Chapter 19 [VIP] The Family Annihilation Mystery (3)

Chapter 19 [VIP] The Family Annihilation Mystery (3)

That night, all members of the second team gathered around the crime board, which was already covered with numerous pieces of information.

Meng Siqi observed carefully. The male victim, Zhu Gongyou, aged thirty-eight, was the financial manager of Qiankun Steel Company; the female victim, You Meihua, a housewife, aged thirty-seven; and their daughter, Zhu Xinting, a student at Jingyang No. 2 High School, only fourteen years old.

Looking at Zhu Xinting's cute and beautiful photo, Meng Siqi felt a deep sense of sorrow in her heart.

Tang Xiaochuan continued to introduce the current basic investigation situation.

Based on the wound analysis, the forensic doctor determined that the weapon used was approximately 13 centimeters long and 3 centimeters wide, a single-edged blade. However, the weapon was not found at the scene.

The fatal injury to the male victim, Zhu Gongyou, was in his chest, causing organ rupture and massive bleeding; the female victim, You Meihua, had her throat slit, leading to blood inhalation into her trachea and lungs, resulting in asphyxiation; and the victim Zhu Xinting had her carotid artery punctured, leading to hypovolemic shock and death.

According to the trace evidence, the murderer likely killed Zhu Gongyou in the living room, then sneaked into the master bedroom to kill You Meihua, and finally rushed into the bathroom to kill Zhu Xinting.

Tang Xiaochuan added that according to the scene traces, the television was probably on that night, and the murderer turned it off when leaving, leaving bloodstains on the power button.

Combining Feng's investigation, there were renovations nearby around eight o'clock in the evening, with loud noises from both the television and construction, so no one noticed the murder taking place.

"Hold on," Han Changlin said while looking at the autopsy report, "there was a nail driven into the top of the male victim's skull?"

Tang Xiaochuan replied, "Yes, the forensic examination revealed a five-centimeter-long iron nail. But it was inserted post-mortem."

Why would the murderer do this? Everyone looked puzzled, though some murderers might have strange fetishes due to psychological distortions caused by hatred.

Han Changlin asked, "Could this nail be a clue?"

Tang Xiaochuan answered, "Captain Han, it's a very ordinary furniture nail, somewhat rusted. It will likely be difficult to find clues from hardware stores."

Han Changlin questioned further, "Why did the murderer do this?" Clearly, he was referring not just to the nail in the male victim's skull but also to the tongue-cutting of the female victim and the skin-frying of the girl.

Everyone pondered silently for a moment. Tang Xiaochuan said, "My first thought is revenge. The murderer might want to torture the victims, even if they are already dead."

"Not entirely correct," Zhao Leiting shook his head and said, "I've seen some foreign movies where killers use special methods to make a statement. Like Jack the Ripper, who was even made into a movie in 1988." His eyes sparkled as he sought approval from everyone.

Actually, Meng Siqi didn't enjoy such movies, so when Zhao Leiting looked at her, she pursed her lips in response.

Zhao Leiting's theory wasn't impossible, so everyone entered a new phase of contemplation.

"Actually, I lean towards combining your two views," Feng Shaomin suddenly said.

Feeling validated, Zhao Leiting licked his lips and stared intently at Feng Shaomin.

Feng Shaomin continued, "The murderer might have killed out of revenge or other motives like money or profit. But after killing, he deliberately created confusion through strange behaviors to mislead the police. However, it's also possible that the murderer enjoys unconventional pleasures, indicating a certain psychological distortion."

After Feng Shaomin finished speaking, everyone nodded silently. This analysis seemed more comprehensive, at least for now, without any new clues to support the significance of the murderer's actions.

Han Changlin signaled to continue.

Tang Xiaochuan displayed a diagram with three simplified figures representing the three crime scenes.

He explained that based on the simulation of the struggle between the murderer and the male victim, and the positions of the wounds inflicted on the three victims, the murderer was confirmed to be a single male, approximately 170 to 175 centimeters tall.

Han Changlin asked, "No fingerprints were found at the scene, suggesting the murderer took precautions. But why no footprints? Has anyone considered this?"

