It's unclear if the substance above would adhere. Although the car and its contents were submerged, current technology can still restore fingerprints and extract DNA. This year, China has made a significant leap in both forensic and aviation technology, demonstrating the nation's growing strength, which has also led to a gradual improvement in the situation across the Taiwan Strait.
After thoroughly examining the car and finding everything discoverable, we were about to pack up when something suddenly floated ashore by the lake.
As we witnessed it, an officer exclaimed, "It's Song Wantong's body!"
Everyone immediately became vigilant. We had initially thought Huang Yuancai wouldn't dispose of a body here, but it seems we overestimated him. He must have submerged Song Wantong in the lake when he abandoned the vehicle.
We carefully brought the body ashore. I once again employed the same technique as before, as I discovered this corpse was completely devoid of blood! Her skin was exceptionally pale, and pressing it revealed no trace of blood. Due to prolonged submersion, signs of bloat were already apparent. Her entire body was severely swollen: her face was enlarged, her eyeballs protruded, her lips were swollen and everted, her tongue extended, her chest and abdomen were distended, her abdominal wall was taut, her limbs were thickened, and her scrotum was enlarged into a spherical shape, with the skin exhibiting a greenish-brown hue.
Ancient texts from my ancestor He Shenlong's lineage describe individuals with advanced decomposition as having swollen surfaces, protruding eyeballs, everted lips, and exposed tongues. This description aligns with the current state. This phenomenon is so horrifying that forensic pathologists usually avoid discussing it, but I was unusually excited. It had been many years since I encountered such a body.
I admit I have a somewhat morbid nature; my interest in corpses and cases surpasses my interest in living people or happy events. However, it is precisely this peculiarity that has led to my current achievements. Another individual who shared my fascination with this bloated corpse was Zhang Keying.
Like discoverers of new worlds, we examined it with our tools. Under the alkaline solution and brush technique, we found two enormous black holes on the victim's neck, identical to those on Coach Huang's body; the wounds had completely penetrated the neck. Similarly, there was no blood on the body. As she was submerged this time, I am temporarily unsure if the water had also disappeared from the victim's body.
"Keying, you'll need to thoroughly examine this later."
"Yes. Alas, what is this all about? Another victim like this. How did the killer possibly remove the blood from the bodies?"
At this point, a young female officer chimed in, "Could it really be... a vampire?"
Upon hearing this, I stood up in anger and scanned the surroundings, shouting, "Who just said that? Come out!"
"Was it you? Was it you! Xiao Guo! Xiao Li! Xiao Wang!"
Several officers nearby lowered their heads, avoiding my gaze. I didn't intend to pursue it but reprimanded them, "We are police officers, understand? If I hear anyone speaking such nonsense here again, that person is fired immediately!"
This was the first time they had ever seen me so enraged, and they dared not utter another word. Everyone quietly returned to their duties. After the body was transported away, I asked Keying and Xie Chuchu to return with me.
Given the current situation, with another victim, the killer certainly wasn't Song Wantong, as she had been dead for a month. This killer, however, might not be Coach Huang, unless that guy...
Back in the forensic lab, I used a speculum to reopen Coach Huang's mouth, only to find his teeth were perfectly normal; they couldn't have caused the condition on Song Wantong's neck. I wondered if the killer appeared only after Coach Huang had disposed of the body. Then, their primary motive for attacking the corpse was to drain its blood. A month later, did this blood-drinking killer then target Coach Huang?
Committing murder at the racetrack is extremely risky; there are cameras everywhere. I had considered the staff at the time, but if they wanted to kill Coach Huang, they would have chosen a place outside, perhaps on a dark and windy night, which would have been more convenient. If they had acted at the racetrack, the police would have immediately suspected the racetrack staff. I quickly dismissed the possibility of an inside job by the staff.
Therefore, this person was determined to kill Coach Huang. They must have scouted the location, knowing Coach Huang would definitely be there that day, and devised a plan to deceive those around them, seize the opportunity to drain blood, kill him, and then escape. This individual is not only meticulous and extremely calm but also possesses exceptional psychological fortitude. Initially, they must have blended in as an audience member, quietly watching the horse race with us.
As the horse race concluded, during the most intense moments, they seized an opportunity when no one was paying attention to tamper with the air compressor. I had examined that area; it was near the restrooms, a place few people frequent. Moreover, completing this action would only take a few seconds.
Thinking this, I opened my eyes and picked up the scalpel I was holding. It was time for the corpse to reveal some useful clues!
"Song Wantong, if you have anything to tell us, please speak freely!" Zhang Keying and Xie Chuchu, along with the other forensic staff present, were astounded to see me speaking to a corpse.
However, I ignored their reactions and addressed Song Wantong in the refrigerated container, "I will treat your body very gently. Don't worry, I won't cause you any pain, and this process will only take some time. I believe it will all be over soon, and I will help you find the killer who caused your death."
Perhaps it was psychological, but at this moment, Song Wantong's eye twitched slowly, and then an almost imperceptible tear slid down from her eyelid. Everyone else present was deeply shocked by this sight. However, Zhang Keying remarked, "This might be the deceased's last conditioned reflex. I've seen similar phenomena in many medical studies. There was an old man who was exhumed years ago; when his grave was dug up, his hands were found covering his head. A subsequent autopsy revealed he had been murdered. The old man's posture was actually a post-mortem defensive action. This can also be referred to as the Hawthorne effect."