Chapter 219 No Secret Is Airtight
Rong Chengcheng is restoring the metal rack to its original state, picking up each item according to its number label.
He wasn't surprised by the arrival of the pearl. He picked up a piece of metal marked 019, turned it over to the bottom of the pipe, and shone a bright flashlight on it: "Look inside."
At an extremely low angle, seemingly nestled in a corner where the lower edge of the iron frame meets the shadow, the amber pearl possessed a faint halo of light, distinct from the surrounding dust. At first glance, it resembled wrinkles in unevenly applied paint.
"Half a fingerprint thread, at the right angle between the vertical surface and the bottom beam." Chen Zhenzhu said excitedly, "Although only the central pattern and the triangular area remain, the number and quality of the feature points meet the identification standards... Did you find it? Forensic Doctor Rong is indeed amazing."
Rong Chengcheng put down the metal frame, took off his glasses and wiped them, revealing his handsome face. He said casually, "It's not difficult. I hope it will help you solve the case."
They had all heard that the Bureau of Slaughter was involved in the case, and that it was said to have a significant impact. News media continued to report on the circumstances of "Chen Bufan's" death, and even folk tales of ghosts and spirits emerged, making it a typical urban supernatural tale.
Furthermore, people in the entertainment industry are superstitious about this, and a group of them even went abroad to worship gods and Buddhas, causing a great uproar among fans and the public.
The case from twenty years ago suddenly fell on Shen Zhenzhu's shoulders, and the pressure she faced was immense.
"It's so much fun doing professional things with professionals. Come over to my house for dinner sometime." Chen Zhenzhu patted Rong Chengcheng and peeked in, asking, "Where is it?"
Rong Chengcheng pointed in a direction and said, "Over there, there's a rare and exquisitely crafted 'mummy remains.' Section Chief Qin is giving a lecture; it should be almost over."
Shen Zhenzhu walked to the door and said, "I'll go take a look. See you later."
Rong Chengcheng nodded and said, "See you later."
The adjacent forensic conference room was packed with both seasoned and new forensic pathologists, their eyes either clear or bewildered. On Section Chief Qin's desk were three rolls of film, and people were constantly taking pictures.
Section Chief Qin had finished his lecture and, carrying his thermos, passed by Chen Zhenzhu, saying with lingering interest, "The technique for making mummies is extremely skillful; he's a veteran. If I were to do it with a living person, I might not achieve such a beautiful result. It's a pity that he used his skills for crime."
“Once I catch them, you can spar with them,” Shen Zhenzhu said jokingly.
Section Chief Qin nodded, a hint of expectation in his eyes: "No problem, no problem."
After he left, Lu Xiaobao took "Chen Bufan" to a dry, temperature-controlled warehouse, and Shen Zhenzhu followed him inside.
Lu Xiaobao was used to this, so he said goodbye and left in a hurry.
Shen Zhenzhu leaned against the wall, observing "Chen Bufan," as the suspended Heavenly Eye Recall resumed—
The converted medium-sized cargo ship has a state-of-the-art "operating room," comparable to a top-tier hospital in China, but the windows are covered, and only the light from the operating lights is visible.
The bloodied corpses were disposed of, and the internal organs were continuously moved to another room. The crime, which should have ended there, was still going on.
A doctor with an Indian accent was talking to his assistant, who was securing "Chen Bufan's" body to a titanium alloy operating table for the next pretreatment step, namely, system irrigation to replace natural decomposition.
The empty "Chen Bufan" underwent repeated internal and external disinfection, not out of respect, but as part of a meticulous drying process to minimize microbial interference.
The attending physician was replaced, and a doctor with a curry accent stepped forward with his hands raised, followed by several people. They were completely absorbed, as if watching a captivating theatrical performance.
"Multiple incisions need to be made in the jugular vein, femoral vein, and femoral artery to clear the blood and administer chemicals."
Dr. Curry showed no remorse for a victim, treating "Chen Bufan's" corpse like an insignificant guinea pig in a science class.
The machine started, and the remaining blood in the body was completely extracted. Then, the injected chemical solution quickly flowed through the body's vascular network. Dark red blood then flowed from the venous incision, gradually turning light pink over time until the liquid became clear.
"In this way, the enzymes and bacteria in the tissue cells are completely eliminated, and the biological putrefaction process will no longer occur. The next step is dehydration, which involves injecting a dehydrating agent, causing the body tissue to stiffen and shrink." Dr. Curry shrugged and said jokingly, "If the Egyptians had this technology, they wouldn't have had to hollow out the pyramids; they would have become rich long ago."
