Chapter 21: The Crime Committed by an Acquaintance

Upon hearing these words, Lin Qiupu immediately flared up, pointing at Chen Shi and questioning, “What are you trying to do?” He initially wanted to ask, “Are you trying to hit on my sister?” but saying such things in front of subordinates would be undignified, so he changed his question to, “What are you up to?”

“My intentions? Very simple, to punish the guilty and promote justice.”

“You think I’ll believe that?”

“Captain Lin, I know you’re a policeman, and it’s your job to be suspicious. So, let’s not get sidetracked. You set conditions; why can’t I? A fair bet is more challenging. Or are you afraid that my conclusions will be more accurate than yours?”

Though he knew it was a provocation, Lin Qiupu couldn’t help but take the bait. He said, “Afraid? How ridiculous. I’ve been a policeman for so many years, handling dozens of cases. Why would I be afraid of being outdone by you?”

“Then why not agree? If you think I have no ability, what’s the harm in agreeing?”

Lin Qiupu thought for a moment. Chen Shi had only walked around the scene and hadn’t inquired with the property management or checked the surveillance. It should be difficult for him to conclude that it was an acquaintance committing the crime. Looking at the scene, anyone would think it was a violent intruder.

A smile reappeared on Lin Qiupu’s face, “Fine, I agree.”

“Hope Captain Lin keeps his word,” Chen Shi smiled slightly.

“Stop talking nonsense and get on with it!”

“First of all, this was a massacre. The killer’s order of killing should have been the male owner first, then the elderly lady, then the female owner. For some reason, the killer spared the child…”

“Mr. Chen, your insights are really enlightening. I had no idea about these details!” Lin Qiupu mocked, thinking this was all obvious.

Chen Shi ignored the sarcasm and said, “Then, it’s an acquaintance who committed the crime.”

“What?!” Lin Qiupu’s eyes widened. “You’re just guessing! That doesn’t count!”

“Guessing? Let me walk you through my reasoning!” Chen Shi walked to the door and pointed at the wall, “Most households have light switches by the door, but this one has a remote switch. You can find the remote if you look. When I came in, the lights were off. The victims died around midnight last night, so the lights should have been on then. The killer turned them off when leaving, indicating familiarity with the house, likely a friend of the family who knew this detail.”

“Wait, how did you determine the time of death?”

“Rigor mortis, livor mortis, and the cloudiness of the pupils. I’ve read some forensic books, so I have some understanding.”

Lin Qiupu broke into a cold sweat. This guy was truly hiding his skills. He said, “Just this point alone doesn’t prove it’s an acquaintance.”

“The man in front of the bathroom was killed by a blow from the toilet tank lid from behind. Judging by the position of the body, it’s easy to conclude the killer ambushed him in the bathroom…”

“Are you saying otherwise?”

“No. Have you checked the toilet? There’s a puddle of unflushed urine. Whether it’s the killer’s or the victim’s, it disproves the ambush theory. The killer and the male owner likely talked in front of the bathroom, and the killer struck when he let his guard down.”

Lin Qiupu instructed a subordinate, “Go check!”

The subordinate looked and confirmed, “There’s unflushed urine in the toilet.”

Lin Qiupu bit his lip. How could he have missed this detail, letting this guy take the advantage? He asked, “Anything else?”

“Most importantly, all the tools used by the killer were from this house. He didn’t bring any weapons, suggesting he didn’t plan to kill when he entered. Another detail, there’s a pot of tremella lotus seed soup in the kitchen, a bowl in the elderly lady’s room, and four bowls in the sink, indicating an extra person. Why would the hosts serve a stranger this dessert? The person must have been an acquaintance, a very close one, visiting late at night!”

Lin Qiupu was both impressed and frustrated. This guy’s analysis was more comprehensive than theirs.

Lin Qiupu fell silent. Chen Shi said, “Captain Lin, don’t forget your promise.”

Noticing the other officers watching, Lin Qiupu snapped, “Get back to work!”

After they dispersed, he sighed and said, “Alright, you can work with the task force but only under my command and only for this case.”

Glancing at Lin Dongxue, he thought, “I’ll make sure you have no opportunities.”

“I refuse!” Chen Shi replied.

“How dare you! In my task force, you follow my orders. I don’t need individual heroism. If you don’t agree, leave!”

Chen Shi shook his head and smiled, “There were no such conditions earlier. Adding them now is like a child playing games. I’m ten years older than you, but you can’t actually act like a kid.”

“I…” Being contradicted, Lin Qiupu almost exploded. “I won’t let you and Lin Dongxue investigate together!”

“Brother, why?” Lin Dongxue asked.

“Yes, why? Because she’s your sister?” Chen Shi also asked.

Caught off guard, Lin Qiupu’s face turned red. Avoiding the question, he said, “I said no, so it’s no. She’s in the team and must follow orders. Lin Dongxue, I forbid you to partner with him!”

“Brother, you’re being unreasonable!” Lin Dongxue said, storming off angrily.

Chen Shi also prepared to leave but was suddenly grabbed by Lin Qiupu, who said, “Please, just stay away from my sister!”

“Which eye saw me making moves on her?” Chen Shi asked, amused.

“There are so many in the team you could partner with. Why her? She’s not even that capable or experienced…”

“Captain Lin, you know the biggest difference between you and her? She treats people equally, while you judged me as just a driver from the start, valuing people based on their job and background. That’s the greatest injustice. I hope you improve your mindset and treat people equally.” With that, Chen Shi patted Lin Qiupu’s shoulder and left.

Watching Chen Shi’s back, Lin Qiupu’s face flushed with anger. A subordinate approached him, speaking cautiously, “Captain Lin, we found an IOU.”

“What IOU?”

“A loan shark. This family owed a huge debt!”

Hearing this, Lin Qiupu’s thoughts returned to the case. “How much?”

“Nearly 800,000 yuan with interest!” The subordinate said. For an ordinary family, it was astronomical. Lin Qiupu suddenly felt a glimmer of hope, sensing a lead in the case.