Chapter 928: Emergency Action

Back at the station, Chen Shi asked the information department to expand the search and include deceased individuals born on the same date. Soon, he received thick stacks of files.

Chen Shi sent a message to everyone, instructing them to stop investigating the victims’ relationships and focus solely on finding suspects among the deceased.

Everyone was busy working. Chen Shi, sitting idly for a moment, then picked up the files, looking for familiar names. He went to the information department multiple times, but none of the people he thought of were among the targets. This included Zhou Tiannan, Lu’s two sons, and other executed criminals.

Lin Dongxue asked, “Even if the mastermind believes this ritual can revive someone for just one day, what’s the point?”

“Reviving someone for a day can be significant…” Chen Shi had a flash of inspiration, thinking of Li Mu, Han Luoxi, and Gu You. “From a practical standpoint, bringing someone back for a day could be valuable for information.”

“Like uncovering a secret taken to the grave? If they’re willing to kill five people, it must be an enormous secret,” Lin suggested.

“Captain, there’s a dead official named Zhang who committed suicide by jumping off a building before he could be arrested for bribery. The whereabouts of the millions he accepted in bribes are unknown,” a police officer reported.

“The mastermind is likely not an atheist, has considerable financial resources, possibly single, and probably works in a creative field,” Chen Shi speculated. “Anyone around Zhang fitting that profile?”

“I’ll look into it…” the officer replied.

Everyone was stumped, staring at the list of names. Simple registration details couldn’t identify suspects, so they started by eliminating those without surviving family. Even then, the list remained vast.

“Exclude natural deaths, focus on those who died unnaturally,” Chen Shi directed.

“Should we assume it’s a man or a woman? Determining that could cut the list in half,” an officer suggested.

“It’s more likely a woman. The mastermind is probably a man trying to revive a partner,” another officer speculated.

“Not necessarily!” Chen Shi countered. “There’s no evidence the mastermind is a man. They could have hired someone to do the killing, implying the mastermind lacks the capability or experience to kill, even if they’re an old woman.”

“Use your imagination. Don’t get stuck on stereotypes. I know this is difficult, but don’t get discouraged!” Chen Shi encouraged.

“The most absurd investigation ever,” a young officer grumbled.

“Stop complaining and get to work,” his partner scolded.

Chen Shi suddenly realized Xu Xiaodong was missing and asked Lin Dongxue. She reminded him, “You sent Xiaodong to Nanheng to check on the instructor’s ex-girlfriend.”

“Damn, what a waste of manpower. I’ll call him back,” Chen Shi said.

Managing personnel was not Chen Shi’s strength. He’d forgotten about sending Xu Xiaodong and his partner to investigate the first victim’s relationships.

He called Xu Xiaodong, instructing him to return immediately. Xu replied, “We’ve already met Sun Lei’s ex. We’re catching the train tonight and will be back by nine. Want any local specialties, Captain?”

“Bring me… nothing!” Chen Shi was interrupted by Lin Dongxue’s cough, reminding him to stay professional.

“Just hurry back. We have a lot to do,” Chen Shi said, hearing some noise in the background. “Where are you?”

“At the hospital, checking Sun Lei’s work records,” Xu replied.

“He was hospitalized in Nanheng?”

“He got sick and was hospitalized for about half a month.”

Chen Shi realized that during Sun Lei’s time in Nanheng, his family hadn’t processed his enlistment. This meant the hospital records there contained his original birthdate.

“Check for a woman named XX (the real name of the ‘foolish aunt’),” Chen Shi instructed.

Twenty minutes later, Xu called back, “Captain, we found her.”

“Confirm her birthdate,” Chen Shi asked.

“Mine or hers?”

“Obviously hers!” Chen Shi handed his mug to Lin Dongxue, who had started coughing again.

“February 19, 1973,” Xu confirmed.

Chen Shi, covering the phone, excitedly told Lin Dongxue, “We found information on the ‘foolish aunt’ at a hospital in Nanheng.”

“But she shouldn’t have been there, right?” Lin Dongxue asked.

“I’ll check.” Chen Shi resumed the call, “What was her condition?”

“No illness. She was there to give birth… Wait, she didn’t give birth there but at Jinlong Hospital in Long’an. The nurse said both hospitals are part of the same network,” Xu explained.

Chen Shi, thrilled by the breakthrough, said, “Check all individuals born on February 19, 1973, living in Long’an.”

Shortly, Xu sent a long text listing ten people. Chen Shi instructed, “Two people per target. Protect the living and report on the dead or missing.”

Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue headed out to find a warehouse manager named Zhang. On the way, Lin received updates from colleagues: four people were safe and agreed to come in for protection. Three couldn’t be reached, and two were out of town.

Chen Shi instructed the officers to focus on the unreachable ones, find their friends and family, visit their homes, and confirm if they were missing.

Around 4 PM, Chen Shi and Lin Dongxue arrived at a car parts factory in the suburbs. The manager called Zhang but got no answer. They went to his warehouse, finding the power cut and an empty break room with a spilled cup of tea.

Chen Shi had a bad feeling and told the manager to seal the exits. He and Lin Dongxue drew their guns. The manager, frightened, asked, “What’s wrong with Zhang? Should I call the police?”

“Just leave and don’t get in our way,” Chen Shi said tersely.

The warehouse was stacked high with boxes. The two moved cautiously. Chen Shi’s grip on his gun tightened and relaxed repeatedly; it was his first time holding a gun in action after four years. He was nervous.

Though he had practiced at the shooting range, real situations were different. Besides, he was never a sharpshooter.

They entered a dimly lit corridor formed by stacked boxes, their backs against each other, guns ready. Suddenly, Lin Dongxue noticed something that made her hair stand on end: a pair of feet being dragged behind the boxes…