The hollow shell of the body cavity reduces workload and prevents internal decay. The air conditioning in the cabin starts operating, maintaining a certain high temperature and dryness.
“Excellent products can be sold even after the internal organs are gone; nothing is wasted.” Dr. Curry inserted a support and desiccant into the chest cavity, then used a humidity needle to insert into “Chen Bufan’s” mouth, chest cavity, and deep muscle groups…
The process of turning a lively, healthy person into a mummy is not something everyone enjoys.
Behind him, some people couldn't stand anymore, experiencing continuous vomiting and discomfort. Even those who had been working for more than ten hours couldn't withstand the high temperature and had to be carried away due to heatstroke.
Curry Doctor enthusiastically held a fan and blew it around "Chen Bufan" to reduce the humidity around his body.
Come back in three days.
Time passed second by second...
Dr. Curry reappeared, watching with a cheer as "Chen Bufan's" dark brown skin clung tightly to his bones, like a brand-new "mummy."
"Look at it, it's truly a work of art. Oh, and before finally putting it on the metal frame, several coats of polymer protective varnish need to be applied to resist the moisture in the air. There are also some rough surfaces that need to be finely polished so that our discerning customers will be satisfied."
He waved his hand, and a group of doctors, reeking of curry, rushed over—some painting, some abrading skin, and others supporting metal frames to forcefully penetrate the skin.
"Be careful, don't damage our money tree, our customer is here." Dr. Curry said, and two people came over and surrounded "Chen Bufan".
“Your nails also need to be trimmed neatly,” Dr. Curry kept nagging.
The young doctor, who was being ordered around, was somewhat frightened. His hands trembled and he almost knocked over the metal frame, which then fell onto "Chen Bufan's" face.
One of the customers, a short man, quickly reached out and caught the metal frame.
Dr. Curry yelled, "Watch out, you bunch of useless trash!"
Another customer leaning against the door seemed unable to stand the dry environment, sneezing several times in a row. He then took out a handkerchief, pinched his nose, and neatly folded it up before putting it in his pocket.
The short customer put down the metal rack, took out a tissue to wipe the liquid sticking to his hands, and said with a disgusted expression, "Don't leave my fingerprints on it."
Dr. Curry said, "I assure you, my assistants will clean it up thoroughly."
The short customer tossed down a bag filled with clothes he needed to wear, saying, "Tonight's transaction, as you said, is all cash."
Seeing this, Dr. Curry nodded and said, "That's wonderful, ma'am. Please rest assured. It's guaranteed to stay fresh and odorless for a hundred years. This is the most advanced and perfect achievement, just like the lovely freckles on your face."
Huang Dan took off his mask, fanned himself, and said, "If it breaks, I'll blow up your ship."
The chilling acts, the evil cloaked in the guise of science and art, were carried out on a grand scale beneath the waves, ultimately resulting in the appearance of a mummified specimen of "Chen Bufan," a man who defied the laws of nature and bore the burden of his sinful deeds.
......
......
It was her?
Just a few hours earlier, Shen Zhenzhu had seen Huang Dan and Jiang Luchao arguing on the badminton court.
If I hadn't gone to the film set and stumbled upon it by chance, it would have been like searching for a needle in a haystack.
"Sister Pearl, you're still here?" Zhao Qiqi, who had run errands to find him, stood at the door and said regretfully, "We've run through the fingerprint database, but it's not in the database. How could such a vicious criminal not have a criminal record?"
Shen Zhenzhu walked out quickly: "It doesn't matter if there are no clues. Investigate Jiang Luchao's circle again. He and Chen Bufan are rivals in love, and he also admitted to introducing human smugglers to Chen Bufan. There's not enough time for surveillance alone, so investigate the people around him directly. Including his friends, business partners, and even his lovers and suitors."
Zhao Qiqi turned and ran, but Shen Zhenzhu called after him, saying, "There are still accounts of financial transactions. Tell Brother Xizi... Never mind, I'll tell him myself."
Shen Zhenzhu and Zhao Qiqi ran back one after the other. Gu Yanzheng was still focused on deciphering the combination of letters and numbers. He looked up and said, "It also looks like a name and birthday. It's very likely, just like you guessed, to be an account's username or password. By the way, did you know about the fingerprint?"
Shen Zhenzhu, holding the microphone, said, "I understand. Now we need to gather Jiang Luchao's social connections and collect fingerprints one by one for verification."
Gu Yanzheng said, "The Huang Dan I met today didn't seem like a suitor. There was no love in her eyes for him. Instead, she had a malicious look in her eyes."
