Chapter 54: Don't Haste
The early spring snow always carries a stubborn tenacity, falling intermittently, painting the rooftops of Qindao City with a variegated pattern. In the Criminal Investigation Team office, the heating was blazing, but it couldn't dispel the lingering dullness. Zhang Min had dark circles under her eyes, the bruises even more striking than her eyeliner. She slammed a stack of CDs onto the table. "Captain Yu, we've checked all the security cameras at the mall entrances and exits, and there's no sign of Sun Yong." Her voice was hoarse as if rubbed with sandpaper, and each word was laced with undisguised fatigue. "We even checked the security cameras in the three surrounding streets, from convenience stores to bus stops, frame by frame, and we couldn't find him anywhere." Yu Hao, smoking by the window, heard this, and the ash from his fingertips fell to the floor. He turned, his brows knitted into a frown. These past few days, they'd been like clockwork. Zhang Min and the technical staff had stayed up three all-nighters in the surveillance room, their eyes red as rabbits. But the result was like a stone dropped into a deep pool, not even a ripple was created. "Could we be mistaken?" Liu Kai leaned over, fingers darting across the keyboard, pulling up Sun Yong's photo. "Could he have changed his clothes? Maybe a suit or something, so we wouldn't recognize him? Or... a hat or a mask?" "No." Zhang Min shook her head decisively. She clicked on a folder filled with densely packed feature analysis charts. "We created a 3D model based on his height and physique. His shoulder width, stride length, and right-of-center weight when he walks—none of these can be changed. Even if he changes his clothes, his gait can't be hidden." She sighed, a hint of despair in her voice. "Unless he can become invisible." A deathly silence fell over the office. Yu Hao walked over to the desk and picked up the cigarette box, only to find it empty. Frustrated, he crumpled the box into a ball and tossed it precisely into the trash can with a muffled "whoosh." The investigation into Xiao Yan's car accident was intended to be a key step in verifying Sun Yong's motive for the murder. If Sun Yong truly attacked Xiao Yan out of jealousy or to protect Luo Xin, then his suspicion of murdering Wang Shun and Guo Zhong would be greatly increased. But now, even this clue has been broken, forcing Yu Hao to reevaluate his judgment—could their hypothetical motive have been wrong from the beginning? If Sun Yong wasn't the murderer, then where could the real killer be hiding? Just then, the office door slammed open, and Lu Chao burst in. He still smelled of the dust from the long-distance bus, his army green jacket stained with mud, his hair matted to a mess...
The snow in early spring always comes with a stubborn tenacity, falling intermittently, painting the roofs of Qindao City with a mottled appearance.
In the criminal police team's office, the heating was turned on very high, but it couldn't dispel the dullness that permeated the air.
Zhang Min had dark circles under her eyes, the bruises even more striking than her eyeliner. She shoved a stack of CDs onto the table. "Captain Yu, we've checked all the entrance and exit security cameras at the mall, and there's no sign of Sun Yong."
Her voice was hoarse as if it had been rubbed with sandpaper, and every word was filled with undisguised fatigue. "We even checked the surveillance cameras on three surrounding streets, from convenience stores to bus stops, and compared every frame, but we couldn't find him anywhere."
Yu Hao was standing by the window smoking. When he heard this, the ash from his fingertips fell to the floor. He turned around, his brows knitted into a frown.
For the past few days, they've been like clockwork machines. Zhang Min and the technical staff have been working through three nights in the monitoring room, their eyes red as rabbits. But the result is like a stone dropped into a deep pool, not even a ripple has been stirred.
"Could we be seeing things?" Liu Kai leaned forward, fingers swiping across the keyboard, pulling up Sun Yong's photo. "Could he have changed his clothes? Like, a suit or something, so we wouldn't recognize him? Or... is he wearing a hat or a mask?"
"No," Zhang Min shook her head decisively. She clicked on a folder filled with densely packed feature analysis diagrams. "We created a 3D model based on his height and physique. His shoulder width, stride length, and tendency to shift his center of gravity to the right when he walk—none of these can be changed. Even if he changes his clothes, his gait won't be hidden." She sighed, a hint of despair in her voice, "Unless he can become invisible."
The office fell into deathly silence.
Yu Hao walked over to the table, picked up the cigarette box, and found it was empty. He angrily crumpled the cigarette box into a ball and threw it into the trash can with a precise "whoosh" sound.
The investigation into Xiao Yan's car accident was a key step in verifying Sun Yong's motive for murder. If Sun Yong really killed Xiao Yan out of jealousy or to protect Luo Xin, then his suspicion of killing Wang Shun and Guo Zhong would be greatly increased.
But now, this clue has also been broken, forcing Yu Hao to re-examine his own judgment - could their assumed motive have been wrong from the beginning? If Sun Yong is not the murderer, then where is the real murderer hiding?
Just then, the office door banged open, and Lu Chao burst in. He still smelled of the dust from the long-distance bus ride, his army green jacket stained with mud, and his hair matted to his forehead, a look that showed he was exhausted.
"Captain Yu, I'm back."
"How is it?" Yu Hao stood up immediately.
