Chapter 4

Emily's POV

Thomas stepped forward, examining the setup without touching anything. "This is a homemade electrical apparatus. See these connections? They're designed to channel current through the water and into the body. This kind of setup could definitely kill someone."

I felt a strange stillness in the room—a quiet desperation that seemed to hang in the air. "He wasn't fighting it," I whispered, more to myself than anyone else.

Michael was studying the bathtub. "This isn't standard. It's been specially modified." He pointed to the metal rim where several electrodes were attached.

Raymond carefully examined the power source. "There's a timer here, and what looks like a current regulator. It's set to gradually increase the voltage over time."

"Look at this," Daisy called out, pointing to something in the victim's hand. "He's holding some kind of button."

I moved closer. "It's an emergency stop button. But it wasn't pressed."

"Why wouldn't he press it?" Daisy asked, her face pale.

My attention was drawn to the bathroom wall, where a chart had been taped up. "Look at this—it's a table showing electrical current strengths and corresponding human physiological responses." I studied it more closely. "Certain values are highlighted."

Thomas took photos of everything while Olivia and her assistant began examining the body. The bathtub contained just enough water to cover the man's torso—enough to conduct electricity efficiently.

As Olivia checked the body, I found myself unable to look away from the victim's face. Despite the circumstances, he looked peaceful. Too peaceful.

Suddenly, I felt a jolt—not physical, but in my mind. A phantom sensation of electricity coursing through my body. My vision blurred slightly, and in that terrifying moment, I saw transparent spider silk extending from my brain, reaching toward the victim's brain.

Fear... In the instant the silk touched the victim's brain, I felt a powerful wave of fear washing over me!

I gasped and stepped back, bumping into the doorframe.

"Are you okay?" Michael asked, his voice betraying concern that his face couldn't show.

"Fine," I lied, trying to steady my breathing. "Just... processing."

Was I losing my mind like Caitlin? The thought terrified me.

Olivia's clinical voice brought me back to reality. "Multiple electrical burns consistent with the apparatus. Death appears to be from cardiac arrest due to electrical shock." She pointed to several marks on the victim's chest. "These patterns match the electrodes in the tub."

I forced myself to focus, opening the bathroom cabinet. Inside were more electronic components, tools, and detailed diagrams.

"He built this himself," I said. "This wasn't something set up by an intruder."

Olivia nodded. "Based on lividity and body temperature, I'd estimate time of death between 9 and 10 PM last night."

"If he was being electrocuted, why are there no signs of struggle?" Michael asked. "No defensive wounds, no indication he tried to escape?"

"The strange thing is," Olivia replied, "initial examination shows no alcohol or drugs in his system. He was fully conscious when he died."

"So he just... sat there while being electrocuted to death?" Raymond asked incredulously.

"It appears so," Olivia confirmed.

We left the bathroom to check the rest of the apartment. In the bedroom, I found walls covered with extreme sports photographs—the victim bungee jumping, skydiving, rock climbing.

"He was an adrenaline junkie," I noted. "Looks for thrills, pushes boundaries."

"Guys, something weird," Daisy called from the living room. "There's almost no normal electronics in here. No TV, no microwave. Even his alarm clock is battery-powered."

"Afraid of appliances but builds a death machine in his bathroom?" Raymond scoffed. "Makes no sense."

Michael checked with the officers canvassing the building. "No security cameras in the hallways, but the entrance and elevator are monitored. Footage is being pulled now."

After gathering all the evidence, we identified the victim as Brian Coleman, 28, a fitness trainer and extreme sports enthusiast who had moved in just three weeks ago.

---

Back at the Riverstone Police Department, we gathered in the conference room. The photos from the crime scene were displayed on the large screen, creating a macabre collage.

Michael stood at the front, organizing our findings. "Brian Coleman, 28, found dead in an electrified bathtub of his own making. No signs of forced entry, no signs of struggle."

"I checked his recent purchases," Thomas added. "In the past month, he bought large quantities of electrical components, wires, and tools from various online retailers. All the parts used in the bathroom setup."

"And only his fingerprints were found on the equipment," Daisy added. "No one else's."

Raymond leaned back in his chair. "So, he electrocuted himself for thrills and it went wrong?"

"Maybe," Michael said, turning to me. "Counselor Gray, thoughts?"

Before I could speak, Raymond cut in dismissively: "Miss Grey, have you analyzed anything with your criminal psychology yet?"

I studied Raymond carefully. Mid-thirties, military haircut, aggressive posture—typical male chauvinist.

"Detective Hall," I said calmly, "if you want my professional opinion, you could try asking politely for someone to speak."

He snorted coldly, crossing his arms. "Fine. Please share your opinion, Miss Grey."

I stood up and walked to the front of the room, facing them. "I believe Brian Coleman committed suicide."

Raymond's face contorted in disbelief. "Suicide? Who the hell would kill themselves that way? Sitting in an electrified bathtub and letting themselves be shocked to death?"

Despite his aggressive tone, I remained calm.

"It does seem unusually painful," Daisy added, her brow furrowed with concern. "Most suicides choose methods that are quick or painless, don't they?"

Olivia nodded in agreement. "The victim would have experienced excruciating pain before cardiac arrest. It's not consistent with typical suicide patterns."

Thomas leaned forward, pushing his glasses up his nose. "Plus, he was holding the emergency stop button but never pressed it. Why build in a failsafe and then not use it?"

This was just the surface of what they were seeing.

"I believe Brian was subjectively not trying to commit suicide, but objectively caused his own death," I explained, watching their confused expressions.

Michael's eyes showed interest even if his face remained impassive. "Why do you think the victim committed suicide?"