"I feel the same way."
Gu Yanzheng's professional sensitivity impressed Shen Zhenzhu, who thought he might be born to be an excellent criminal investigator.
He also has a good eye for finding a partner, hehe.
However, a woman as capable, ambitious, respectful to the elderly and kind to the young, and who eats heartily, can be seen as good as herself, as long as she is not blind.
......
Police cars are seen entering and exiting the Victoria villa community.
Reporters who were staking out the area around the residential compound managed to capture a photo of Gong Qi sitting in a car.
The flashes at this moment were both dazzling and annoying.
Gong Qi, wearing oversized sunglasses and with a dark expression, became the headline entertainment photo the next day.
Meanwhile, in another residential area, Jiang Luchao, who was furtively searching for someone, and a wealthy woman were "invited" back to the criminal investigation team by the police who were following them.
"Why should I be the prime suspect? If word gets out, I'll be finished!" Jiang Luchao, wearing a cotton jacket and sporting a slicked-back hairstyle, kept glancing at the rich woman: "Sister, help me, I'm driven to the brink of despair."
The wealthy woman, implicated by him, got into another police car and said indignantly, "If you're not feeling well, just take your medicine. Making yourself feel so indecisive is worse than hiring a gigolo. Men get weak-willed as they get older, except for their stubbornness!"
Jiang Luchao was utterly humiliated. Sitting in the police car, he cried out, "Sister, sister! I know you have connections. Help me find that big brother. For the sake of our past relationship, please save me!"
"What feelings could there have been in the past? It was all my money." The rich woman politely said to the female officer, "Comrade, could you please close the window? The wild ducks are making me dizzy."
......
Huang Dan was in the trading company when the sudden arrival of the police surprised her.
"Why should I go with you?" Huang Dan argued.
"Manager Huang, we are conducting a routine inquiry. Please come with us. This is a suspected criminal case, and it's part of the normal procedure. Please cooperate," an officer said.
"Okay, don't take too long, my supplier is waiting to have dinner with us." Huang Dan realized she had to go, so she walked out of the manager's office and got into the police car.
Upon arriving at the Criminal Investigation Brigade, Jiang Luchao was used as a breakthrough point by Shen Zhenzhu. What seemed like a fingerprint search was like looking for a needle in a haystack to others, but in reality, they already had a target—Huang Dan.
Shen Zhenzhu asked Huang Dan a few simple questions, took Huang Dan's business card, glanced at it, and put it in her pocket, saying, "Gong Qi said you and Jiang Luchao have a romantic relationship. Do you admit it?"
Huang Dan lowered her eyes and said calmly, "Oh, he is my idol. I have been pursuing him for many years."
Shen Zhenzhu looked at her with surprise, feeling that her words were not sincere: "You followed and harassed me?"
Huang Dan forced a smile, the freckles on her face adding a touch of color to her mature features, a reminder of the passing of youth: "Yes."
Seeing that she wasn't telling the truth, Chen Zhenzhu asked again, "What do you like about him? Are you seeing several women at the same time?"
Huang Dan said, "Women don't love men who aren't a little bad."
Seeing that she wasn't telling the truth, Shen Zhenzhu didn't waste any more time and walked out with the business card bearing her fingerprints.
“Run Huang Dan’s fingerprints beforehand.” Shen Zhenzhu handed the document to Zhou Chuanxi and said, “This person is dishonest and is hiding something.”
Knowing that Shen Zhenzhu had a thorough understanding of criminal psychology, Zhou Chuanxi didn't think too much about it, carefully took the business card, and put it back.
An hour later, everyone else who had been invited had left. Gong Qi, Jiang Luchao, and Huang Dan remained at the Criminal Investigation Brigade.
"We found that Huang Dan's trading company has international business dealings, and the shipping logistics are handled through the Lukou Freight Terminal." Zhao Qiqi handed the faxed materials to Chen Zhenzhu's desk: "I had someone check the trading company's accounts, and the cash flow looks normal, with both domestic and international expenditures and income."
Shen Zhenzhu took the faxed materials and looked at them carefully. After flipping through a few pages, she said, "There are also payments to an international foundation. There are large sums of money paid to them almost every month. You can look into this Van Gogh Foundation."
Zhao Qiqi turned on the computer, searched online, and said in confusion, "Sister Pearl, why can't I find any information about this foundation?"
Shen Zhenzhu walked over, stood by the computer, took the mouse and clicked. The information on the page was all about other foundations, not the Van Gogh Foundation.
Zhao Qiqi said, "Money laundering?"