Lu Chao took off his coat and tossed it over the back of the chair. "Xiao Yan's condition isn't good. He's completely numb from the waist down. He's been lying in bed all day and can barely speak clearly."
He took the hot water Zhang Min handed him and gulped down half a cup. "His parents said that on New Year's Eve, when they picked him up from the hospital, he kept crying on the way home, saying that his life was ruined. He was only in his thirties and was a small leader in a large company with a promising future..."
"Did he say anything useful?" Sun Wei pushed her glasses.
"He said a few scattered things." Lu Chao pulled a recorder from his pocket and pressed play. Xiao Yan's muffled voice rang out, punctuated by a violent cough, as if his throat was clogged with phlegm: "... The light... was so bright... I couldn't see anything all of a sudden... and then I crashed into it... The driver... I paid over a hundred thousand yuan in compensation..."
Yu Hao frowned, and Lu Chao continued playing a recording. "Some time ago... in the alley... someone threw a flower pot at me... and tried to kill me... I called the police... but they said there was no surveillance... and they couldn't find anything..."
"Wait, what about the flowerpot he mentioned?" Yu Hao asked, frowning even more tightly.
"It happened about half a month ago." Lu Chao turned off the recording. "Let me tell you the story." He opened his notebook, which was filled with densely written words. "He was walking down an alley in the old city when a flower pot suddenly fell from the third floor and hit him right next to it, almost splitting his head open."
He paused, his tone filled with helplessness. "I went to the local police station to check the dispatch records, and it did happen. But that alley is a decades-old residential complex. The walls are peeling off, and there aren't even any lights in the corridor, let alone surveillance."
Lu Chao paused and continued, "I also went to the scene. The neighbors said that the building had long been rented out to migrant workers. There were people coming and going from all walks of life, and it was impossible to find out who threw the flowerpot or how it fell."
Yu Hao sighed. He thought that if he continued investigating this line, he would not be able to find any useful information.
Liu Kai, who was standing nearby, suddenly spoke up, "Sun Yong hasn't shown up yet. Does that mean Xiao Yan's situation has nothing to do with Sun Yong? Then our previous speculations were all wrong?"
He scratched his head, his tone filled with frustration. "In the Guo Zhong case, the fingerprints are incomplete, the footprints can't be used as direct evidence, and in the Wang Shun case, there's no substantial connection at all... Could it be that we've wronged an innocent person?"
Zhang Min was also a little shaken. She rubbed her sore eyes. "Could it be... we really have gone in the wrong direction? Although Sun Yong is suspicious, all the evidence remains at the level of 'possibility' and 'similarities', there is no solid proof. How about we investigate Guo Zhong's connection to organizing prostitution back then?"
Yu Hao shook his head. "Sun Yong's clue is derived from Guo Zhong's prostitution clue. I think there is no problem with it."
Although he was determined in this direction, disappointment was hard to conceal written on everyone's face in the office.
All the efforts of the past few days have felt like hitting cotton, and the feeling of powerlessness is more biting than the cold wind in winter.
Yu Hao walked to the window, feeling a heavy weight on his heart. Many clues pointed to Sun Yong, but why couldn't he piece together a complete chain of evidence?
"We can't be impatient." Yu Hao turned around, his voice calmer than before, his eyes revealing an unquestionable determination. "The clues are broken, which means we missed something. It's like a puzzle. If a key piece is missing, the whole picture will be incomplete."
He walked over to the whiteboard, picked up a marker, and drew a circle around Sun Yong's name. "Lu Chao, check Xiao Yan's social connections again, especially who he's come into contact with since coming to Qindao. Has he ever interacted with Wang Shun or Guo Zhong?"
He paused, his eyes sweeping over the crowd. "We can't let go of Sun Yong. I have a hunch there's something wrong with him. Right now, we should slow down and wait for changes to occur. Sometimes being too impatient can lead to missing crucial clues."
Everyone nodded reluctantly.
Just then, Yu Hao's cell phone rang. It was a call from the bureau office, saying that Deputy Director Ma asked him to take Lu Chao and Sun Wei to the office on the third floor immediately.
*
The air in the deputy director's office on the third floor was as cold as ice, making it hard to breathe. Deputy Director Ma stood by the window with his back to them, his shiny hair gleaming in the sunlight.
Hearing footsteps, he turned around abruptly and slammed a stack of case files onto the mahogany desk. The red covers shone brightly in the sunlight, and papers were scattered all over the floor.
"Yu Hao! How many days has it been?" Deputy Director Ma poked his finger heavily at the file on the "Wang Shun Intentional Homicide Case." "Two murders, and no one's been apprehended. What's the point of your criminal police team? Are you just keeping all of you around for show?"
The sudden criticism made Yu Hao and the other two feel oppressed. Yu Hao was startled, but still bowed slightly: "Director Ma, the case is proceeding according to procedure. Sun Yong is the most suspicious at the moment, but we still lack direct evidence. We..."
