S.C.I Mystery Series Volume 2 Chapter 4

The Innocent Murderer 04 - Inextricably Linked

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Bai Chi rushed home before the heavy rain fell, opened the door, and saw Zhao Zhen and Lisbon lying on the sofa in the living room, dying of hunger.

"Chi Chi~~" Zhao Zhen rushed over and hugged Bai Chi, "I'm so hungry."

Lisbon smelled his scent and leaned forward, rubbing Bai Chi's leg like a cat.

Bai Chi sighed, first he put Lisbon's portion on the ground and let him eat first. Seeing Lisbon eating happily, Bai Chi sighed again, touched its fur and said, "If you are hungry next time, just eat Zhao Zhen. That's right…"

"You're so cruel." Zhao Zhen fiddled with the fried dumplings and fried rice in the lunch box with a pair of chopsticks, and said listlessly, "Chi Chi, I haven't eaten good food for a long time. Don't you always send me a lunch box? I want to eat your food."

"No way." Bai Chi poured a glass of water and sat down. "There has been a big case recently."

"Is there another case?" Zhao Zhen stuffed a dumpling into his mouth to chew. "Why is this city so abnormal? What kind of case is this time?"

"Well... this case is quite perverted." Bai Chi lay on the table and watched Zhao Zhen eat. He thought to himself that this man was really rich in temperament, and he was so elegant even when devouring a fried dumpling. After thinking about it, he said, "Have you not performed yet?"

"Right..." Zhao Zhen picked up a fried dumpling and stuffed it into Bai Chi's mouth. "there will be a performance in two days."

"Are you going abroad?" Bai Chi asked.

"No, just in this city, Tianyu Entertainment City is holding a magic week. I will do the final performance and be a judge for their magic competition."

"Tianyu Entertainment City..." Bai Chi asked, touching his chin, "You seem to rarely attend such events, and you are even a judge."

"That's right." Zhao Zhen gulped and nodded, "Aren't I an international superstar? The appearance fee is very expensive, so few events can afford it."

"Is Tianyu's price very good?" Bai Chi asked.

"Mhmm." Zhao Zhen nodded, "It scared the economic man, so I had to sell myself to make a living."

"Ahem..." Bai Chi choked on the water and glared at Zhao Zhen, "total nonsense."

"It's not nonsense." Zhao Zhen laughed, "The boss of Tianyu is a woman, and her saliva almost came out when she looked at me."

"Re... really?" Bai Chi was a little nervous, "So you will go?!"

Seeing Bai Chi's vigilant face, Zhao Zhen couldn't help but smile, and he deliberately said, "It's not bad, she is a very beautiful woman, she's sexy, she has a good figure, and she has money."

Bai Chi was silent for a while, then stretched out his hand and grabbed the fried rice that Zhao Zhen hadn't touched, "I won't let you eat it!" After he finished speaking, he walked over and poured the fried rice for Lisbon, then turned to take a shower.

With his chopsticks in his mouth, Zhao Zhen watched Lisbon eating deliciously, and sighed for a long time... Alas, dead child, you don't let me eat good food, now you won't even let me eat rice. I'm afraid that there are no other international superstars that struggle like me~~ 

Bai Chi came out after taking a shower, wiping his hair, and saw Zhao Zhen lying on the table looking at the magazine. His face was a little pale, while Lisbon at his feet was eating so enthusiastically that he was burping and licking his paws to wash his face... Bai Chi felt soft and fierce. He discovered that Zhao Zhen seems to have lost a lot of weight recently.

After thinking about it, he walked into the kitchen and cooked him a bowl of noodles, and added eggs, green cabbage leaves and two slices of ham. Bai Chi held the fragrant noodles and put them in front of Zhao Zhen.

Zhao Zhen immediately beamed with joy, holding a bowl of noodles, and started eating.

"How come you seem to have lost a lot of weight recently?" Bai Chi asked Zhao Zhen as he sat on the sofa and brushed Lisbon.

"Mhmm, I'm losing weight." Zhao Zhen said while eating noodles.

"You are already so thin, why are you losing weight?" Bai Chi was puzzled.

