Chapter 708: Identifying the Real Culprit

At the case briefing the next morning, Lin Qiupu said, “Something happened last night that everyone is probably aware of. I won’t be reprimanding the officers on duty, as the incident was too sudden and unexpected. From now on, everyone must stay vigilant. This criminal is extremely dangerous and ruthless.”

After a murmur of discussions, Lin Qiupu summarized the current suspect information: a male around 35 years old, engaged in manual labor, possibly living near Xin Bai’s rented studio.

The most crucial clue was a video taken by Tao Yueyue. Although the suspect fleeing the police station was wearing a hat, some features were still discernible, increasing the chances of capture.

The face on the slide matched exactly with Chen Shi’s expectations: an ordinary, clean-shaven man with glasses, looking very timid.

Additionally, the body found at the studio yesterday belonged to Xi Xiaohu, a web novelist with a dubious character who had impersonated an editor to scam manuscripts and argued with readers on social media.

According to Xin Bai’s editor, Xi Xiaohu had once scammed Xin Bai, publishing his manuscript under his own name and taunting him to sue if he dared. Xin Bai, considering it wasn’t worth the effort for a few thousand yuan, could only complain to the website. Eventually, Xi Xiaohu’s book was banned, and he even hired online trolls to attack Xin Bai.

Xi Xiaohu had been missing for a month. The autopsy revealed only rice and pickled vegetables in his stomach, multiple old injuries, and a high concentration of catecholamines in his heart muscle, suggesting he had been imprisoned and tortured before being killed, corroborated by Xin Bai’s “murder diary.”

The “murder diary” also mentioned five other murders in the studio, with the victims’ identities still unknown.

Regarding the missing Lan Xiao, his ID had been used multiple times in the city, and a phone card had been issued under his name. He disappeared two months ago, suggesting he might still be alive, with the suspect planning for Xin Bai to kill him at a specific time.

“Today’s main task is to find this person and arrest him!” Lin Qiupu announced.

“Hold on, everyone.” Chen Shi took out a bag emitting a delicious aroma. The bag read “God’s Fried Chicken.” “Xin Bai might have some clues. Lin, please arrange another interrogation.”

Xin Bai was brought to the interrogation room again. Though he didn’t see the suspect last night, the gunshots and police shouting terrified him, leaving him trembling.

“Did he come last night?” he asked, shivering.

“No need to hide it,” Chen Shi whispered to Lin Qiupu, then said, “Yes, he came to rescue you. We almost caught him.”

“He really came! He really came!” Xin Bai was terrified.

“Haven’t had breakfast?” Chen Shi placed fried chicken, a Coke, and fries in front of him. Xin Bai seemed to recall something, and Chen Shi smiled, “You said it yourself, if other methods don’t wake you, this will!”

Xin Bai swallowed hard and then began devouring the chicken leg, tears streaming down his face. In no time, he had stripped the chicken leg clean, sucking on his fingers for more.

“Can you tell us his name, where he lives? We’re this close to catching him. Once he’s caught, you’ll be safe. Only you can save yourself!” Chen Shi urged.

Trembling, Xin Bai gathered his courage and said, “Dongyang Road Walmart. I saw the bag he brought back from there. He works there.”

Chen Shi excitedly said, “Catch him, and I’ll get you more fried chicken.”

The police rushed to the supermarket and learned that an employee named Xu Guolong had taken two days off. The staff didn’t know where Xu lived.

But the police soon found his rental address through his ID. As Lin Qiupu predicted, it was just two streets from Xin Bai’s studio.

By noon, they arrived at Xu Guolong’s apartment. Everyone tensed as the door opened, revealing a dark, untidy room with a computer and some books, one being a well-worn copy of “The Abyss Detective.”

The walls were covered with printouts and clippings about Xin Bai, indicating Xu Guolong was an obsessive fan.

Lin Qiupu turned on the computer, confirming it belonged to the suspect, with surveillance software installed.

“He didn’t come back last night,” Chen Shi noted from the bathroom.

“Search for clues. We need to rescue Lan Xiao!” Lin Qiupu ordered.

“I’ll check the surveillance,” Lin Dongxue said.

As officers searched the cramped apartment, Lin Dongxue and Chen Shi headed to the property management office to review the footage. Around 11:50 PM, they saw a surprising scene: Xu Guolong, dressed as a delivery worker, walking up to the gate, revealing his face under the camera, holding a sign with some writing on it.

“It’s a number…139…” Lin Dongxue strained to read.

They finally deciphered the number and rushed to tell Lin Qiupu. He said, “Is he expecting us to call him? I’ll contact headquarters to trace the signal.”

After making arrangements, Lin Qiupu dialed the number and put it on speaker. Everyone held their breath.

The call connected, and a calm male voice said, “I knew the police would call. You’re in my house, but don’t think I’m surrendering. I want to negotiate.”

“Xu Guolong, you’re dreaming. You’re at the end of the line. Surrendering is your only option!” Lin Qiupu shouted.

“Hahaha!” Xu Guolong laughed and hung up.

Five seconds later, he called back, “Since I left a number, didn’t I leave something else? Look above, behind the ceiling fan!”

Everyone looked up to see a hidden camera on the fan mount.

“There’s a bomb in the house. I have the detonator. One press, and you’re all dust!”

“Xu Guolong, are you challenging the police?” Lin Qiupu yelled.

“Why not!” The call ended.