Chapter 485: The Real Culprit Revealed
Chen Shi said, “Don’t be discouraged. Although it seems like the case has hit a dead end, there must be some clues we missed.”
Lin Dongxue suggested, “Remember, Zhang Xiao learned his criminal methods in prison. His accomplice might also be someone he met there. Prisons are like big forums for exchanging criminal techniques.”
Peng Sijue pointed to the water tank where the body was found, “This kind of method isn’t something an average person can come up with on their own.”
Lin Dongxue got excited, “I’ll check the list of people who were imprisoned with Zhang Xiao. Maybe his accomplice is among them.”
Chen Shi added, “Also, check for anyone who was released around the same time as Zhang Xiao.”
Lin Dongxue and Xu Xiaodong left to investigate, while Chen Shi and Peng Sijue stayed to conduct an experiment with the water tank. Of course, they couldn’t use cyanide, so Peng Sijue used a substitute mixture of baking soda and sulfuric acid.
They cautiously opened the water tank, fearing any nasty surprises left by the culprit. Luckily, it was just foul-smelling, murky water inside.
The experiment began, with Peng Sijue’s assistant measuring the concentration of released gases every five minutes. By 5 p.m., the assistant reported that the concentration was nearly zero.
Chen Shi and Peng Sijue exchanged glances, and Chen Shi said, “Forty-five minutes… I remember the police arrived half an hour after the alarm was raised, spent about fifteen minutes gathering information, and then started knocking on doors. That gives the culprit ample time to close the lid and leave. But how did they escape the building without raising suspicion?”
“Dressed as a repairman, perhaps?” Peng Sijue speculated.
“By the way, Dongxue mentioned… ” Chen Shi suddenly remembered seeing Wu Xu at the building that day and again near Zhang Xiao’s place the previous night. Could it be a coincidence?
Wu Xu drove a scrap collection truck, which could enter and exit residential areas without suspicion. Could it be…
Chen Shi quickly called Lin Dongxue, but she didn’t answer. He then called Xu Xiaodong, who said, “Brother Chen, I’m at the property office watching surveillance footage.”
“Isn’t Dongxue with you?”
“She called her brother and then suddenly remembered something, so she took a cab and left.”
Chen Shi’s heart sank. Did she go to confront Wu Xu alone? Sometimes, she could be impulsive.
Wu Xu lived at Lin Dongxue’s old rental place. Chen Shi hurriedly got into his car and called Lin Qiang, asking him to bring reinforcements.
Meanwhile, Lin Dongxue had just arrived at her old rental place. She had noticed Wu Xu’s suspicious presence near Zhang Xiao’s place the previous night, which couldn’t be a coincidence. Although she didn’t want to suspect him, he fit the profile.
She decided to ask Wu Xu’s mother, her former landlady, a few questions to verify her suspicions.
As she got out of the cab, she saw a missed call from Chen Shi and several text messages, “Don’t act alone. Wait for me!!!” Lin Dongxue smiled, thinking he was overly worried. She had no intention of directly confronting Wu Xu, just asking his mother a few questions.
To ease his concern, she replied, “I’m at our old place waiting for you. Hurry up!”
Chen Shi replied, “You scared me! Don’t move until I get there.”
“Okay, I know!”
It was getting dark. Suddenly, someone called out, “Miss Lin, what brings you here?”
Lin Dongxue turned and saw her former landlady, smiling. “I’m here on some business.”
“Oh, I haven’t seen you in a while. Come up and sit for a bit.”
“No, thanks. Are you out buying groceries?”
“Yes, preparing to make dinner. Have you eaten?”
“Not yet. How’s your son doing lately?”
At the mention of her son, the landlady’s face darkened, “He… he finally bought a second-hand truck, collects scrap to make a living. You know, with his record, no one will hire him. Even restaurants refuse him. As soon as they hear ‘criminal record,’ it’s over. I hate to say this, but the government talks about reintegration, but in reality, society won’t give him a chance. Sometimes I think, why not just shoot them instead of making them live such miserable lives after release?” The landlady wiped a few tears, clearly having a hard time.
“It’s tough for you too,” Lin Dongxue consoled, “By the way, do you know where Wu Xu was on the evening of August 3rd?”
The landlady’s eyes widened, “Are you investigating him? So you still don’t see him as a good person? My son has turned over a new leaf. Why can’t the government give him a second chance? Why?”
The landlady’s complaints left Lin Dongxue feeling helpless. “I’m investigating a case, and it’s not about discrimination. We have to ask hundreds of people, it’s just routine.”
“But my son has been staying home, minding his own business. Why ask about him specifically?” The landlady snapped.
“Please, ma’am, cooperate with us.”
Lin Dongxue noticed the landlady’s right hand was hidden in her grocery basket. When she looked closer, she saw the landlady was typing a text message, “Don’t come home, the police are here…”
Lin Dongxue was shocked. Her impression of this kind, understanding woman shattered. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
The landlady pulled her hand back, tears in her eyes, “How can I let you take my son? Last time you took him away for over ten years. If you take him again, I might never see him again!”
“Ma’am, do you know something?”
“I… I…”
Lin Dongxue noticed the landlady’s gaze shifting behind her. She turned and saw Wu Xu approaching rapidly, a handkerchief in his right hand. Realizing the danger, she reached for her gun.
The landlady grabbed her hand, shouting, “Son, hurry!”
“Let go!” Lin Dongxue yelled, elbowing the landlady, but she held tight.
“Don’t hurt my mom!” Wu Xu shouted, lunging at Lin Dongxue with the handkerchief. She recognized the smell: chloroform.
Wu Xu grabbed her left arm, pressing the handkerchief over her face. The landlady held her right hand. Lin Dongxue struggled, trying to avoid inhaling. People passing by noticed the commotion but no one intervened…