppress his increasingly agitated emotions. "Twenty years have passed, but to this day, that sound still echoes in my ears, a heart-wrenching, wailing cry."

"If I can't tell those three children with certainty that the killer will never commit such a heinous act again, the sound in my ears will never stop."

From his expression, everyone could see that this deep-seated obsession had been imprinted in his heart.

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

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

He glanced at the file and found a na. "Detective Giles?"

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

Rossi sighed deeply. "I went straight to the cri scene after I got off the plane this afternoon and t with the Indianapolis Police Departnt, but they told that Captain Giles passed away a year ago."

"The house where the cri occurred? We can go take a look together," Reid asked.

"I'm the owner of that house now," Rossi continued, seeing the surprised looks on everyone's faces.

"Two years after the incident, I bought the house at an auction. I gave the money to the grandmother of the three children, who raised them after the incident."

"But she passed away a few years later. The three children still live with their grandmother. As for the house, I paid for regular maintenance every year."

The group exchanged glances. So there was no need to go to the cri scene; Rossi had definitely examined it countless tis.

They were completely stuck. So many years had passed, and the only evidence was a fingerprint that didn't match; nothing else. How could they investigate?

Jack understood why Rossi didn't want them involved now. Without new clues, this case was destined to remain a ti-consuming and resource-draining cold case.

"Could Garcia cross-reference the unsolved cases in Indiana and surrounding states before and after the incident?"

Jack looked at the other three. He couldn't think of a better way; this was the only option they could try.

"Regardless of the outco, I am very grateful for your arrival."

Rossi finished speaking, swaying as he rose and staggered towards the elevator.

The next day, still clueless, the group suggested visiting the three surviving children. Although no one said it aloud, they all hoped to ease Rossi's emotions.

Everyone could see he had reached his breaking point.

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

From the mont the four of them gathered in the restaurant to enjoy a delicious breakfast at a five-star hotel, Reid had been incessantly stating his objections.

"Obviously, while only our 10-year-old daughter Connie might have PTSD, our 5-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter were more or less affected during their developnt."

"The ntal state of family mbers can influence each other, especially when they have to rely on each other."

"I know what you're worried about." Emily angrily stabbed her fork into a large piece of maple syrup. "Do you think I, Jack, or even JJ don't know this?"

"Hey!" JJ looked hurt. Although she was indeed the worst at profiling among them, she still had a bachelor's degree in psychology. Compared to Jack, who was still nobody, her academic credentials easily surpassed his.

Why was she ranked last?

"Reid, you're overthinking it. Rossi has solved more cris than all of us combined. He's not that psychologically fragile. Right now, he's just caught in so kind of emotional turmoil."

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

"If they could comfort Rossi and ease his guilt, that would be a good thing."

"But if they're three jerks who only think of exploiting Rossi's guilt for money, that's not necessarily a bad thing either."

Reid blinked, seemingly not understanding what he was saying.

"In that case, at least they've looked forward, and the pressure on Rossi will be lessened as well."