Chapter 24: The Killer Who Vanished

At the technical team office, the forensic pathologist was conducting an autopsy while the technicians were analyzing various pieces of evidence collected from the scene.

Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue stood at the entrance when Xu Xiaodong arrived. Lin Dongxue snapped, “What are you doing here?”

“We’re partners, aren’t we?” Xu Xiaodong replied.

“Who’s your partner?”

Xu Xiaodong clutched his chest, feigning deep hurt.

Team leader Peng Shijue was busy giving orders: “Xiao Zhang, take these skin samples for testing and make an optical pathology report. Xiao Li, have you finished analyzing the footprint casts? Where’s my candy?”

Peng Shijue rummaged through a pile of papers, finally finding a pack of mint candies and popping one into his mouth while signing some documents.

“Same old Peng,” Chen Shi muttered to himself as he walked over. “I want to ask if the blood test results from the knife handle are out yet?”

Without looking up, Peng Shijue asked, “Who are you? Do you think this is a hospital where anyone can just walk in? Even hospitals require registration!”

“Captain Lin asked me to assist with the case.”

“Proof!” Peng Shijue demanded curtly, his eyes still on the documents.

Lin Dongxue stepped forward, “Captain Peng, he’s telling the truth. I can vouch for him.”

“Written proof!” Peng Shijue remained unmoved, his stern face notorious for its unyielding nature.

Lin Dongxue felt both frustrated and amused. Chen Shi took out his phone and called Lin Qiupu, explaining the situation. Lin Qiupu sighed, “This is ridiculous. Who allowed you to interfere with their work? If there’s something to tell, I’ll inform you myself.”

“Captain Lin, could you please let him know?” Chen Shi put the call on speaker and placed the phone on the table.

After a moment of silence, Lin Qiupu reluctantly said, “Shijue, I asked him to help with the case. You can share information with him.”

Finally looking up, Peng Shijue scrutinized Chen Shi before activating the recording function on his phone. “Captain Lin, repeat that for the record.”

Everyone in the police force knew about Peng Shijue’s meticulous nature, so Lin Qiupu repeated his statement. After recording, Peng Shijue said, “DNA testing isn’t instantaneous. It takes hours. Don’t you know that?”

“Each field has its own expertise,” Chen Shi replied with a smile. “What results are out so far?”

Peng Shijue turned and tossed a stack of photos onto the table. “We found a set of bloody footprints at the scene. Size 43 sneakers, heavily worn on the outer edges. There’s no matching shoe among those we collected, so they likely belong to the killer.”

“What sizes were the shoes at the scene?” Chen Shi asked.

“34, 35, 43,” Peng Shijue replied promptly.

“So the killer and the male victim wore the same size?” Chen Shi mused. “What else?”

“We found four sets of fingerprints. Two on the murder weapon belong to the victims. None from the killer. The male victim’s prints were more numerous.”

“There should be prints on the bowls at the scene. The killer was a familiar face, unlikely to have worn gloves while eating.”

“Xiao Zhang!” Peng Shijue called a technician over and relayed the question.

Xiao Zhang replied, “The prints on the bowls belong only to the family of four. No others.”

“Very cautious,” Chen Shi murmured.

Xu Xiaodong chimed in, “I get it. The killer planned ahead and coated their fingers with super glue. Captain Peng, check the weapon and bowls for glue residue.”

Peng Shijue glared at Xu Xiaodong, “I don’t need your direction. I won’t miss anything necessary!” He popped another candy into his mouth.

“Sorry!” Xu Xiaodong mumbled, chastised.

Peng Shijue added, “Saliva enzyme comparisons also show only four people ate from those bowls.”

“Five bowls, but only four people ate?” Chen Shi queried, puzzled.

“My tests are accurate,” Peng Shijue said sharply.

“I didn’t mean to question your results. By the way, I’d like you to run a test. If the blood on the weapon isn’t from the family, compare it to the boy’s DNA for a paternity test.”

“Samples?”

“I’ll bring them later.”

“Understood. If you have nothing else, please leave. Don’t disturb our work.”

“Sorry to trouble you.”

As they left, Lin Dongxue explained, “Captain Peng is always like that. None of us could handle it at first.”

“It’s fine. That kind of dedication is admirable,” Chen Shi said, smiling.

“Why do you want a paternity test between the killer and the boy? Are you suspecting…”

“Just ruling things out.”

They continued their conversation, ignoring Xu Xiaodong, who sulked. “Winter Snow, you’re getting close to this guy pretty quickly. Are the rumors true?”

Lin Dongxue stopped and turned, “What business is it of yours who I know? And what rumors?”

“Nothing… nothing!” Xu Xiaodong stammered.

“Speak! Is someone talking behind my back?”

“Don’t mind the gossip. Let’s focus on the case,” Chen Shi interjected.

“I hate people gossiping!” Lin Dongxue fumed. Being the captain’s sister, she was often suspected of nepotism. In reality, she had fewer opportunities to prove herself, and in two years, she hadn’t achieved much.

Outside, Chen Shi stopped. “I’ll go to the hospital for the boy’s blood sample. Then I’ll catch some sleep. Update me if there are any developments. I’m not a cop, no need to work around the clock.”

“What’s your take on the case?” Lin Dongxue asked.

“What’s your brother’s focus?”

“A loan shark.”

Xu Xiaodong added, “This family owes eighty thousand. Loan sharks are terrifying.”

Chen Shi pondered, “I suggest finding out how this family got so deeply in debt during your visits.”

“Do you think the lender could be the killer?”

“Remember what I said earlier,” Chen Shi hinted.

Lin Dongxue recalled his comment about the killer sparing the boy, suggesting the lender might not be the suspect.

“See you later,” Chen Shi said, smiling as he walked away.

Xu Xiaodong asked, “Winter Snow, do you really like older men?”

“Get lost!” Lin Dongxue snapped instinctively. Then, reconsidering, she said, “Yes, I like mature men. So what?”

Xu Xiaodong, looking conflicted, said, “But he doesn’t look mature at all. He’s unkempt and smells like smoke. It’s gross!”

“He’s still more mature than someone who gossips behind people’s backs,” Lin Dongxue retorted, walking away.

Xu Xiaodong stood there, pondering, “She must be kidding, right?”