Meng Siqi recalled that she and Zhao Leiting had observed the entrance area when they visited the scene. Some families have shoe cover cabinets for guests to change into covers, preventing footprints, but this family clearly didn't have that habit.

Seeing her silent, Zhao Leiting proactively mentioned this discovery.

Feng Shaomin followed up, "The murderer might have treated his shoes before entering or cleaned the floor afterward. But given the bloodstains, cleaning afterward would be difficult. So I lean towards the murderer preparing beforehand. Considering the intact windows and doors, the murderer could be someone with a special occupation, like a gas delivery worker or water delivery worker, wearing shoe covers."

This seemed like an important clue. If the murderer used such an identity, it would be easier to track him down.

"Unfortunately," Feng Shaomin added, "the gas cylinder and drinking water at the victims' home weren't recently replaced. There's no evidence of recent replacements. However, we should still investigate the possibility of the murderer using a similar occupation to conceal his identity. Of course, it's also possible the murderer was someone familiar to the victims."

Everyone nodded. Feng Shaomin's analysis covered most of the details, guiding the investigation direction.

Han Changlin nodded and said, "Feng's observation is thorough. By the way, Chuan, tell us about today's investigations."

A clear clue pointed to Zhu Gongyou's company, Qiankun Steel, because three months ago, the financial office caught fire, likely connected to the family annihilation.

Tang Xiaochuan quickly referred to his notebook, "Earlier this year, a batch of steel worth at least seventy to eighty thousand yuan went missing from the open-air warehouse. It has never been recovered. A month later, the financial office caught fire. Both Feng and I suspect a connection."

Han Changlin asked, "Why wasn't the theft reported?"

Feng Shaomin replied, "Perhaps the steel was obtained illegally or someone didn't want to report it."

Everyone fell silent, their eyes scanning the crime board again. Han Changlin, habitually pinching his lower lip with his thumb and index finger, raised his head, "Assuming Zhu Gongyou was involved in these incidents, someone might have killed him to cover up the theft and destroy evidence."

Feng Shaomin's gaze darkened, "Captain Han, I share this suspicion, but it's hard to establish a direct link between Zhu Gongyou and these events. With him dead, all evidence related to him in the financial office seems to have been destroyed."

"Not impossible," Han Changlin's eyes flashed with the experience of an old detective, "Who is responsible for the steel storage and release?"

Tang Xiaochuan, looking at his notebook, responded, "Captain Han, today we identified two suspects. Ma Changgui, the sales department head, signs off on the steel release, and Hu Gang, the warehouse manager, oversees the storage. They are relatives, with Hu Gang being Ma Changgui's nephew, introduced to the company by Ma Changgui two years ago."

It seemed there was indeed something fishy here. Everyone's thoughts coalesced, each contemplating the case's details.

Meng Siqi hadn't participated in the company's investigation today, so she listened closely, sensing a connection between these two individuals and Zhu Gongyou's murder.

Zhao Leiting almost declared, "If Zhu Gongyou's colleague visited that night, the family wouldn't have been on guard, right."

Han Changlin picked up a chalk and circled Ma Changgui and Hu Gang's names on the crime board, "Bring these two in tomorrow for separate interrogations. I don't believe their stories will align perfectly."

The next day, Ma Changgui and Hu Gang were brought to the police station. Before entering the interrogation room, Meng Siqi glanced at them. Ma Changgui, in his forties, balding, slightly overweight, and around 170 centimeters tall, appeared calm and had a leadership demeanor.

Hu Gang, under thirty, stood at least 175 centimeters tall, muscular, with a slightly furrowed brow, seeming somewhat nervous.

Han Changlin suddenly changed his mind, "Feng, switch roles. You and Chuan interrogate Ma Changgui. I doubt much can be extracted from him. I'll handle Hu Gang..."

Feng said, "Don’t worry, Captain Han. Even if their stories are perfectly aligned, we have ways to pry them open."

Just as Han Changlin had guessed, Ma Changgui was as slippery and confident as a polished stone when questioned: "I think there’s no need to talk about the missing steel, since our company didn’t even report it. Let’s just consider it a loss for peace of mind."

