Chapter 227: Liu Hong’s Secret

Lin Dongxue was astounded. Liu Hong had set up his own pet crematorium specifically to burn bodies!?

Chen Shi called the two of them aside and asked, “Can we arrest Liu Hong?”

“He’s been detained for drunk driving, damaging public property, and insulting law enforcement. But he’ll be out in twenty-four hours,” Lin Dongxue replied.

“Let’s make the most of it and gather evidence,” Chen Shi suggested.

“What about searching his house…?” Lin Dongxue began.

“I tried that. The bastard has an alarm system. Breaking in would alert him. Let’s not think about it!” Chen Shi replied.

Peng Sijue scolded, “How can you discuss this so casually? Searching someone’s house without a warrant is illegal. Do you have any sense of duty as police officers?”

Chen Shi retorted, “Can’t we even talk about it? Hell, I’d like to buy a gun and shoot him!”

Peng Sijue glared at him.

Chen Shi turned to the staff, “The woman who brought the Tibetan mastiff for cremation, how old was she?”

“Thirty or forty?” one staff member guessed.

“Can you be more specific?”

“She wore sunglasses and a scarf. Her skin was smooth. I couldn’t tell her real age.”

“How tall was she?”

“Around my height, but she wore high heels.”

“Any surveillance cameras?”

“No.”

“Figures. This is Liu Hong’s place. Of course, there wouldn’t be cameras.”

Lin Dongxue immediately ordered the staff to hand over the keys. The place would be sealed off for twenty-four hours.

The next day, Peng Sijue arrived with a team to collect evidence. Xu Xiaodong went to retrieve the car from the river, and Lin Dongxue went to interrogate Liu Hong. Chen Shi didn’t participate this time, knowing Liu Hong wouldn’t talk.

In the interrogation room, Liu Hong was evasive, smiling slyly and dodging questions. Chen Shi watched from outside, seething with anger.

A police officer approached, “Chen, there’s a monk outside asking for you.”

Chen Shi went to the entrance and asked the young monk, “Why are you here?”

“I heard the suspect was caught. Is it true?” the monk asked.

“Where did you hear that?”

“Online. I have a phone too.”

Chen Shi didn’t know how to respond. “The case is ongoing. It’ll take time. Go home and wait for news.”

“Every time you tell me to wait. How can I stay calm?” The young monk realized he was getting agitated and muttered a prayer, “Amitabha. I shouldn’t have yelled. I’m sorry!”

Chen Shi patted his shoulder. “I know you’re more anxious than anyone. You’ve waited thirteen years. What’s a couple more days?”

The young monk refused to leave and sat on a bench outside, waiting for news.

Xu Xiaodong came in and asked, “Where’s Dongxue?”

“In interrogation. Did you get the car out?”

“Yeah, but it’s spotless. Let’s wait for Peng to examine it.”

“I doubt there’s much hope. Liu Hong dumped the car to buy someone time.”

“Someone else?” the young monk exclaimed.

“I can’t say yet. We’re still investigating. I’ll tell you more later.”

“Okay.”

The crematorium was not only sealed for investigation, but all staff who had seen the woman the previous day were brought in to help create a composite sketch. The results were three sketches, each showing a woman with sunglasses and a scarf, but different facial features.

The sketch artist shrugged, “They didn’t get a good look. This is the best we can do.”

Chen Shi examined the sketches, even holding them up to the light. Suddenly, there was a commotion outside. He rushed out to find the young monk gripping Liu Hong by the collar, yelling, “Murderer! You’ll get what’s coming to you!”

Next to Liu Hong was a man in a suit, presumably his lawyer, who kept warning, “Let go, or I’ll sue you for defamation and threatening my client.”

Liu Hong didn’t fight back, standing with his neck stiff, “Are the police just going to stand there?”

“Calm down, little monk!” Lin Dongxue and the others managed to pull the monk away. Liu Hong straightened his disheveled clothes, scoffed, and walked off with his lawyer.

The restrained monk was seething with rage. Chen Shi asked Xu Xiaodong what had happened. Xu Xiaodong explained, “Liu Hong’s lawyer just bailed him out. The monk lost his cool when he saw Liu Hong walking free. Who wouldn’t?”

“Now everything hinges on Peng’s investigation!” Chen Shi sincerely hoped Peng Sijue would make progress. The case felt like being stuck in quicksand, unable to move forward.

Liu Hong said goodbye to his lawyer at the entrance and took a taxi straight home.

In his community, he ran into Officer Liu. Liu Hong brazenly said, “After all these years, the tea at your police station is still terrible.”

Officer Liu caught the hint: Liu Hong was bragging about being released yet again. Officer Liu replied, “Liu Hong, those who do evil will meet their end. Don’t be so arrogant.”

Liu Hong chuckled coldly, taking out a cigarette and tapping it on the pack. “I’m not mocking your police for being incompetent. It’s just that I’m exceptionally capable. You should tell your colleagues to stop wasting their time. No one born yet can catch me!”

Liu Hong patted Officer Liu’s shoulder, “We should have a drink someday. After all, we’ve known each other for over a decade. We’re almost friends.”

Officer Liu shook off his hand, “No thanks.”

“Look at you and then look at me. I’m doing well, while you’re struggling. Offering you a drink is a courtesy you don’t deserve!” Liu Hong spat and walked away.

Back home, Liu Hong became cautious. As usual, he used a magnifying glass to check the lock for tampering. Inside, he examined the thin layer of dust on the floor. Everything was undisturbed.

Satisfied, he relaxed, believing the police hadn’t entered his home.

The Tibetan mastiff, Biaozi, greeted him enthusiastically. Liu Hong petted it, “You’re the only one who treats me well. People are all ungrateful bastards!”

He looked up at a shadowy corner of the room, where a woman in a white nightgown stood quietly.

Liu Hong looked at her but said loudly, “Biaozi, time to eat!”

He poured a big bowl of dog food and microwaved a frozen steak. The woman moved like a ghost to the kitchen. Liu Hong loudly called, “Biaozi, come here!”

The woman knelt before Liu Hong. He stroked her long hair, noticing a few gray strands among the black.

The woman unzipped Liu Hong’s pants and moved her face closer. Liu Hong inhaled sharply, closed his eyes, and looked at the ceiling. Minutes later, his fleshy face twitched as the woman swallowed what was in her mouth.

Liu Hong petted her head and said loudly, “Good dog!”

Then he crouched down and whispered, “I think I saw your son at the station today.”