Chapter 11: Unexpected Gains

The interview subject got angry, which frightened Lin Dongxue, but Chen Shi calmly pressed down on his shoulder with one hand, staring him straight in the eye. “Do you know what we found on the deceased, Gu Mengxing?”

“What!?” The young man was taken aback.

Chen Shi leaned in and whispered, “A sexually transmitted disease.”

The young man’s face turned red to his ears. He glanced at Lin Dongxue and mumbled, “So… you’re asking if I… did that with her?”

“Sexual intercourse.”

The young man’s face turned even redder, like a ripe tomato. After repeated questioning from Chen Shi, he finally stammered, “We did it once. After a monthly meeting, it was late, and I was driving her home. I jokingly asked if she wanted to go to a hotel, and she actually agreed… It was my first time, so I was pretty nervous… Does this have anything to do with the case?”

“Did you use protection?”

“Uh, I put on a condom midway.”

“Did you contract the STD?”

“No, I’ve always been healthy.”

“When was this?”

“Two months ago!”

After answering, the young man glanced at Lin Dongxue again, looking extremely embarrassed. Chen Shi patted his shoulder, “Thanks, this is helpful for our investigation.”

“Officer, can I go now?”

“One more thing. What was Gu Mengxing’s usual day off?”

“Wednesday.”

“Always Wednesday?”

The young man thought for a moment, then went to fetch a rotation schedule. “Her company scheduled her off on Mondays, but she switched with Xiao Zhang to have Wednesdays off last year.”

Chen Shi scrutinized the schedule thoughtfully and asked, “Last question: Did Gu Mengxing have any close female friends?”

“Uh, I’m not sure.”

“Thanks.”

Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue left the office. Lin Dongxue asked, “Why inquire about the deceased’s friends? Do you suspect the murderer is one of her friends?”

Chen Shi replied, “From a criminal psychology perspective, female murderers usually have direct motives related to personal stakes, especially emotional factors. I’m ninety percent sure the woman who was in my car knew Gu Mengxing.”

“Criminal psychology?” Lin Dongxue looked at Chen Shi incredulously.

“Hey, can’t a cab driver read a book in his spare time? Stop doubting my professionalism, okay?”

“I was wondering why you’re so professional.” Lin Dongxue muttered, “So, should we start investigating the victim’s acquaintances?”

“That’s up to you…” Chen Shi’s phone rang. It was a friend from the taxi industry. “Old Chen, did you do something shady? The police came asking where you were three nights ago.”

After a brief conversation, Chen Shi hung up and shook his head, smiling, “Your brother is something else. He’s got the whole task force still chasing cabs, not letting up one bit.”

Lin Dongxue stomped her foot. “Don’t badmouth my brother behind his back!”

“I’m just stating the facts with a bit of color. If you want to make a mark, investigate the victim’s social circle without relying on the task force.”

“What’s all this about making a mark? Investigating is to clear the victim’s name, not for personal glory!” Lin Dongxue scoffed.

“Fine, fine. Then involve your brother. And tell him we’re investigating together.”

Lin Dongxue was left speechless. Chen Shi lit a cigarette and said, “The next phase of the investigation will yield significant results. Whether you want to make a mark is up to you. If you find someone fitting the description, contact me.”

“What description? Can you recall it?”

Chen Shi rubbed his chin, “A woman around twenty-five, decent-looking, about 175 cm tall, likely works in the medical field, possibly a doctor, introverted and meticulous.”

“How do you know she’s a doctor?”

“What does the deceased do? A pharmaceutical representative. It’s highly likely she knew doctors.”

“If so, they might have had professional dealings?”

“Not necessarily. Reps usually deal with hospital administrators. And to access client records, you’d need a search warrant, which would take time. The two are of similar age, so they were likely classmates. You should look into Gu Mengxing’s classmates, especially college ones.”

Although these were basic investigative techniques, Chen Shi’s explanation made them clear. Lin Dongxue nodded and took notes.

“I’m off. I haven’t worked today, and if I don’t get some fares tonight, I’ll be eating dirt. Call if you need me.” Chen Shi left the company.

Instead of picking up fares, Chen Shi went to the crime scene. The police tape had been removed after three days. With his hands in his pockets, he walked along the dimly lit rocky shore, listening to the mechanical sound of the waves.

He scanned the ground for any clues, but after days of exposure to the elements, there was nothing left to find. After a fruitless search, Chen Shi laughed at himself and muttered, “Why can’t you let go of the past? Is this your fate?”

Looking up, he saw an old woman collecting garbage, carrying a sack full of bottles and cans, but wearing a burgundy women’s trench coat that seemed out of place.

Chen Shi noticed a detail: the double-breasted coat was missing a button. He felt a spark of inspiration. “Could the button on the deceased’s hand be…?”

Chen Shi quickly approached and politely asked, “Ma’am, where did you get that coat?”

The old woman looked at him warily and didn’t answer. After several polite inquiries, she finally spoke, still cautious, “I found it in a trash bin. What do you want at this late hour?”

Chen Shi smiled, “Don’t misunderstand. I just think the style is nice. Could you sell it to me?”

The old woman hastily clutched her chest and looked around nervously, “What? You want to rob me?”

Chen Shi pulled out his wallet and counted out three hundred-yuan bills, “I’d like to buy it from you.”

Still wary, the old woman listened to Chen Shi’s fabricated story about wanting to give it to his girlfriend. She hesitated but eventually agreed to sell it. Chen Shi carefully placed the coat in a plastic bag from his car, making sure not to leave his fingerprints on it.

After the old woman left, Chen Shi looked at the coat in his hands and said happily, “Unexpected gains!”