Chapter 142: Investigating the Hospital

Lin Dongxue was slightly startled and asked, “What about the time of death?”

The forensic technician replied, “We checked the liver temperature. She died around 4 AM last night.”

Lin Dongxue said, “4 AM? She was with Dr. Gao at that time. That doctor must be involved. Should we go find him again?”

“Don’t rush. Let the dust settle first. In the meantime, let’s check her workstation.”

They went to the victim’s workstation. Lin Dongxue opened the drawer and found a box of foundation and a pink lipstick. She asked, “Did the victim wear makeup?”

“Yes, and it looked fresh.”

“Women wear makeup for someone they want to impress. She must have been meeting that doctor… He is definitely involved!”

Chen Shi chuckled, “You suspect they had an improper relationship. Do you get angry whenever you encounter a scumbag?”

Lin Dongxue replied, “I’m just trying to solve the case. Who cares about scumbags? What’s your take on this case?”

“Hospitals have a high flow of people—patients, families, medical staff. At the initial stage, don’t focus too narrowly on one person. We need to gather more information.”

“Alright, I’ll keep investigating the doctor while you look for eyewitnesses among the patients. Any advice for the case?”

“Sure. Murder involves significant risk for the perpetrator. Unless the motive justifies that risk, murder doesn’t happen. Always remember to check if the person you suspect had a strong enough motive. If not, they can likely be ruled out.”

They arrived at the nurse station. Chen Shi said, “Head nurse, I’d like to know about the patients on these floors.”

The head nurse said, “The records are in the office. I’ll get them.”

Chen Shi and the head nurse walked away. Lin Dongxue approached the victim’s friend, asking, “I’d like to know more about Dr. Gao…”

In the office, Chen Shi went through the patient records one by one. He paused at one file and asked, “Did this person die last night?”

The head nurse said, “Yes, on the operating table. It was just a routine medical accident.”

Chen Shi nodded and continued flipping through the records, noticing that four patients had died last night, all elderly. The head nurse provided explanations for each. Chen Shi wondered if there might be more to it and decided to visit the wards.

In one ward, the family members were crying outside. Although it was awkward, Chen Shi showed his badge, saying, “Police, I’d like to see the body.”

The family cooperated. Chen Shi put on rubber gloves, checked the deceased’s eyes, and examined the livor mortis. The time of death seemed to be around 2 AM. The records indicated it was a heart attack caused by postoperative complications, which couldn’t be confirmed visually. The body showed no obvious signs of foul play.

After thanking the family, Chen Shi moved to the next ward. The head nurse, following him, asked, “Why are you investigating this, Officer?”

Chen Shi had his reasons. Patients who died around the time of the incident would soon be sent to the mortuary, making it hard to investigate later. Living witnesses could be found anytime, so he prioritized this.

Chen Shi didn’t explain, simply saying, “We’re suspicious by nature. It’s our job.”

The second body also showed no unusual signs. In the third ward, Chen Shi recognized a familiar face. A middle-aged man with a black armband, seemingly a family member, saw Chen Shi and exclaimed, “Officer Chen, what brings you here?”

“Mr. Xue?” Chen Shi replied.

“Haha, you remember me!”

This was Xue Chengyi, the kind man who had helped Tao Yueyue get to the police station.

Xue Chengyi introduced his wife, “This is my wife. Officer Chen helped my daughter once.”

As it turned out, the young woman with him last time was not his wife. Chen Shi said, “Mr. Xue was very helpful to my daughter. I haven’t properly thanked him yet.”

His wife smiled, “It was nothing. He’s just a kind-hearted person.”

Xue Chengyi offered Chen Shi a cigarette. “My father passed away last night. The relatives are all here. What brings you here, Officer Chen?”

“I’m investigating a case,” Chen Shi said, declining the cigarette. “I’d like to see your father’s body.”

“Is it related to the case?”

His wife interjected, “My father-in-law choked on phlegm and died. It might be contagious, so it’s better not to look.”

Chen Shi said, “My condolences. I just need to take a quick look. I’m not a coroner, just a regular cop.”

The couple exchanged glances, and Xue Chengyi said, “Alright then.”

When Chen Shi examined the body, he immediately noticed petechiae in the eyes, a sign of suffocation. He turned to Xue Chengyi, who was now smiling nervously.

Chen Shi asked, “When did he pass away?”

“The hospital said around 4 or 5 AM. We were informed early in the morning,” Xue Chengyi replied.

“No one was with him?”

“We took turns watching him. My wife was here last night, but she fell asleep in the hallway.”

“Condolences.”

Outside, Chen Shi said, “Thanks again for your help. Can I treat you to lunch?”

“Sorry, I’m quite busy today.”

“I see. Let’s exchange contact information.”

“Sure, sure.”

After exchanging phone numbers and WeChat IDs, Chen Shi asked, “Does your child attend Zhixin Middle School?”

“No, my son is in college out of town… My mistress’s child goes there. Don’t tell my wife. Middle age, you know…”

“I understand. I won’t disturb you further.”

“Alright, let’s have a meal together some other time.”

Chen Shi turned away, his smile fading. He asked the head nurse for a favor.

Downstairs, Chen Shi smoked a cigarette while waiting. Lin Dongxue found him and said, “I overheard some hospital gossip. It’s like a soap opera here.”

“Do you have a suspect?”

“Yes, Dr. Gao! According to colleagues, he was the last person to see the victim, but his statements are vague and suspicious.”

“Motive?”

“Dr. Gao is up for a promotion to associate professor. If he had a scandal, it could ruin his chances. What do you think about the possibility of him killing to silence someone?”

“What kind of scandal?”

“Nurses say he flirts with several women at once. Probably a scandal in that regard.”

Chen Shi pondered, then changed the topic, “Patients who die here won’t be autopsied unless their families sue. There could be many undetected murders.”

“Do you think families avoid suing to escape huge medical bills? Does this relate to our case?”

“Relevant or not, we’ll find out by investigating… Thanks.” Chen Shi stood up and took a plastic bag from the approaching head nurse. It was stuffed with something.

“What’s this?” Lin Dongxue asked.

“A pillow.”