Forensic Investigator Zhong immediately re-examined according to my instructions and then suddenly realized, "So that's how it is, how did I not find it?"
"No, you would have found it if you had been more careful. I was also almost deceived by the surface phenomena of the body just now."
Xie Chuchu coughed and said, "If I had examined it, I would have definitely found it."
"I'm sorry, it turns out that the provincial department people are indeed more capable!" Forensic Investigator Zhong said with admiration.
"You're not bad either, your report is very neat, and everything is stated very standardly."
"Thank you, Forensic Investigator Xie. The time of death is indeed 12 hours, right?"
"Yes, have confidence in yourself!"
I then examined another body, only to find that the second victim was female, also around 10 years old, with the same infant handprint on her chest. I wondered what this handprint meant, what the killer intended to convey by leaving it, or if it was intentionally shown to us police. kAnshuWu.ξà
The third victim was also female, and the situation was similar to the second. The cause of death for all three seemed different. I didn't figure out the second one at first, but after moving the body a few times, Forensic Investigator Zhong said, "This time it's not heatstroke, is it?"
I felt that Forensic Investigator Zhong's technical skill was average at best, and it was already good enough for him to be at the city bureau. I didn't answer him, but looking at the report's hints, I took out my stethoscope and tapped the victim's heart and lungs. With the action of the stethoscope, I quickly discovered that the victim's internal organs were not necrotic and blood circulation was normal, which was consistent with the report.
Forensic Investigator Zhong seemed to only be able to examine surface phenomena without being able to analyze results from them. However, these bodies were inherently strange, so it was normal for ordinary forensic investigators to be unable to analyze them.
Xie Chuchu was different; she had learned from me, and Zhang Keying had great talent.
Zhang Keying had also come this time. She compared the second and third bodies and said, "The second one should be cold shock, but the blood circulation doesn't explain it."
"No, her heart must have failed, cold shock doesn't always coagulate blood."
Forensic Investigator Zhong had dissected them before and was very clear about these matters. Hearing us speak, he replied, "Yes, the victim's heart had completely failed, but her other organs were normal. I was very confused at the time and couldn't find a result."
"Cold shock is actually insufficient heat production and excessive heat dissipation by the body, caused by excessive fatigue or prolonged food shortage. Low body temperature prevents normal brain metabolism, leading to coma and death."
Zhang Keying analyzed it for them. Xie Chuchu said, "Both cold and hot, was this intentional?"
"Let's look at the third body again!"
We analyzed his cause of death again, and this time we discovered that the victim had suffered both heat and cold abuse, meaning she died from a mixed cause of death involving both symptoms.
"The third victim suffered the most. Just imagine, a child being tortured to death like this would be an extremely painful experience."
"Alas, they are so pitiful. We must find the murderer as soon as possible!" Gao Mingqiang said.
"Don't be sad here. What we need to do is start the investigation immediately," Captain Li said, and we temporarily left the forensic department.
Captain Li had already used basic methods like checking surveillance and finding relatives. I knew he hadn't reached a conclusion, otherwise Director Huang wouldn't have come to us.
Liu Yuning conducted a psychological profile at the scene: "The killer specifically targets children of similar age and leaves infant handprints on their chests. These details indicate that the person has a hostile psychology towards children. If I'm not mistaken, he must have been abused by someone around the age of 10."
"This situation is a bit like a previous case, do you remember that person?"
I didn't mention the person's name, but everyone knew. I let everyone rest for a while. Director Huang had already arranged lodging for us nearby.
We were most familiar with the environment of Fuming City, and we had stayed in this area before. After allocating rooms, Director Huang told us that there would be a case discussion meeting tomorrow morning and asked us to attend on time. I agreed and bid him farewell.
Back in the room, Liu Yuning lay on the bed with her eyes closed, completely relaxed. I came to the bedside and sat down, "Wife, are you tired?"
"...Why are you suddenly calling me that?"
"Didn't I propose to you before? You said yes."
"Uh, you're bringing that up again. If it weren't for that, there probably wouldn't be a case."
"That was just a coincidence. How could my proposal cause a case?"
We sat close together, recalling the previous situation. It was last time at the provincial department, after we had just solved a case and returned to the office. While Liu Yuning was caught off guard, I suddenly knelt down in front of everyone, took out the ring I had bought with several months' salary, and presented it to her. At that moment, the surrounding colleagues gathered around and applauded us warmly.
However, you, Yuning, stared at me kneeling on the ground in a daze.
I suddenly brought out ninety-nine roses from behind you, along with the diamond ring, and the words "Marry me." At that moment, I saw you shed tears for the first time. It was a moving, beautiful moment, like a brilliant cut in a movie, time frozen there. I even felt Grandpa and Father were nearby. Yes, though they were gone, they were always protecting us in secret, watching us...
Liu Yuning suddenly hugged me, memories flooding back. She kissed me fiercely on the lips, "I know, aren't we too busy? After this case is over, we'll have the wedding."
"But what about your parents?"
"Don't worry, after the wedding, we'll go back!"
"Uh, this isn't good, you're going to act first and report later."
"It's okay, my parents' situation isn't that simple. If I tell them..."
Liu Yuning didn't finish her sentence. She hugged me tightly again and pushed me down beneath her, "No one will disturb us today, it's a good opportunity!"
She gently pressed her tender right index finger on my nose and breathed warmly on my face, a wave of warmth rippling through every inch of my skin. I felt as if all my pores were penetrated at once. The indescribable sensation made my entire body feel fused. A deep, inseparable psychological dependence developed between us. Years later, we would still remember this night.
A Midsummer Night's Dream. A typhoon was raging outside the window, swirling wantonly in the turbid air. The leaves outside were slapping against each other. Yet, late at night, a figure was not far from us. He had a burlap sack tied to his back. A short, strange man with a face that looked about fifty years old.
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