Shen Zhenzhu said, "There are only outflows but no inflows. What about her personal account?"
Zhao Qiqi said, "It seems normal that there are only a few thousand yuan of salary savings in my personal account."
"Sister Pearl, Huang Dan is asking to leave the meeting room." An agent standing by the door of Team Four knocked on the door and said, "She said the business is EOD today, and if it's delayed, she will file a complaint against us."
Shen Zhenzhu said, "'EOD'? She really said that?"
Zhao Qiqi asked, "What do you mean?"
Shen Zhenzhu said, "It means 'deadline today'."
Zhao Qiqi said, bewildered, "Why don't you speak proper Chinese? Why are you using a foreign accent? I can't understand a word you say."
After a few seconds of hesitation, Chen Zhenzhu had a bad feeling: "Is there anyone still at the trading company?"
Zhao Qiqi said, "I kept two."
Shen Zhenzhu said, "Have them bring over Huang Dan's usual work documents; I want to check them."
Although Zhao Qiqi didn't understand, she immediately picked up the phone to notify them.
The operative's urgent voice came from outside again: "What about Huang Dan?"
Just then, Zhou Chuanxi ran up the stairs, panting, holding up a fingerprint report and said, "Sister Pearl, we've stumbled upon a lucky find!"
Zhao Qiqi covered the microphone to defend Chen Zhenzhu, saying, "Speak properly, Sister Zhenzhu has excellent eyesight."
Zhou Chuanxi handed the fingerprint report to Shen Zhenzhu and said, "Half a fingerprint has been successfully verified. Guess what?"
Shen Zhenzhu asked, "Is it made of cinnabar?"
Zhou Chuanxi slammed his fist on the table: "It's hers! Isn't that a coincidence? A twenty-year-old case, you just randomly checked a few fingerprints and found the murderer. God bless my Pearl sister!"
Gu Yanzheng, who had been making phone calls outside, was almost picking up a curry accent from the conversation. He walked in, clapped his hands, and everyone's eyes turned to him.
“Indeed, God blesses Sister Pearl.” Gu Yanzheng raised his mobile phone and said, “The Indian Human Specimen Company called. They couldn’t find any information about the sale of mummified specimens last time. They specifically notified us that they’ve traced back to a case twenty years ago where a black market doctor collaborated with a private hospital to illegally traffic human organs. The doctor was arrested near international waters ten years ago. The boat used for the medical practice has long been dismantled. It involves the murder of more than 300 people, mostly Indians, but the bodies are all missing. Perhaps they were sold using fake serial numbers and fake import documents made under their company’s name.”
Zhao Qiqi's mouth dropped open in disbelief. "After selling human organs, they even make specimens of the bodies to make more money? Are these people devils who sell their souls for money?"
Gu Yanzheng said, "Some are used as inexpensive medical items, some are made into mummies to keep their relatives company forever because they can't bear to see them go. Others are due to some kind of collecting hobby or simply for some perverse purpose."
“Brother Zheng is right. Now that the fingerprints have been traced back to Huang Dan, she must be involved in all of this,” Shen Zhenzhu said.
Gu Yanzheng nodded and said, "It's up to you, Captain Chen. I'll communicate with the brigade headquarters again later."
Half an hour later.
The items in Huang Dan's office were moved to the fourth team's office.
Shen Zhenzhu and the others gathered on the ground to examine the documents she had handled.
"Looks like the company's business isn't doing too well." Zhao Qiqi flipped through the pages for a while: "They deal in import and export medical devices. Hey, how come they're doing business with Jiang Luchao's company? Does an entertainment company need medical devices? Pearl, look."
Shen Zhenzhu leaned closer to take a look and asked, "Has anyone checked Huang Dan Company's warehouse?"
Zhao Qiqi patted her chest and said, "Of course I arranged it, but all five warehouses are empty, without any goods. I don't know how she does business."
“Check Jiang Luchao’s company accounts again and see what they’re up to,” Shen Zhenzhu said. “Both companies are the same. Almost all the money Jiang Luchao’s company earns is transferred to Huang Dan’s company every month, and Huang Dan’s company then transfers it to the Van Gogh Foundation every month. The company accounts look very busy, but in reality, there is no money. They are shell companies.”
Zhao Qiqi was eager to leave, and stood up, saying, "Just you wait and see."
Gu Yanzheng stacked the checked documents on the coffee table and reached out to help Chen Zhenzhu up: "Are your legs numb?"
Shen Zhenzhu remained motionless for a while. Gu Yanzheng looked down at her and asked, "What did you find?"
