Chapter 574: Anonymous Tip

At the tech team office, Peng Siyue told Chen Shi, “There are only two sets of fingerprints on the Chunghwa cigarette pack: Mr. Liu’s and Mr. Yan’s. The distribution of Mr. Yan’s fingerprints is like this…” Peng showed him a simulated image.

As a former smoker, Chen Shi recognized the pattern left by opening a pack. “Mr. Yan stole the cigarettes. Are his fingerprints on the trophy?”

“No fingerprints on the trophy. It was wiped clean, including the bloodstains. Without luminol, we wouldn’t have found the blood.”

Chen Shi picked up the trophy from the table. Its design meant it had to be either cradled with both hands or held by the top with one hand. “If blood spattered on the bottom, how would you swing it?”

“Grab it with one hand and swing hard.”

“Where would you hit?”

“Logically, only a blow to the head would cause such bleeding. The scalp has many blood vessels. Hitting the body might just cause bruises without bleeding.”

“The office is likely the murder scene. Someone cleaned it up afterward… Mr. Yan quit smoking years ago. Why suddenly steal cigarettes and leave ashes on the bloodstains?”

“These aren’t solid evidence. The suspect could easily come up with explanations, especially without a body.”

Chen Shi’s expression darkened. He muttered, “There must be an expert helping… Could it be him?” Then he walked out, lost in thought. Peng Siyue noticed a minute later that Chen Shi had taken the trophy with him.

Chen Shi was deep in thought, only realizing two things when he got home: he forgot to pick up Tao Yueyue, and there was a trophy on the passenger seat. Snapping out of his reverie, he took a cigarette, hesitated, and then started the car to pick up Tao Yueyue.

The next morning at the station, Chen Shi looked tired. Lin Dongxue sniffed at him, “Did you drink last night?”

“No… Well, I had a bit.”

“I thought nothing could bother you. This little thing got you down?”

“I drank because I was exhausted, not because of this,” Chen Shi defended. “Any updates?”

“I wanted to tell you, we got an anonymous tip last night. The caller lowered their voice and said they heard Mr. Yan and Ms. Lin arguing on September 30th, mentioning words like ‘principal’ and ‘despicable.’ Mr. Yan’s car left the school at 8 p.m. without Ms. Lin.”

“An anonymous tip? Maybe I made the call.”

“Seriously!?”

“I mean, such tips aren’t evidence. In court, a lawyer could argue we faked it.”

“Still, it’s a lead.”

“I suspected Mr. Yan last night. Fingerprints, blood, ashes… something happened between him and Ms. Lin on the night of September 30th.”

“Should we go talk to him?”

“It’s a bit early… Let’s visit Ms. Lin’s home.”

As the daughter of a deputy director, Ms. Lin had a nicely furnished apartment near the school. Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue went there with her father. The apartment was well-decorated with a neat living room and a piano by the window.

Mr. Lin said, “Xiaoxiao loved music from a young age. She won a citywide children’s music competition. If only we supported her dream more, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“What do you mean by ‘this’?” Lin Dongxue asked.

“Isn’t there a rumor she ran off with her rock musician ex? Didn’t you investigate that?”

“We are. He’s on tour, not in town. Ms. Lin’s ID shows no recent ticket purchases. Does she have a car?”

“She doesn’t drive. The school is close enough.”

Chen Shi asked, “Where did the rumor start?”

“At school.”

“Details?”

“People said she was fed up with her family’s control and left without a word.” Mr. Lin sighed again.

“From your perspective as her father, was her relationship with Mr. Yan good?”

“Very good! He’s from a modest background but very diligent. He came to our house several times, and my wife especially liked him. She felt comfortable entrusting our daughter to him. Last time he visited, he brought health supplements for my wife’s illness.”

“Your wife’s illness?”

“She has hypertension and a heart condition. She recently had stent surgery and has been in the hospital.”

“But you said you planned a family dinner on October 1st?”

“Yes, it was a rare chance to be together. I bought groceries early that morning, and my wife took leave from the hospital. We were going to have a nice meal, but Xiaoxiao said she had something to do and left…”

“Were you alone on September 30th?”

“Yes.”

They primarily came to collect Ms. Lin’s fingerprints and DNA. Chen Shi paid special attention to the shoe rack, entrance, and bathroom, which seemed untouched by outsiders. Lin Dongxue found an unopened foot massager in a cabinet.

Mr. Lin was surprised, “Why did she buy another one?”

“Exactly the same?” Chen Shi asked.

“Yes. I saw it on TV once and jokingly said I wanted to try it. She remembered and bought two.”

Signs in the apartment indicated Ms. Lin didn’t leave abruptly. She didn’t take clothes, turn off appliances, or carry her credit card and ID.

Downstairs, Chen Shi asked Mr. Lin, “Did you use the foot massager?”

“Yes, we used it that day.”

“Is the box still here?”

“Yes, the dog uses it as a bed.”

“I’d like to take it for examination.”

“Why? But if you insist…”

At noon, they brought the foot massager box back. It had Ms. Lin’s fingerprints, making Chen Shi question his earlier theory. Was she really alive on October 1st?

Just then, the sub-bureau called: a female body was found in the suburbs. The entire second team rushed to the scene…