Chapter 272: The Truth About the Delayed Post

Lin Dongxue said, “I don’t think it’s possible. Xu Xiaodong and I were pushing people out. On the left was a shoe rack, which couldn’t hide anyone, and on the right was the door. Someone could hide behind the door, but they would have had to move past us.”

Xu Xiaodong agreed, “Yeah, unless the killer was like a ninja, clinging to the ceiling.”

A skeptic said, “You mentioned the lights were off. Are you sure you saw everything clearly?”

“Yes, I’m sure!”

This disagreement split the police into two camps, arguing back and forth. Chen Shi remained silent, still examining Peng Sijue’s files and photos.

“I have something to say!” Chen Shi’s voice commanded immediate attention. “Judging by the killer’s calmness in sending the Weibo post, the killer must have had a surefire way to leave the scene before inviting people in. So, the most likely scenario is that the killer used a delayed post function. The killer had already left the scene.”

A skeptic retorted, “Chen, I know you’re smart and love thinking up intricate crime methods, but the killer might not be as clever as you. Maybe the killer used a simpler method.”

“No, the killer is definitely smart! Consider the situation: the man’s Weibo post caused an uproar, he was being harassed online, two TV stations came to interview him, and the police were outside. If the killer was motivated by personal vengeance, they wouldn’t choose such a risky time. Yet, the killer created an impossible murder and ‘boasted’ about it on Weibo. This shows the killer is extremely intelligent and calm.”

Chen Shi’s words convinced many officers, who nodded in agreement.

Lin Dongxue felt further discussion would be futile and assigned tasks accordingly. Since some suspected the TV crew, they were sent to investigate that angle, while others continued to investigate within the community.

“Dismissed!” Lin Dongxue announced.

After everyone left, only Lin Dongxue, Peng Sijue, Chen Shi, and Xu Xiaodong remained in the conference room. Xu Xiaodong said, “I have an idea! I think the killer is a zealous netizen. Around 8 PM last night, the man’s address was leaked online. Anyone could have done it… Isn’t the scope a bit too broad?”

Chen Shi clapped his hands. “Xu Xiaodong’s suggestion is very good!”

“Are you mocking me?” Xu Xiaodong asked, feeling unsure.

“No, I agree. The killer likely found out online and acted based on that. Your perspective is accurate.”

Lin Dongxue said, “We have a rough timeframe. The man was alive at 11 PM, so let’s investigate people entering or leaving the community after 11 PM. Also, I need to visit Miss Jiang. She might not know about this yet.”

“Did you get Miss Jiang’s key last night?” Chen Shi suddenly asked.

“Yes, why?”

“Give me the key.”

“I need to return it to her…”

“The lock’s been busted. What’s there to return? It’s evidence now!”

Xu Xiaodong said, “Dongxue, I’ll go with you and return the cat.”

Peng Sijue said, “We need to examine the cat first.”

So, Xu Xiaodong went home to get the cat, Peng Sijue continued with the autopsy, and Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue waited outside the tech unit. Chen Shi was engrossed in his phone, suddenly laughing. “The internet is full of wild theories. Someone even suggested it was done by higher-dimensional beings who can leave locked rooms without being seen. If that’s the case, we might as well stop investigating.”

“What are you looking at?” Lin Dongxue leaned over. “No way, the internet is already buzzing with this?”

“With that Weibo post and the reporters on site, do you think this could be kept quiet?”

“Luckily, it was the killer who posted. Otherwise, Captain Lin would have accused me of leaking information. What are people saying online?”

“Nothing useful. A bunch of keyboard warriors who’ve never seen the crime scene.”

“Captain Lin! Captain Lin!” someone called out.

Lin Dongxue tensed up. “My brother is here?… Oh, they’re calling me!”

The officer said, “Captain Lin, we found something.”

“Just call me by my name. You scared me.”

“Okay, Captain Lin.”

Chen Shi asked, “You’re a team leader now?”

Lin Dongxue blushed, “The smallest one.”

The tech officer explained they found salivary amylase on the phone’s screen protector, but it didn’t match the victim’s. Judging by its activity, it had been there for about ten hours. There was also an unidentified trace component.

“Saliva on the screen? A lot?” Lin Dongxue was surprised.

“A lot. It covered the entire screen,” the tech officer replied.

Lin Dongxue turned to Chen Shi, who said, “That’s bizarre. Someone literally licked the screen. The killer must have some strange habits.”

“What did you find?” Peng Sijue emerged from the forensic lab, smelling of disinfectant.

The tech officer repeated the findings, and Peng Sijue confirmed it was indeed salivary amylase.

“Also, the person has poor health, with a high bacterial content in their mouth,” the tech officer added.

Peng Sijue nodded, then examined the samples under a microscope. “This person isn’t just unhealthy; their saliva lacks amylase.”

“What’s amylase?” Lin Dongxue asked.

Peng explained that it’s an enzyme in saliva that breaks down starch, present in most omnivorous and herbivorous animals.

Lin Dongxue frowned, thinking. “So, this person doesn’t eat starch? Are they on a diet?”

Chen Shi laughed. “Your habitual thinking is killing you. This is clearly the saliva of a carnivorous animal.”

“What carnivorous animal…? Ah!” Lin Dongxue exclaimed. “The cat!?”

Peng picked up his phone. “The cat licked the screen? Xiao Wang, you mentioned there’s an unidentified component?”

“Yes, it’s a non-soluble substance I’ve never seen before, and the lab has no matching samples,” the tech officer replied.

Chen Shi said, “Why would the cat lick the screen? There must have been something tasty on it. We’ll figure it out when Xiaodong gets back.”

While waiting, Chen Shi examined the victim’s belongings one by one. Lin Dongxue noticed him comparing Miss Jiang’s key with the victim’s keychain and asked, “Found something?”

“Yes, a major discovery. Miss Jiang’s key might not open that door!”