Feng Shaomin said coldly, "Ma Changgui, we didn’t just bring you here about the steel. On the night Comrade Zhu was killed, which was two nights ago around eight o'clock, where were you?"

"Comrade Zhu?" Ma Changgui sneered. "Are you sure there’s no mistake? What does Comrade Zhu’s death have to do with me?"

During the subsequent interrogation, Ma Changgui remained tight-lipped, not giving away any useful information.

Feng Shaomin couldn’t find any slip-ups in his answers. Ma Changgui smiled, "Comrade, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way."

"Hold on! Wait for our captain’s word," Feng Shaomin had to stall, waiting for the results from the adjacent room.

"Alright, do you have a cigarette?" Ma Changgui asked.

"Chuan, give Director Ma a cigarette."

In the adjacent room, Hu Gang’s interrogation was proceeding intensely.

Han Changlin seemed to believe that Hu Gang would be a good breakthrough. Meng Siqi and Zhao Leiting joined the interrogation, with Meng Siqi taking notes as usual.

Hu Gang sat across the table, looking somewhat heavy-hearted. However, he took a few deep breaths, seemingly adjusting himself, and his demeanor became more natural compared to when he first entered.

"Hu Gang, do you know why we brought you here?" Zhao Leiting asked sternly.

"Isn’t it about the missing steel? Comrade police officer, I really don’t know anything about it."

"Do you really know nothing? Confess now, and it will be easier on you." Zhao Leiting’s tone hardened slightly.

Facing Zhao Leiting’s questioning, Hu Gang gave a detailed response: "Those steel materials were indeed under my watch, but they were of average quality, and the company didn’t take them seriously. Besides, they’re so heavy that only someone with a truck could steal them, which would be too obvious. Moreover, such a large quantity wouldn’t have any buyers willing to take them, so we weren’t worried about theft. So, I just pretended to guard them. That night, I was playing cards outside, and there are witnesses. The next morning, around eight, when I returned to the warehouse, I found the steel missing."

Although he appeared nervous, Hu Gang answered fluently, as if he had rehearsed his lines beforehand.

Following the prepared procedure, Zhao Leiting asked, "Hu Gang, on the night of the incident, around eight o'clock, where were you?"

As soon as the question was asked, Hu Gang became visibly agitated, his lips turning pale. "I didn’t kill anyone; Comrade Zhu’s death has nothing to do with me!"

Meng Siqi was puzzled by Hu Gang’s agitation upon mentioning Comrade Zhu, noticing the suspicion on Han Changlin’s face.

Zhao Leiting asked, "Hu Gang, think carefully. Where were you that night?"

Finally, a hint of panic showed in Hu Gang’s eyes, and his head began to shake uncontrollably. "I didn’t kill anyone; Comrade Zhu wasn’t killed by me. That night, I never went near his place... I should have been playing cards, and there are witnesses..."

He stubbornly insisted that he was playing cards that night, and Zhao Leiting’s questioning hit a wall.

At that moment, the door opened slightly, and Feng Shaomin peeked in. "Captain Han, sorry to interrupt, but Ma Changgui is done. He’s given all his statements."

Han Changlin nodded in acknowledgment.

Feng Shaomin closed the door, and the air in the interrogation room felt stifling and oppressive. Meng Siqi noticed that Feng Shaomin’s words made Hu Gang increasingly uneasy, his head shaking slightly and his hands twisting together.

"Hu Gang!" Han Changlin suddenly barked, making Hu Gang jump in his seat.

Han Changlin pressed on, "You and Comrade Zhu conspired to sell a batch of the company’s steel privately. After dividing the proceeds, fearing discovery, you burned the sales invoices, leading to the arson case on July 12th."

"No, no..." Hu Gang frantically shook his head, denying everything.

"But you were more afraid that Comrade Zhu would expose your conspiracy, so you killed him and his family. We now have substantial evidence against you..."

"No, no," Hu Gang’s emotions broke down. "It was all Ma Changgui’s doing..."