Chapter 376: The Fourth Victim

Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue searched the neighborhood surrounding the complex but found no signs of someone climbing over the walls. They also copied surveillance footage from nearby shops.

After the police had left, Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue drove back to the station. The preliminary autopsy report was already out. The victim had been killed by a double-edged blade that severed a major artery, causing an air embolism. Alcohol was found in his bloodstream, indicating he had recently eaten.

Additionally, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (), also known as “G Water” or “Date Rape Drug,” was found in the car. The same substance was detected in a spilled cup of milk tea in the car. The straw had saliva that hadn’t been identified yet, suspected to be the killer’s. Based on the residue, the killer had ingested at least 5 milligrams of the drug.

Lin Qiupu remarked, “It seems the killer arranged to meet the victim, who tried to drug her. That’s why she acted hastily and didn’t put a hawthorn berry in his mouth.”

Another officer added, “The victim has a history of rape; finding such drugs in his car isn’t surprising.”

“It looks like the killer was careless this time, leaving us many clues. Judging by the guide cane, she must be blind. Check the manufacturers and sellers,” Lin Qiupu said. He then asked Chen Shi, “What’s your take?”

“Does have any aphrodisiac effects?” Chen Shi asked.

Peng Si-jue responded, “No, it only makes people lose their senses. But based on the dosage she took, she still had the mobility to leave the crime scene.”

“I have a thought: if the killer gets some enormous benefit from killing, how would she know? She must have killed before, either by accident or in self-defense. Tomorrow, I’ll look into old cases with Dongxue to see if any match.”

“I don’t agree with the idea of her gaining a significant benefit from killing, but I do believe the killer is blind,” Lin Qiupu said. “I spoke with friends of Song Jicheng. One friend mentioned Song had talked about meeting a blind girl, and the timing coincides with his death.”

“I bet she’s quite attractive,” Chen Shi commented.

“Any more substantial suggestions?”

“One more. No need to check eye clinics anymore. From her actions, she seems like a ‘seasoned’ blind person who wouldn’t typically visit doctors. We should look for her within the blind community. Most city blind people know each other.”

“But there are so many. I had no idea there were so many blind people in Long’an.”

Chen Shi shrugged, “I’m heading home.”

The investigation continued intensely. Each task force member interviewed dozens of blind individuals. Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue visited several blind people with criminal records, but none matched their suspect.

Still, Chen Shi didn’t get the feeling that any of them were the one. On June 15th, in the afternoon, they visited another blind person who had fought off a rapist in self-defense. The girl, however, was a 5’6” plump girl, not fitting the suspect’s profile.

Since they were already there, Lin Dongxue showed her badge. “Are you Kang Li?”

“Yes. Are you police officers? Is it about the rapist from two years ago? Did you catch him?”

“We’re investigating a case. Can you tell us where you were on the night of June 13th?”

“I was working at the massage parlor. The manager can vouch for me.”

“The one down the alley?”

“Yes. Are you investigating the rapist? Did he get killed?”

Chen Shi asked, “Why do you think so?”

“You might not know, but he targeted blind people. When I fought him off, I bit his ear. The police identified him as Luo Shiyu through DNA. Does this have something to do with him?”

“Did he attack again? How do you know he only targets blind people?”

“Some of my friends were also victims. He’s been on the run for a while, but lately, he’s been quiet. I thought you might be here about him. Is he dead?”

“We can’t disclose that information right now.”

“If you can, let me know. Since that incident, I’ve been living in fear.”

“We will. Can you name others he assaulted?”

Chen Shi noted down a few names. As they left, he asked Lin Dongxue to call the local police about Luo Shiyu. Lin Dongxue, after a brief conversation, said, “He’s been missing for a year.”

“Where did he live?”

“Caoshi Street, Guoyi Alley.”

“Let’s check it out.”

“Do you think the rapist was killed by our suspect?”

“We’re just guessing at this point.”

Driving over, Lin Dongxue asked, “What do you think is the enormous benefit the killer gets from killing?”

“For a blind person, what benefit would make her take such risks?”

“It can’t be regaining sight, can it?”

“That’s what I think.”

“Are you joking? How can killing make someone see again?”

“When I saw the surveillance footage, I had this thought. I consulted Miss Gu about it… through texts.”

“What did she say?”

“She said it’s possible. It’s called conversion disorder or functional neurological symptom disorder, where a person loses a bodily function due to extreme psychological stress. It’s like a working computer and monitor with a broken cable.”

“I don’t quite get it.”

“In short, the eyes work, but the brain doesn’t acknowledge the sight. Gu thinks the intense stimulus of killing might temporarily restore her vision. To a blind person, seeing the world, even briefly, is the ultimate reward, driving her to kill repeatedly.”

“Could this really be the motive?”

“It’s just a hypothesis. This kind of thing is extremely rare, almost a medical miracle. Let’s focus on more probable leads. The suspect seems to have a lot of free time, possibly living alone. We’ve mostly been checking places where blind people live together. If she’s an attractive, independent blind woman, a rapist targeting blind people might have noticed her. Let’s give it a shot!”

Lin Dongxue laughed, “After enough tries, the truth will eventually reveal itself.”