Shen Zhenzhu pointed to the letters on the document and said, "Is 'A priori' Latin?"
Gu Yanzheng said, "That's right."
He took the document, read through the pages of English notes, and said, "This is a routine report. According to the following content, it should be filled in with the English word 'Standard Procedure' to represent the standard procedure, but she mistakenly wrote it in Latin."
Shen Zhenzhu put her arm around Gu Yanzheng's shoulder and stood up, rubbing her legs as she said, "I'll go interrogate her."
Gu Yanzheng said, "According to the standard procedures of criminal interrogation, I, as a logistics staff member, cannot participate. I hope your good luck continues."
With her legs stiff, Shen Zhenzhu limped to the door, smiled, and said, "Of course, I'm a very lucky person."
Gu Yanzheng reminded him, "We underwent training before joining the public security front, do you remember?"
Shen Zhenzhu waved her hand: "I can't forget."
Upon entering the Major Crimes Unit's interrogation room, Huang Dan, wearing a yellow vest, continued to speak rudely.
"How long are you going to detain me? This has nothing to do with me. Why should I bear the consequences of the trouble caused by Jiang Luchao?" Although Huang Dan appeared very angry, there was no burning anger in her eyes.
This person is truly a master of deception.
Chen Zhenzhu sat in her seat, her fingers interlaced on the table, with an air of 'I know everything': 'Huang Dan, the net of heaven is vast, yet nothing escapes it. You should have known what the outcome would be by sitting here today.'
Huang Dan stared intently at Chen Zhenzhu, observing her expression inch by inch, as if for a moment the interrogator and the suspect had switched places.
She gave a short laugh: "Trying to fool me."
Chen Zhenzhu's expression remained unchanged as she calmly said, "You really think I'm bluffing you?"
Huang Dan maintained her confident smile, her freckles resembling unfolding flower stamens: "I know who you are, the famous Shen Zhenzhu, the renowned Det."
“You seem to really like using English abbreviations. I found a lot of abbreviations for various departments in your office documents, and even for government agencies,” Shen Zhenzhu said.
Huang Dan's smile faded, and she observed Chen Zhenzhu's expression once more: "In business, we need to stay aligned with international standards. You know, trading companies do international trade. If you don't understand anything when others speak a little English, how can you make any money?"
“That’s right.” Chen Zhenzhu seemed convinced, tapped the table, and seemed to find it amusing: “May I ask you, where were you from April 11th to early May 1973?”
Huang Dan also found it amusing, and said with a smile, "Why don't you ask your parents what they were doing back then?"
Shen Zhenzhu nodded slightly: "It's been too long, so I really can't remember."
Shen Zhenzhu made a seemingly unrelated remark: "The sea breeze in Liancheng is quite strong. I wonder if you smelled the fishy smell or the smell of blood back then?"
“I don’t understand what you mean,” Huang Dan said.
Her expression was calm, and she remained remarkably composed during the criminal interrogation. However, a calculating glint could be seen in her eyes.
Huang Dan was calculating the trade-offs.
Shen Zhenzhu said, "The identity you provided is correct, but there are problems with the company's accounts. What kind of foundation is the Van Gogh Foundation? Can you tell me about it?"
Huang Dan said, "It's a foundation that helps marine shells."
Shen Zhenzhu shook her head: "What a perfunctory disguise. Has no one discovered your true identity for many years, and you've become complacent?"
“Perhaps you’ve discovered the truth. You police officers always have a kind of confidence that others find hard to understand. You don’t seem like you’re cut out for this line of work.” Huang Dan laughed again, seemingly finding the verbal sparring with Shen Zhenzhu interesting, and blurted out: “'sic parvis magna'.”
Shen Zhenzhu asked knowingly, "What does this mean? I don't understand English."
Huang Dan suddenly woke up, sat up straight, and deliberately shrugged her shoulders: "This is an English proverb, 'Greatness comes from small things.' Seashells may seem insignificant, but they actually have a great impact on the marine environment. I think your public security department should also keep up with international information in a timely manner."
Shen Zhenzhu suddenly realized, clapped her hands and said, "The elite education abroad is really extraordinary; they can even twist Latin into English."
"So you lied to me. You knew it was Latin. I thought you would keep targeting Jiang Luchao; he should be the prime suspect." Huang Dan realized she had fallen into a trap, calmly lowered her eyes, and sighed, "So you knew all along."
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Author's note: See you tomorrow, there's a red envelope coming! [Let me see!]
***
This chapter references "Forensic Medicine", "Anatomy", and online resources.
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