"It's needed for my new magic." Zhao Zhen said casually. "So I have been diving during the day."

"Diving?" Bai Chi walked over, stretched out Zhao Zhen's sleeves, and stared at him for a while, "You really have lost a lot of weight, what kind of magic makes you thin like this?"

"Heh..." Zhao Zhen laughed and said mysteriously, "A type of magic where I am the only one in the world who can do it."

Bai Chi was curious and asked, "What is it?"

Zhao Zhen said half-jokingly and half-seriously, "It's a secret, I haven't told anyone... Unless you're my lover, then I will tell you. Do you want to be my lover?"

“Tch..." Bai Chi cleaned up the dishes, muttering in a low voice, "Forget it if you won't say it, what's the point of being so proud." After saying that, he took the dishes to the kitchen to wash them, leaving Zhao Zhen sitting alone in the living room. Only after a long time did he let out a long sigh, slightly doting and full of helplessness, and he cursed in a low voice: "Little fool." Leaving the table, he swooped over to ravage the fatter and fatter Lisbon, "Why are you getting fatter every day? Where are you like a lion, washing your face after eating, I'm going to rename you Garfield!"

One person and one lion played happily in the living room. They did not notice that Bai Chi, who was washing the dishes in the kitchen, had a face that was redder than tomato.

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang came to SCI's office early the next morning, and saw Luo Tian sitting on the sofa, while Luo Yang was reading English books.

"Why are you here?" Bai Yutang asked, "Don't you have the morning off?"

"Yeah." Luo Tian took out an SD card from his pocket and handed it to Bai Yutang, "I'll be leaving in a while, but this was taken last night, I think I'd better show it to you."

Zhan Zhao took it and gave it to Jiang Ping to play it. It was the scene where Zhao Jing finished spelling 'I LOVE YOU' with building blocks and went to bed last night.

"What about after this?" Zhan Zhao asked Luo Tian, "Has she been up yet?"

Luo Tian shook his head, "No, she has been sleeping soundly since then."

"Strange." Bai Yutang turned to look at Zhan Zhao, "Why is there such a move?"

Zhan Zhao frowned and paused before saying, "I'm not sure..."

"Could it... those corpses?" Bai Yutang hesitated.

"Do you suspect that the corpses were also made by a child?" Zhan Zhao asked.

"This..." Zhan Zhao became uncertain, but heard someone say at the door, "That would be terrible."

When the few people turned their heads, they saw Gongsun standing at the door with a stack of papers. His face was a little pale, and everyone knew – he definitely did another autopsy overnight.

"What do you mean?" Bai Yutang asked Gongsun, "The results from the autopsy are out?"

"Huh..." Gongsun walked in and said, "Can you guys wait?"

"Yeah." Everyone glanced at each other and waited for Gongsun to continue.

"Let me show you some photos first." Gongsun handed over the file and opened it to show the few people.

They saw the details of the corpse in the photo, with some bruises on it.

"Bruises?" Bai Yutang frowned, "Was the deceased beaten by someone before his death?"

"It's not like..." Zhan Zhao widened his eyes and said, "It's finger marks... and..." When he said this, he looked up at Gongsun and saw Gongsun nodding to him.

Zhan Zhao took a deep breath, turned to look at Luo Tian, and then at Luo Yang, who was listening to them curiously with his ears erected.

Luo Tian hugged Luo Yang and said, "Lets go, it's time to go to school. I'll take you there."

"It's still early." Luo Yang looked at his watch and put his arms around Luo Tian, "I haven't finished listening yet."

"Hey, Dad will send you to school." Luo Tian hugged Luo Yang, then went out and closed the door.

"What the hell is going on?" Jiang Ping was puzzled, and stretched his neck to look at Gongsun and Zhan Zhao.

"These finger marks..." Gongsun said as he stretched out his left hand to pull up Jiang Ping's arm, his right hand was like a knife, and he slashed Jiang Ping's shoulder. "that's how it happened."

"Grabbed while cutting?" Bai Yutang was startled.

"As far as I know... dead people don't bruise, right?" Jiang Ping turned pale and asked tremblingly.

"So..." Gongsun nodded, "it happened while they were alive!"

