"The door is open just slightly," Edmund murmured. "Handle's 1.4 meters from the hinge. At that angle, opening the door even by 5 centimeters requires only 2 Newtons of force."
"So...?"
"If James had been panicking and escaping, the force applied would be closer to 4N, swinging the door wider. But it's only slightly ajar. A gentle nudge, not a frantic escape."
Leonard blinked. "You... measured that?"
"In my mind. Simulated it."
They pushed the door open. Inside, James was crouched behind a desk.
"Those idiots would be gone by now—"
Edmund stepped in with a wry smile on his face.
"Plot twist—you were the idiot all along."
"HOW—?!" James screamed in a confused voice
Edmund tilted his head slightly and said in a calm voice. "Physics, James. And poor acting skills."
"Leonard let's take him to the station"
"On it."