After a brief pause, I asked, "Is this a natural and reasonable response from a murderer?"

"What do you mean?" Xiaotao arched an eyebrow.

"A slit across the throat shows determination. It doesn't match his behavior afterwards. Why didn't he clean up the scene immediately, then head out for a walk? Why wait to cover up after his neighbor’s discovery and call?"

"It’s his first time committing a murder,” remarked Xiaotao. “He was probably scared at the time and left the scene to calm down before remembering to destroy the evidence!"

"From the photo, the incision looks professional,” I added. “Could this be done by a novice?"

"People are capable of anything when angered,” argued Xiaotao. “He’s a healthy middle-aged man who has enough strength to inflict such a wound..."

"All...