LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 27 - A Ghost?
Chapter 27: A Ghost?
The division leader left.
The eight detectives in the hall looked at the young man in front of them with strange expressions.
“Hello, seniors, I am Xiao Yu.”
Xiao Yu smiled, his face radiating sunshine, “Please take care of me in the future.”
Being polite never hurts, and people like a sweet talker.
Calling them “seniors” and lowering his stance.
You wouldn’t be embarrassed to trouble a junior, right?
Indeed, a few faces showed smiles.
Others looked at the young man with half-smiles.
“Wait… Xiao Yu?”
A middle-aged detective exclaimed, looking at Xiao Yu in surprise, “Are you the Xiao Yu who solved the warehouse murder case a few days ago?”
With that reminder, others’ expressions changed slightly.
Bincheng is small. Any news within the system can spread in a day.
Gossiping isn’t just a woman’s hobby; men like it too.
Remember yesterday, they were still joking about the Criminal Investigation Team’s incompetence.
No one left to solve cases, so a trainee officer did?
And now, that trainee officer was here…
“Just luck.”
Xiao Yu smiled and shook his head, “I couldn’t have done it alone. It was our team’s joint effort.”
“Not bad, the kid knows how to speak, not claiming all the credit.”
Another veteran detective nodded with a smile, looking at Xiao Yu more warmly.
In the police industry, the most taboo things are claiming undue credit and being overly ambitious.
Those who claim credit are not team players, and the overly ambitious are impulsive!
“Time is tight; let’s discuss the case first.”
A first-level inspector spoke. He was the head of the task force, the first team leader of the Criminal Investigation Division, Niu Peng.
Most of the others were from the first team, with three from the municipal bureau’s Criminal Investigation Department.
“There’s a new development!”
Niu Peng had just received ‘new information’—the case had new clues.
The person providing the clue was Xiao Yu.
Before he could tell his team members, Xiao Yu arrived.
When he brought up the inconsistency in the suspect’s timeline.
Everyone’s view of Xiao Yu changed; there was no longer any hint of disdain.
The kid had some skills, no wonder he was directly sent by higher-ups to join the task force.
“Xiao Yu, what’s your take on this case?”
Since he’s now a member, Niu Peng started seeking his input.
Three cobblers with their combined wits equal Zhuge Liang. Collaboration and brainstorming are the essence of forming a task force.
“I just returned from leave and only read the case file on my way here.”
What do I think? I’m just as confused… Xiao Yu smiled, “I’d like to visit the scene first.”
“No problem.”
Niu Peng nodded, “Lao Wu, take Xiao Yu to the scene.”
“Sure.” A veteran detective stood up.
***
Twenty-five minutes later.
The detective nicknamed ‘Lao Wu’ brought Xiao Yu to a residential community.
The crime scene was on the sixth floor of one of the buildings, a duplex apartment.
A duplex typically means the top floor with an attic.
Such homes are usually cheaper and spacious.
Although cheap, they have many drawbacks.
High floors usually mean no elevator for the sixth-floor duplex design.
The attic often has uneven heights, poor rooftop waterproofing can cause leaks…
Entering the crime scene, a nauseating stench greeted them.
Xiao Yu frowned and stepped in under Lao Wu’s surprised gaze.
Although the corpses had been ‘processed,’ the scene still felt like hell.
Especially one wall in the living room, where remnants of a horrific painting made from dried blood and bone powder could be seen.
The Gates of Hell!
The indoor stench was because windows couldn’t be opened for ventilation, to preserve the scene.
Excessive airflow could bring in dust, easily covering clues.
“Kid, impressive.”
Lao Wu followed Xiao Yu into the living room, joking, “A trainee fresh out of police school shouldn’t handle such a scene, right?”
That’s true.
Usually, only veteran detectives or specialists handle corpses.
First-time exposure to such a crime scene, few can handle it.
In his previous life, the first time Xiao Yu faced a corpse, he almost threw up.
That case still lingers in his memory.
The victim’s body was chopped into pieces, cooked in a large pot.
Smelling that eerie aroma, looking at the body in the pot.
Honestly.
Xiao Yu didn’t vomit on the spot, showing strong mental resilience.
The current crime scene was also terrifying, but just terrifying.
Xiao Yu’s heart was calm.
Because of Lao Wu’s words, he almost laughed.
“Brother Wu, I specialized in forensic examination in police school.”
Xiao Yu explained, “I’ve seen plenty of corpses.”
Police school does teach forensic science, but you need to intern at medical schools’ forensic departments…
“Impressive!”
Lao Wu gave a thumbs up, “I’m Qian Wu, Wu as in martial arts. My colleagues call me Lao Wu.”
“Alright.”
Xiao Yu smiled, “Let’s check the scene first.”
He didn’t focus on the ‘Gates of Hell’ on the wall; the case file had detailed notes and photos.
Visiting the crime scene was for field investigation.
What’s the process of solving a case?
Observe the scene, collect clues, make bold assumptions, and verify cautiously.
Step by step, solving the puzzle, uncovering the truth.
Finally, summarize the collected information to formulate a plan, carefully scrutinize the process to judge the plan’s feasibility…
Xiao Yu had already hypothesized that the primary suspect wasn’t the killer.
With the hypothesis, the real trouble began.
How did the real killer enter and commit the murders without leaving traces?
Are you a ghost, coming and going without a trace?