100: The motive behind the unexplained bone case
“Just now, Lao Huang and his team conducted a comparison and confirmed that it was indeed the primary crime scene. Comrades, what does this indicate?”
Team Leader Guan scanned his surroundings with an imposing gaze. “It indicates that as long as we are determined and put in the effort, we will definitely find clues. Look at Consultant Ye; he made such a significant discovery on his first visit to the scene. Tell me, you all, you’ve been there several times, so why didn’t anyone else discover it?”
Everyone remained silent. “Damn it, who has such a monstrous skill? He’s more sensitive than a dog’s nose; he can still smell blood after three years.”
However, those in criminal investigation tend to respect ability, and if someone has it, everyone acknowledges it.
Watching them all lower their heads in silence, Guan Hongyuan said earnestly, “Comrades, many aspects of this case are still unclear. We still have a lot of work to do. A little more diligence can save us a lot of detours. I hope everyone remembers this.”
“Alright, let’s get back to the case.”
“Xiao Peng, you tell everyone about the forensic and medical reports.” Guan Hongyuan pointed at Xiao Peng. As a leader, he had finished his speech; now it was time for his subordinates to speak.
Xiao Peng walked up with his notebook and began to read the report formally.
“According to the evidence report, nothing useful was found at the scene, including the primary crime scene we located today. No fingerprints were found on the murder weapon either.”
“Meanwhile, the Forensic Doctor has a relatively detailed report. Both victims were male, approximately 22 years old, and about 1.8 meters tall with robust physiques.”
“From the bones of the two victims, Victim A was stabbed in the chest, and Victim B was stabbed in the back. The chest wound was deeper, and the back wound was shallower.”
“Based on bloodstain comparisons at the scene, the bloodstains at the burial site and the primary scene match.”
Everyone showed an ‘as expected’ expression.
“Oh, and one more thing. Only Victim A’s bloodstains were found at the primary crime scene; Victim B’s bloodstains were not.”
After Xiao Peng finished speaking and returned to his seat, Guan Hongyuan continued, “Alright, everyone, let’s start discussing. Say whatever you think.”
Zhou Zhishen, being more senior, spoke first, “In my opinion, for the killer to murder two young men, each 1.8 meters tall, he must be male and incredibly strong.”
“I agree with that view. From the primary scene to the burial site, it’s over ten meters. A woman couldn’t possibly move them,” Xiao Peng said.
“What if several women killed them together?” a young police officer suddenly blurted out.
“Get lost! Why don’t you just say it was one strong woman?” Zhou Zhishen retorted.
“Hmm, several women killing them together is possible, but the probability is relatively small. So, I basically think the killer should be a male, very strong, and possibly trained. Of course, the possibility of a group crime is not zero,” Guan Hongyuan interjected, calming down their argument.
“Regarding identity, motive, and so on, what are everyone’s thoughts?”
“22 years old, they should be university students, right?”
“Yes, still in university. Both victims are male, so a crime of passion is unlikely. I think a revenge killing is more probable.”
“Could it be two gay men, and then…”
“Get lost, Xiao Xu! Can’t you think normally?”
A group of people chattered, discussing various possibilities, but nothing useful came out of it. There were all sorts of conjectures; later, someone even suggested they fought over a man or killed for a postgraduate recommendation quota. Ye Lin was truly amazed by their wild imaginations and wanted to say, “Why don’t you all go write novels? You’re so imaginative.”
“Consultant Ye, what are your thoughts?” Guan Hongyuan asked, seeing Ye Lin remain silent.
At this, everyone’s eyes turned to him, eager to hear what different perspective this newly appointed consultant, who had been so impressive today, might offer.
Ye Lin waved his hand, “Team Leader Guan, just call me Xiao Ye or Ye Lin. Please don’t call me Consultant; you’ll make the brothers laugh.”
“Haha, alright, I’ll listen to you. I’m a bit older, so I’ll call you Xiao Ye then,” Guan Hongyuan readily agreed.
Mainly, after a day, he found Ye Lin to be a good person. Although he was sent from higher up, he wasn’t arrogant, didn’t give arbitrary orders, and was capable. He could only say he admired him.
Ye Lin scratched his head and said somewhat shyly, “Actually, I’ve only been there once, so I really don’t have many thoughts. How about we wait until I’ve reviewed the materials, and then we can discuss it?”
“Xiao Ye is too modest.”
“Exactly, what are you afraid of? I even brought up gay men, haha.”
“You, stop talking. None of your ideas are normal.”
“You’re normal? Stealing academic degrees? Why not steal parking spots?”
A few people laughed and teased each other.
“Cough, cough!” Guan Hongyuan cleared his throat a few times, and everyone immediately quieted down. “Since no one else has any other ideas, let’s adjourn the meeting for now.”
After the meeting, Guan Hongyuan specifically told Ye Lin that he didn’t need to work overtime that night and should go home to rest and come back tomorrow. After all, Ye Lin was sent from higher up, so he still had to be considerate.
Ye Lin was also happy to have some free time. After all, with a cold case like this, the most important initial steps were interviews and organizingmaterial, and his presence would simply mean an extra pair of hands.
By the time he left the police station, the streetlights were already beginning to glow.
Ye Lin walked along the road, bored, his mind constantly pondering the possibilities of the case. He had three points of confusion.
The first point was why two people were killed simultaneously.
It’s known that killing one person can be done by surprise, but killing two people means that you will most likely have to confront one person directly and be able to kill him. This is much more difficult than luring two people out separately and killing them.
So, the killer must have had some special reason to lure both people out together and kill them at the same time.
The second point was the motive. Generally speaking, young male victims are not common, unless they are involved in gangs. Most victims are young women, harmed due to emotional issues, lust, or other reasons.
A man, without the element of lust, is difficult to deal with and not a good target for financial gain.
Therefore, generally speaking, the probability of a male being a victim is lower, unless these two were outsiders, gang members who were killed in a fight and then buried at the school.
The third point was the victims’ identities. Although it’s highly probable they were students, student disappearances are a big deal, and if two disappeared together, rumors would surely spread throughout the school, perhaps even becoming a strange legend among students.
However, based on the current investigation, there are no missing students.
Could these really be outsiders?
Killed by someone, then moved to the school’s small grove, placed for a while at what he discovered to be the primary crime scene, and then buried?