82 Implementing the Wrong Method (1/2)

Apparently, he had seen her three weeks ago.

The detective paused for a second for effect and then mumbled his acknowledgment.

”How close were you to Irene?” he asked. This question was one that needed a little more explanation on the suspect's part, which was why the detective asked it probably.

”Yes.” I scrunched my brow.

”Look at me when you are talking,” the detective said. It was hard to believe that the guy was polite despite how irritated he sounded, his accent making it quite humorous. But the situation wasn't funny. It had been two minutes into the interrogation and the suspect had already agitated the detective. It was not a good sign, especially considering that interrogations were psychological warfare and the suspect somehow had gained an upper hand by frustrating his opponent.

Emotional upheaval leads to making poor choices, hence it is not ideal for the interrogator to feel this way.

The moment the detective asked the suspect to look him in the eye, William turned slowly, his head moving exorcist style and staring blankly at the detective.

Sebastian paused the video. ”The suspect has morphed himself into this abnormal and creepy character. It can be a strategy or a mental breakdown, we are unclear about that. What is incredible is that the behavior dictates the pace of the interrogation. It is a win for his side. The detective has just closed the distance and commanded eye contact, recognized techniques to increase the psychological pressure on the suspect. Yet the haunting manner in which the suspect turns his head and fixed his gaze unsettles the detective, making him look away and reposition himself.” At that very moment, I could see the detective shifting back in the chair, leaning against the back and physically keeping a distance from the suspect.

”Does this happen in interrogations?” I asked, stupefied.

”Almost never. It takes quite a lot to unsettle a seasoned detective, especially since they have seen loads of people try different techniques to evade the truth. Rarely do they come face to face with someone with the mental capacity to hold on to their methods.”

The detective asked such questions for a couple of minutes before ramping up the pressure yet again.

As he questioned their friendship and when he last saw her, he placed Irene's picture between his fingers. For a second, William turned his head a tad bit faster than his demeanor allowed him and looked at it intently. He then turned back to look at the detective again.