The year before...
The news program on the principal television station in France broadcast images of the murder constantly.
"The author of the crime is still unknown and the police are tirelessly searching the murder site for some clue. The 26-year-old victim, a mechanic by trade, was hung from the balcony of his house with his intestines hanging out and his tongue cut off. This atrocity has had a great impact on the small community living in this village located 15 kilometers south of Lyon. Everyone is wondering why. According to friends and neighbors of the victim, Marc Fisher was a friendly, hard-working man who never looked for trouble and was always ready to lend a helping hand to whoever needed it."
I have to call right now and confirm what happened, the professor thought.
"As you can see, the community is distraught and full of questions they want answered. The police have declared...".
"One moment, please!"
The professor hung up the telephone receiver and stared intently at his television screen.
"Is that you?"
"Unfortunately, the inspector in charge of the investigation has refused to make any statement at this time. From all appearances, this is not a crime of passion, but some kind of revenge killing or execution...".
"Why have you sold your soul to the devil? You're too old now for these things."
"You are the owner of the cafe located across from the victim's home. Can you tell us anything about him?"
"I don't understand. I don't understand it. Every morning he came down and drank his coffee and had a sweet for..."
"What are you up to?"
The professor continued to focus intently on the man in the background captured by the camera, the man who pretended to blend into the crowd as just another spectator. In truth, he was watching the camera with a shocking, malicious devotion, as if he was expecting and hoping to be recognized as the murderer by someone who knew him. Like he was taunting someone.
"I cannot believe you've fallen so low."
The face of his adversary resembled nothing so much as a block of ice devoid of expression and human emotion. Suddenly, his lips moved, but it wasn't easy to make out the word he was pronouncing.
"Let's see what you're trying to tell me."
"Traitors."