"Evidence, evidence! I want results!" Deputy Director Ma stood up suddenly, his beer belly trembling under his pressed shirt. "The bureau receives reports every day from the public saying that no one in Nan'an Village dares to go out at night. What kind of rumors are spreading? They say there's a serial killer who specializes in thugs. If this keeps up, the city will hold him accountable! How can I explain this to my superiors?"
Yu Hao frowned slightly, but his tone remained calm. "Director Ma, it's not that exaggerated. I live in Nan'an Village. The overall mood of the people is under control right now, but there's some panic. After all, there was a murder. We've increased patrols, and the situation is improving..."
"Are you making excuses for yourself?" Deputy Director Ma glared at Yu Hao with anger in his eyes. "If the case can't be solved, it's useless to say these things!"
"Director Ma, that's not what I meant." Yu Hao patiently explained, "Solving a homicide takes time. We can't ignore evidence in the pursuit of speed. Otherwise, it's easy to cause false charges and wrongful convictions..."
"What do you mean?" Deputy Director Ma interrupted him, his tone more severe.
Lu Chao couldn't help but take a step forward, his face filled with indignation. "Director Ma, solving a murder case isn't a deadline. We've already investigated hundreds of clues and pulled countless all-nighters. Zhang Min and the others haven't slept in three days..."
"Shut up!" Deputy Director Ma glared at him, spit splashing on Lu Chao's face. "You, a small police officer, dare to interrupt? Do you have the right to speak here? Yu Hao, I'm telling you, there must be a breakthrough within this week, otherwise your team will not be eligible for this year's excellence evaluation, and you will also lose your position as deputy captain!"
Lu Chao was so angry that his face turned red. He clenched his fists and muttered softly, "Who cares about that crappy evaluation..."
"What did you say?" Deputy Director Ma, with his sharp ears, immediately turned his attention to him. "Say it again? Do you believe I'll make you get out of the criminal police team tomorrow?"
"Director Ma!" Yu Hao stepped forward, standing in front of Lu Chao. "Lu Chao is young and impulsive, and he speaks without thinking. Don't bother with him. We will definitely solve the case as soon as possible, but please trust our professional judgment and give us some time."
Sun Wei pushed her glasses up, a cold look behind them. She had been silent until now, but suddenly spoke up, "Director Ma, you're a seasoned criminal investigator. You should understand the difference between a 'quick fix' and a 'precise fix'. Didn't you spend over three months on that serial murder case you handled before finding the crucial evidence?"
"I don't understand shit!" Deputy Director Ma suddenly cursed, startling everyone present. Normally, he was always smiling, even when criticizing, he spoke in an official tone. He had never lost his composure like he did today.
"This is a different time! What time is it now? The city is working on becoming a civilized city. Something like this happening at this critical juncture is just adding to my frustration. I just know that if I don't solve this case, the city will hold me accountable. How am I going to explain this to the director? How am I going to explain this to the media and society?"
"Yes, we will do it as soon as possible." Yu Hao gave a standard police salute, "If there is nothing else, we will go to investigate the case first."
Deputy Director Ma didn't say anything, just waved his hand impatiently, turned around and looked out the window again.
When he walked out of the office, Lu Chao's face was still red, like a boiled shrimp.
During the thirty seconds the elevator was descending, he gritted his teeth. "What the hell is this?! How many all-nighters have we pulled? What right does he have to say that? I'm going to the director to seek justice!"
"Stop." Yu Hao held his shoulder and said in a steady tone, "Do you want everyone to know that there's a conflict between the team and the leadership? If that happens, it will be difficult to even solve the case, not to mention the evaluation."
"So that's it?" Lu Chao was clearly unconvinced, his chest heaving violently. "He's clearly being unreasonable!"
"If you have such a temper, you might as well focus on the case." Yu Hao patted his arm, "Solve the case as soon as possible. Let the facts speak for themselves. That's better than anything else."
"These officials really don't mind talking without any hesitation." Lu Chao muttered indignantly, took out a cigarette box from his pocket, wanting to smoke a cigarette to calm down, but found that the cigarette box was empty.
"Okay, okay, stop complaining." Sun Wei sighed, her tone filled with helplessness. "He's the leader, so it's only natural for him to scold us. Besides, he's probably just under too much pressure."
As they were talking, the three of them had already walked out of the elevator and returned to the Criminal Police Team's office.
"Sister Sun, I'm not as open-minded as you." Lu Chao took a large glass of water and gulped it down, turning the glass upside down. "This guy is obviously targeting us. Normally, he doesn't care about the criminal investigation team. He suddenly attacked us today. There must be something wrong."
Although Deputy Director Ma is in charge of criminal investigation, he spends most of his time dealing with relationships with other departments and responding to the media. He cherishes his social image as a "people-friendly leader."
Although the people in the team were polite to him on the surface, they were talking about him behind his back, saying that he only cared about his own career and had no idea about the hardships of solving cases.
"Okay, this matter is over." Yu Hao sat back in his office chair, looking up at the chandelier on the ceiling. "I think it's almost time to close the net I set up earlier."
Yu Hao knew that, especially at times like this, he needed to remain calm. The truth was like a seed buried in the snow; as long as he waited patiently, it would eventually break through the ground.
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