Chapter 960: Failing to Honor a Last Wish

At six in the evening, Chen Shi brought Tao Yueyue home. She picked up her unfinished book, “The Vicomte of Bragelonne,” but Chen Shi took it from her and handed her a file. “Read this. It’s much more interesting.”

Tao Yueyue made a face, “What’s this?”

“Witness statements from when Zhou Tiannan was murdered. See if you can find any overlooked clues.”

Chen Shi took some ingredients from the fridge and started cooking. Before long, Lin Dongxue came home and, seeing Tao Yueyue in uniform, teased, “Who’s this stylish young lady?”

“Sister Lin, I went on an investigation with Uncle Chen this afternoon.”

“Any progress?”

Chen Shi, wearing an apron and carrying a dish, said, “Yueyue saw the suspect’s car. We went to the SWAT team and plan to deal with a shady car dealership tomorrow.”

Lin Dongxue placed a file folder on the table, “Here’s what I found.”

Chen Shi looked through the documents, which detailed cases of pedestrians being killed by vehicles over the past few years, complete with photos—hardly appetizing reading before dinner.

“Several incidents involved people falling from bus stops… middle school students… insurance salesmen… yoga instructors? If one person did this, there’s no clear pattern among the victims!”

“Maybe he pushes people for the thrill,” Lin Dongxue suggested.

Tao Yueyue suddenly said, “When Zhou Tiannan died, witnesses saw a man in black leave the scene. Was this not investigated properly?”

Chen Shi glanced at the statement, “What can we do with just ‘a man in black’? Some clues, like wine, need time to become valuable.”

“So, this person really exists!” Lin Dongxue said, surprised.

“We need to find commonalities among the victims. Even if the killer acts for pleasure, he’ll have preferences when choosing targets. These preferences can reveal his personality,” Chen Shi said.

“So, are we dropping the domestic violence case?” Lin Dongxue asked.

“We’re not dropping it. There’s just nothing to go on right now… Is the autopsy done?”

“When I left work, Captain Peng was back. He looked quite worn out.”

Chen Shi wondered if Peng Sijue had found Gu You’s body. “I’ll visit the station after dinner.”

After dinner, Chen Shi went to the station. The police had mostly gone home, but the forensics team’s lights were still on. Peng Sijue was alone, comparing DNA profiles on his computer.

Chen Shi guessed Peng hadn’t eaten, so he bought a boxed meal and returned, “Old Peng.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Just checking on you,” Chen Shi smiled. “Went to identify another body today?”

Peng silently nodded, looking at the screen. “It’s not her.”

“Honestly, I think you should stop. Miss Gu is probably no longer with us.”

“You’ve said that many times. Even if she’s gone, she deserves a proper burial. Do you know how many unclaimed bodies there are in Long’an? I try to identify them and return them to their families. It’s a small good deed.”

“Eat something.”

Peng started eating the meal. Chen Shi picked up the autopsy report. The domestic abuser had died from a cyanide injection, and the method suggested someone experienced with medical equipment.

Halfway through the meal, Peng put it down, lit a cigarette, and watched it burn without smoking it.

The room was quiet. Chen Shi struggled with how to begin. Peng, sensing his unease, asked, “Do you have something to say?”

“Haha, why do you ask?”

“Just say it. I have work to do,” Peng said impatiently.

“Uh… How many bodies have you identified?”

“Over a hundred. Why?”

“Can’t you forget her?”

“It’s not about forgetting. She had no family. Finding her body and giving her a proper burial is the least I can do. I’ve always been selfish, but somehow, this became something I needed to do. Did I love her? I don’t know. I’ve never loved anyone else to compare. When identifying these bodies, I always hope it’s her and also hope it’s not. Why am I telling you this? You wouldn’t understand.”

“Why wouldn’t I? You’ve become quite compassionate.”

“Are you mocking me?”

“No, I’m not. You should get some rest.”

Leaving the station, Chen Shi stood outside for five minutes, making up his mind. He drove to a phone shop, bought an anonymous phone, and after hesitating, called 110.

“Hello, I found a body in the suburbs…”

He left no contact information, hung up, turned off the phone, and tossed it in a trash can.

He could see that Peng, despite his denials, deeply loved Gu You. Let him fulfill this last wish.

The anonymous tip worked. The next morning, after a case discussion meeting, Chen Shi found Peng staring at a skeleton on the autopsy table. Chen Shi feigned curiosity, “Another body?”

“It’s really her this time,” Peng said calmly. “Someone called last night. I went this morning. DNA confirms it’s Gu You.”

The skeleton on the table was clean and neatly arranged.

“Let’s hope she didn’t suffer,” Chen Shi mourned.

“Was it you?” Peng asked suddenly.

“What!?”

“I saw the burial site. The body was carefully laid out and wrapped. I thought of our conversation last night, then the anonymous tip. I checked the call recording. You tried to disguise your voice, but it was you! Why? You found her body back then but didn’t report it? You buried her secretly and didn’t tell me?”

Seeing the anger in Peng’s eyes, Chen Shi answered, “It was her last wish.”

“What last wish?”

“She wanted to disappear, so you wouldn’t know she was murdered. But seeing you search desperately for two years drove me crazy, so I reported it.”

Peng stepped closer, his calm demeanor barely hiding his rage.

“If it was her wish, why didn’t you stick to it? If you couldn’t, why didn’t you tell me sooner? You acted like nothing was wrong for two years?”

“I was conflicted…”

Peng jabbed Chen Shi’s chest, “That’s meaningless. I’ll never trust you again! Goodbye!”

Peng left the autopsy room. When Chen Shi followed, the forensics officers said the captain had left without a word.