Everyone was silent for a while. Jiang Ping stood up, said "I must leave now...", and ran away with his mouth covered.

Bai Yutang frowned, "But there is no sign of resistance at the scene... and if there is a dispute, how can no one hear the screams?"

"Also," Seeing that Zhan Zhao seemed to have something to ask, Gongsun spoke first, "they don't have any drugs in them."

"... A living person, who doesn't resist, is chopped up?" Zhan Zhao muttered to himself.

"Mhmm..." After putting the document in Bai Yutang's hand, Gongsun said, "If this murderer is caught, you must let me visit them!" After speaking, he turned and left.

Bai Yutang and Zhan Zhao looked at each other, and there was nothing to say.

Zhan Zhao walked to the table and sat down, bowed his head and said nothing. Bai Yutang looked at the document carefully and said, "Cat, are there any clues?"

Zhan Zhao shook his head. Seeing Jiang Ping come back, he asked, "Jiang Ping, are there any similar cases?"

"No." Jiang Ping shook his head, called up the information, and said, "There have been only a few corpses in the past six months, and the murderer has been caught."

Zhan Zhao touched his chin, "So how..."

At this moment, they heard the door being pushed open. Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang looked up and saw Lu Fang walk in with someone behind him.

"Xiao Zhan, someone is looking for you." Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang looked at each other, and looked at the man behind Lu Fang. He looked less than thirty years old, with neat short hair and a pair of rimless glasses. He looked ordinary, he was not tall or short, in short, it was a style that no one could find in a pile of people.

"This is?" Bai Yutang asked Lu Fang.

"He is Park Shaoheng," Lu Fang replied, "Fang Wo's lawyer."

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang were surprised. They saw Park Shaoheng walking over. He was reaching out to shake hands with Zhan Zhao, and said, "Dr. Zhan, I have admired the name for a long time."

"Are you looking for me?" Zhan Zhao asked.

"That's right." Park Shaoheng nodded and said, "I will get straight to the point. Fang Wo's hearing will start in three days. During this period, we want to apply for a polygraph test for Fang Wo, but we need proof from an authoritative person. After thinking about it, we think that you are the most authoritative person."

Zhan Zhao was taken aback for a moment, and said, "The polygraph test cannot be used as evidence."

Park Shaoheng nodded, "I know, but this time the polygraph test may have a big impact on the final trial result."

"I don't know Fang Wo." Zhan Zhao said, "Moreover, we pay attention to evidence when solving a case, not inferences from psychology."

Park Shaoheng thought for a while, and said, "I understand, but this is related to whether an innocent person will be wronged... Dr. Zhan can go meet Fang Wo, I believe that as long as you have had a conversation with him, you will know that he is not at all such a crazy person."

"We have more important things to do now." Bai Yutang suddenly said, "You have to give us some time to arrange it. You wouldn't want to take the cat away right now, would you?"

"Uh..." Park Shaoheng smiled awkwardly and nodded, "Yes, I am in a hurry, but I still ask Dr. Zhan to think about it. This is not only about saving an innocent person, but also because the real murderer is still at large."

Zhan Zhao nodded, Park Shaoheng left his business card, turned around, and left with Lu Fang.

Seeing that the two were gone, Bai Yutang reached out and picked up Zhan Zhao, entered the office, closed the door, and asked, "Cat, what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing..." Zhan Zhao shook his head.

"I rarely see you being so repulsive towards something." Bai Yutang sat next to Zhan Zhao, "I feel that you are very repulsed by this case!"

Zhan Zhao sighed, leaned on the sofa, and said to Bai Yutang earnestly, "Do you think that Fang Wo's case is developing in an incorrect direction?"

Bai Yutang was very interested and said, "Tell me about it."

"I have been working with you for so long. My professional knowledge is only used to help you find evidence." Zhan Zhao hugged a pillow and said seriously, "But I have never used psychology to judge whether a person is guilty or innocent."

Bai Yutang nodded, "Right."

"But in Fang Wo's case, once a precedent is set, then it may develop into a polygraph test as long as the psychologist suspects someone." Zhan Zhao sighed, "At that time, it will not be a conviction based on evidence, but a conviction from an inference. Where is the justice?"

