Chapter 20: The Bet

At the crime scene, officers expressed their shock. “This is brutal, an entire family wiped out,” one said. “It’s been nearly ten years since the last massacre in Long’an City,” another added. “What kind of monster could do something like this?”

This was undoubtedly a major case, likely the biggest of the year, and the largest Lin Qiupu had ever handled since joining the force. He instructed the team to meticulously gather evidence, ensuring no clue was overlooked, while he inspected the scene.

Lin Qiupu picked up the TV remote and turned it on. The setup box showed the last viewing time was around 11 p.m. the previous night. He called an officer over and said, “Check with the property management to see if any suspicious individuals were caught on camera after 11 p.m.”

Examining the body near the bathroom, he concluded, as Lin Dongxue had, that the male homeowner was ambushed and killed by the assailant hiding in the bathroom.

Lin Qiupu pondered. If someone was watching TV at 11 p.m., the intruder must have entered after that when the family was asleep. The killer hid in the bathroom, attacked the man when he returned from work, then proceeded to kill the elderly woman in the adjacent room. The wife, hearing the commotion, came out and was also murdered.

But why spare the child? Did the killer have a change of heart?

What was the motive? Revenge? Spur-of-the-moment?

A police officer interrupted his thoughts, “Captain Lin, we confirmed some information with the neighbors. The male homeowner is Kong Wende, an insurance company employee; his wife is Li Yu, a full-time housewife. They have a son. Kong Wende is from out of town, and Li Yu is local. When they married, her family sold their house to pay for the down payment. Her parents moved in with them. Her father died of stomach cancer in March, and the deceased elderly woman is her mother.”

“A typical family. Could they have any enemies? Keep digging,” Lin Qiupu instructed.

As the officer left, another came in, saying, “Captain Lin, surveillance footage from around 11:30 p.m. last night shows the male homeowner entering with a stranger. Around midnight, the same figure leaves, matching the height and build of the man who entered, but now wearing a black hoodie.”

“Did you get a clear shot of his face?” Lin Qiupu asked excitedly.

The officer shook his head. “He seemed aware of the cameras and avoided showing his face. He wore a scarf when leaving.”

“Familiar with the surveillance layout?” Lin Qiupu quickly checked the closets. The family’s clothes were neatly organized, except for one missing hanger among the men’s clothes.

“What color was the scarf?” he asked.

“White knit.”

Lin Qiupu examined the hanger closely, finding some white fibers on it. Handing it to the forensic team, he said, “The suspect and the victim entered together. The clothes he wore were taken from the house. He’s familiar with both the complex and the house, indicating it’s someone they knew!”

Another officer added, “The property management confirmed it. Outsiders can’t enter without an access card.”

Lin Qiupu nodded. If the killer was someone the family knew, they had a solid lead. Random killings were a detective’s worst nightmare, but this case seemed solvable through the victim’s social connections.

Feeling somewhat relieved, he asked, “Is that driver still waiting outside?”

“I saw him chatting with a neighbor when I came up,” the officer replied.

“Bring him in!”

Shortly, Lin Dongxue and Chen Shi entered. Seeing his well-dressed sister with this unkempt middle-aged man irked Lin Qiupu. He wanted to show this guy the difference between amateurs and professionals.

“Having trouble?” Chen Shi asked nonchalantly.

“Hmph!” Lin Qiupu smirked. Who did this guy think he was, Sherlock Holmes? “Seems like you’re quite confident in your crime-solving abilities, Chen.”

“I just enjoy watching crime shows and reading detective novels. By the way, do you like Agatha Christie?”

“Don’t waste my time with that nonsense. Listen, Chen Shi, stop trying to show off here!”

“Show off?” Chen Shi shrugged. “Captain Lin, I haven’t even said anything yet. Are you reading my mind?”

“Amateurs like you, with your little tricks and luck, thinking you’re better than the police? I’ve seen plenty of ‘civilian experts’ since I became captain. They all make fools of themselves in the end!”

“There are good and bad civilians, just like there are smart and dumb police officers,” Chen Shi replied with a smile. Lin Dongxue tugged his sleeve, trying to warn him.

Lin Qiupu noticed this interaction and thought, Are they really that close now? He fumed. Today, he would put this driver in his place.

“Hmph, you won’t learn until you see the consequences. If you think you can solve the case, here’s your chance. You’ve seen the scene, right? Tell me about the case. But let’s make a bet. If your reasoning is flawed, I want you to disappear from my sight and stop contacting Lin Dongxue.”

Lin Dongxue protested, “Captain Lin, my relationships are my private matter. Why do you interfere? I’m an adult, not a child who can’t make decisions!”

Lin Qiupu, keeping a serious face, said, “Officially, I’m your superior. You bringing an amateur to a crime scene violates protocol. Personally…” He hesitated to mention their sibling relationship in front of colleagues, so he left it at, “Personally, I have every right to intervene.”

“Unreasonable!” Lin Dongxue pouted.

“Dear sister…” Lin Qiupu slipped, then quickly regained his composure. “We’ll discuss your issue later.”

Chen Shi chuckled at the scene. Lin Qiupu snapped, “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing. I was wondering how you’d test me. I accept!”

“No backing out!”

“But I have conditions too.”

“Let’s hear them.”

“If my deduction is sound, you’ll let me participate in the case, share all information and progress, and provide support when needed. Of course, I won’t be a burden. I’ll do my best to help solve the case.”

“Impossible!” Lin Qiupu nearly shouted. “You’re just a driver. On what grounds would you be part of the investigation? That’s against regulations!”

“Regulations are made by people. Besides, don’t the police sometimes hire consultants?”

“Consultant? Dream on! Do you think the thousands of police officers in Long’an can’t solve this case? And without credentials, how would you conduct investigations?”

Chen Shi glanced at Lin Dongxue and smiled. “I don’t need credentials. I’ll partner with her.”