Dean was not a god.
His deductions were all based on a reasonable analysis of the available clues.
Previously, he had been almost certain that the principal was the one who killed the teacher, Toddy. The motive, he figured, was straightforward: the principal was involved with a female student. The righteous Toddy discovered this and was about to expose him, so he silenced her.
However, the unresponsive panel indicated to Dean that his reasoning was flawed.
The murderer was not the principal!
Police cars soon arrived at the scene. Given that the death occurred at a school and the victim was the principal of the town's only high school, two vehicles and four officers had been dispatched.
The town didn't have many police officers. Nellie, the young policewoman, and the police chief Dean had met before were among those who responded.
"FK! What the hell happened here!"
Upon seeing the principal with his neck twisted, the chief couldn't help but swear.
