At the small police outpost, Roderick, a friendly constable, blinked at the three men.
"James Cooper? What's he doing here?"
Leonard answered. "Stealing from me."
"And you found out...?"
"Not me. Him. Edmund."
James sighed. "I still don't understand how you knew."
Edmund clasped his hands calmly.
"First, I triggered panic by loudly accusing you. Panic breeds irrationality. When we approached, I noticed the door was open 5cm—too little for someone truly fleeing. I mentally ran simulations using emotional states, force applications, and average torque."
He gestured in the air as if drawing equations.
"F1 = 2N
D1 = 1.4m
D2 = 0.7m
Torque1 = Torque2
2 x 1.4 = F2 x 0.7
F2 = 4N"
"If you'd tried to flee, the door would've swung wider. The controlled opening told me you were faking it."
Roderick whistled. "Genius."
"Coincidence and pattern recognition," Edmund replied.
"Well these are nothing but petty tricks but enough for a petty thief like you" Edmund said to James
Before anyone could speak further, a tall man in a dark trench coat stepped into the room.
"Mr. Edmund Hale?"
He held up an ID. "Security Department, United Kingdom. We need to talk."