SFTD -Chapter 142 A Drop of Blood (Part 7)

“Zheng Yuan? Zheng Yuan is the son of the deceased Zheng Hongtao. He also needs to be investigated?”

One of Zhao Xinli’s assistants was startled and blurted out loudly. He immediately realized his mistake, quickly covered his mouth, and looked toward Zhou Hai. Zhou Hai glanced at him but did not get angry.

“As long as they meet our criteria, they must be screened. Direct relatives must be investigated even more carefully. After all, many cases are committed by acquaintances or family members. This case is no exception. Anyone who knew that Zheng Hongtao had 400,000 yuan at home must be someone close to him.”

Captain Xu fully agreed with Zhou Hai’s view.

“Mm, that’s what we think too. According to the victim’s wife Zhu Li, their son Zheng Yuan messaged her after the holiday saying he would work for a month and come back around the Lunar New Year.”

“When Zhu Li found out Zheng Hongtao was dead, she called Zheng Yuan, but the phone was never answered. Up to now, there’s still no contact.”

“No travel records for Zheng Chidong were found either. Zheng Hongtao’s sister-in-law said that the father and son planned to work more during the year, so they weren’t coming back for New Year.”

Xu Biao was stunned. The Spring Festival was the most important time for people in the southeast—after a year of hard work, everyone looked forward to reunion. Not coming home for New Year was hard to understand; even with extra pay, many people would refuse to stay away during the holiday.

Zhou Hai asked Captain Xu, “Have you sent people to look for Zheng Yuan?”

“We contacted his classmates and his academic advisor, still waiting for results.”

“What about Zheng Hongbo and Zheng Chidong’s jobs in Shanghai?”

“Plumbers. Zheng Hongbo, the victim’s younger brother, worked as a plumber when he was young. His son Zheng Chidong wasn’t good at studying, so after middle school he went to Shanghai to work with him.”

Xu Biao curled his lips. “Why not come back and work with his brother at the pig farm? Even if plumbing pays well, it’s still living away from home.”

Zhao Xinli thought for a moment. “People in the village say Zheng Hongtao was difficult to get along with. Even with his own younger brother, the relationship wasn’t good—especially when he was drunk. His social relations were very poor.”

Xu Biao nodded in realization and signaled to Captain Xu.

“Go on.”

“There’s nothing else. Zheng Hongbo’s wife has already called them; the two are now preparing to buy tickets back.”

The investigation had hit a deadlock. The peripheral screening had yielded no leads. It seemed everything now depended on the lab results. Zhao Xinli looked at Zhou Hai.

“Dr. Zhou, please talk about the autopsy results. If possible, help Captain Xu and the others build a profile of the suspect. That’s not my specialty.”

Zhou Hai did not refuse. He placed his elbows on the table.

“The autopsy was done with Captain Xu present. We can only reconstruct the crime to a limited extent.”

“We tend to believe the victim was drugged during a meal with someone. However, there were no obvious symptoms, so it’s difficult to determine the exact substance. My personal guess is a sedative-type drug, possibly sleeping pills.”

“The killer knew the victim’s financial situation, especially the location of the 400,000 yuan. The rummaging and dragging at the scene seemed to be staged. The small table behind the sofa should have been used as a support for the victim’s neck, causing asphyxiation.”

“Based on the scene investigation, I believe the perpetrator is a male between 18 and 30 years old, familiar with the Zheng family, from a well-off background, wearing size 44 shoes, height between 175 and 182 cm, and weighing under 120 jin—lean build.”

Captain Xu nodded. “Then as Dr. Zhou said, we still need to start from Suntan Village, going door to door to see if we missed anything.”

Zhao Xinli leaned forward slightly. “I just checked with the center. All lab tests will be completed by tomorrow noon at the earliest. The DNA samples you provided from several suspects have also been submitted for comparison.”

Xu Biao sitting beside Zhou Hai had remained silent, scribbling in his notebook. Zhou Hai glanced down and saw that he was studying a map of Mocheng City’s surrounding areas. All transportation hubs were marked with stars. Xu Biao was copying their positions down one by one. Zhou Hai was puzzled.

“What are you thinking?”

Xu Biao scratched his head. “If the killer planned everything, he would definitely avoid transport hubs that could be traced. I calculated it—whether getting off at Miga or Shangning, it doesn’t add much detour to reach Mocheng City.”

“Look here: three train stations, four long-distance bus stations, and Miga also has an airport. Basically, everything is within an hour’s drive.”

Zhou Hai looked at it. “So you also suspect a local who returned from outside?”

“I just searched the cigarette butt’s ‘Tianzun’ logo. At first I was confused by the name.”

“Later I found a photo posted online—this is a ‘Tianzun’ export version of Huanghelou cigarettes. One pack costs between 70 and 160 yuan depending on the version. I’m not sure which one this is.”

Captain Xu took a look. “I’ve never seen this, but it’s fine. Xiao Zhao, take the photo to the tobacco company and check which cities this product is sold in.”

“So generous… someone who smokes 100-yuan cigarettes still robs money?”

Zhao Xinli frowned deeply. Xu Biao patted him.

“Don’t overthink it. Last year in Dongnan City, there was a theft ring wandering shopping malls. They looked rich, wearing luxury brands, but still stole from high-end stores. So don’t judge people by appearance. When people are short on money, they’re capable of anything.”

Zhou Hai slammed the table.

“Yes. We’ve missed a key direction. When screening suspects, we didn’t check their financial status. If they’re short of money, it will definitely show.”

Captain Xu suddenly smiled. “Good, now we have a direction. Let’s start investigating. For now, let’s go eat lunch—we’ve been busy all day and haven’t eaten.”

Zhao Xinli looked at Zhou Hai. “Let’s go together. I’m really hungry too.”

“You guys go ahead. There are two people waiting for me in Hot Spring Town.”

Xu Biao immediately leaned in with a gossiping expression.

“I’ll go with you, Hai! I want to see the little loli. I’ve been busy and haven’t met her in person. And the other one—don’t tell me it’s that beautiful teacher?”

Zhou Hai glanced at him and smiled faintly.

“Mm. Then come with me. I’ve got a place there.”

Zhao Xinli smiled gratefully. “Alright, I won’t be polite then. Tomorrow when the test results come out, I’ll still need Dr. Zhou to take a look.”

Xu Biao grinned at Zhao Xinli and slung an arm around his shoulder.

“No need for formalities. We’re heading out. Call us if there’s news. Dr. Zhou is the driver now.”

A police officer drove them to the hotel Zhou Hai had booked in Hot Spring Town. Zhou Hai had already called Lu Xi, asking them to wait in the lobby.

As soon as they entered the hotel lobby, they saw a big and a small beauty sitting on the sofa.

Little loli Zhou Luoluo was already impatient, kicking the coffee table with her foot. When she saw Zhou Hai and the others, she quickly jumped down.

“Xi Xi! Zhou Zhou is back! Zhou Zhou is back!”

Lu Xi put away her phone and stood up. Seeing another man behind Zhou Hai, she smiled gently.

“Hello.”

Xu Biao’s mouth opened wide. He kept winking at Zhou Hai and whispered:

“Tsk tsk tsk… no wonder you weren’t interested in Chu Menghan. So you’ve been hiding beauties at home!”