Bai Yutang was silent after hearing Zhan Zhao's words, and said after a long pause, "What you said makes sense."

"Regardless of whether Fang Wo is the murderer or not, what we should do is to conduct a thorough investigation and find the evidence, rather than judging his quality and then performing a polygraph." Zhan Zhao continued, "Otherwise, it would be too dangerous."

Bai Yutang stood up, slowly took a few steps into the office, and said, "Cat, let's see Fang Wo."

Zhan Zhao looked up at him, "You mean, look for clues from him?"

Bai Yutang nodded, "I'm thinking that there are many serial killers, and there are no cases without evidence. But only Fang Wo's case went in a strange direction... Is there a possibility of being human-oriented?"

Zhan Zhao nodded repeatedly, "I think so too! It's just our case..."

"Anyway, there are no clues right now." Bai Yutang said, "It's boring to wait idly, it's better to go and take a look. After looking into it, we will find a way. Anyway, as far as criminal psychology and criminal investigation are concerned, you are authoritative. Someone will definitely ask you for your opinion before the trial. You only have to disagree with the polygraph test and explain your point of view... They can't help it, right?!"

Zhan Zhao thought for a while, felt it was reasonable, and nodded, "Okay! Let's go now!"

Bai Yutang picked up the car key, "Go!"

……….

Gongsun left the police station in a daze and walked downstairs. He felt a little uncomfortable in his stomach. He was too hungry last night and hadn't eaten, so his stomach was uncomfortable this morning. It feels ridiculous to think about it. Usually, if he stays up late to work, Bai Jintang will definitely come and give him dinner. However, he has gone abroad these last two days, and he doesn't know when he will be back...

Just as he was thinking about it, his phone rang. When he took it out, it turned out to be Bai Jintang.

"Hello?" Gongsun answered the phone.

"..." The other end was silent for a while and asked, "Are you unwell? Was it another all-nighter last night?"

Gongsun was speechless and nodded, "Mhmm."

Bai Jintang frowned, "Why did Yutang make you work all night again?!"

"What does it have to do with him?" Gongsun laughed, "They stay up all night every day, so I was also busy all night, and the rest of the time was free."

"Have you had breakfast?" Bai Jintang asked again.

"I'm going to now." Gongsun listened to the phone and walked to a cafe opposite the police station.

"Drink a cup of hot milk, and then eat something soft." Bai Jintang whispered, "Don't drink coffee. Go home and sleep after you finish."

"Got it." Gongsun opened the door of the cafe, "When will you be back?"

"... Miss me?" Bai Jintang laughed.

"..." Gongsun was speechless, he sat at the table and said to the waiter, "A cup of hot milk, a piece of cheese."

"I will be back soon." Bai Jintang smiled, "Take care of yourself."

"Mhmm." Gongsun hung up the phone and picked up the milk. Just when he wanted to drink, he saw a figure in front of him, and a person sat opposite him.

Gongsun raised his face and saw that it was a woman in her thirties, dressed fashionably and sexy, very beautiful and temperamental, dressed in brand-name clothes and jewellery, with a touch of arrogance on her face. 

Gongsun thought about it, but he didn't recall knowing such a person. He looked around and found that there were a lot of empty seats. He wondered why she had to sit across from him.

The woman took off her sunglasses, looked Gongsun up and down, and asked coldly, "Are you Gongsun Ce?"

Gongsun had a terrible stomach-ache, he took another sip of milk, nodded slightly, and looked at the woman, "Who are you?"

The woman waved her hand to the waiter who walked to her side and motioned him to go away. She stared at Gongsun for a long time before saying, "I am the most important woman to Jintang."

"Cough cough..." Gongsun choked on a mouthful of milk. He coughed for a long time. He looked up at the pompous woman in front of him and said, "Aunt Guigeng? You look so young."

The woman's face turned pale for a moment.

‿︵‿︵ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ・❉・ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ‿︵‿︵

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Translator Note

Please feel free to comment any mistakes I made so I can improve and do better as I go through the book.

Translated: March 12, 2021

Re-edited: August 20, 2023