SFTD -Chapter 162 Ghosts Beneath the Bridge (Final)

Wang Xuchao took out his phone, found a photo, and handed it to Lu Zhongping.

“At the Ding Stone Bridge scene, a huge pool of blood formed beside Zeng Da’s body. But even hours after the incident, the blood still hadn’t coagulated and was freely flowing. You can also see large amounts of blood coming from his mouth, nose, and ears!”

The photo was held right in front of Lu Zhongping. His breathing suddenly grew rapid as he stepped back two paces.

All the symptoms the forensic doctor had just described—he had them all. Hair loss, beard, eyebrows, armpit hair, body hair all falling out in large amounts. Even the hair in his lower body had started to fall out completely, leaving him smooth and bare. His wife had even joked that he had turned into a “white-cut chicken.” Could he really have been poisoned?

From Lu Zhongping’s expression, Zhou Hai could already tell that he believed he had been poisoned. It seemed his psychological gamble had worked.

Zhou Hai turned back and winked at the “Xu Biao,” who waved his hand.

“Take Liu Haiyan back to take her statement. No need for handcuffs—don’t let anyone take photos. It might affect her competition later.”

Such considerate words inevitably raised suspicion. Even a fool could tell this was because Liu Haiyan had just identified Lu Zhongping as the one who fabricated the scene and concealed the truth.

At this moment, Lu Zhongping no longer had his earlier aggressiveness. He ran a hand through his hair, and several fine strands remained tangled between his fingers. Strangely, he felt no pain. On his left forearm, the bluish-purple bruise seemed even larger than before, looking more and more sinister.

Zhou Hai stamped his foot and adjusted his collar.

“Team Leader Wang, I remember Coach Lu just insulted us earlier. For insulting police officers like this—can we detain him for a few days?”

Team Leader Wang narrowed his eyes, his gaze cold like a blade that could pierce through Lu Zhongping.

“Of course. Maliciously insulting police officers and obstructing a criminal investigation carries a minimum of fifteen days’ detention and a 2,000 yuan fine.”

Wang Xuchao waved his hand behind him. A group of officers turned off their body cameras, cracking their necks with a series of pops. Lu Zhongping didn’t know what they were planning, but that unknown fear began to engulf him, making his fingers tremble uncontrollably.

Zhou Hai took out a notebook and began writing formulas, calculating rapidly. After a while, he filled an entire page and nodded.

“Based on the peak accumulation of the drug, it would take eight to nine days for vascular rupture and massive internal bleeding to occur. That’s enough.”

Wang Xuchao didn’t even spare Lu Zhongping another glance.

“Take him back. Single cell, solitary confinement.”

In that instant, Lu Zhongping understood their intention—they were waiting for him to die from poisoning.

Thinking of Zeng Zhiqiang’s photo of blood flowing from all seven orifices, his heart rose to his throat. His legs suddenly felt weak, and a stream of warmth flowed from his nose.

He wiped it away—and when he saw the bright red blood on his hand, he froze completely. He swung his arms wildly, shaking off the officers trying to restrain him.

“I’m poisoned! I need a doctor! You have no evidence—this is murder!”

Wang Xuchao sneered.

“Heh. You’re clever. Yes, we have no evidence. We can’t find the source of those capsules, and we can’t prove your connection to this case. But who would’ve thought—you were so considerate, you even poisoned yourself. That performance of insulting police just now was quite energetic. Fifteen days of detention isn’t excessive. As for whether you’re poisoned—that has nothing to do with us. Take him away!”

Lu Zhongping was dragged and shoved into the police car. His shouts gradually faded into the roar of the engine.

Wang Xuchao placed a hand on Zhou Hai’s shoulder.

“Zhou Hai, your psychological tactic was ruthless.”

Xu Biao slapped Wang Xuchao’s hand away.

“Stop acting familiar. It’s year-end—don’t try to dodge the bill. Hurry up and settle the testing fees, or Director Pang is going to chase us to the ends of the earth again.”

Zhou Hai and Xu Biao did not return to the criminal police team with Wang Xuchao. They had already done everything they could. The old campus of Yong’an Sports School and Coach Lu’s office at the new campus had both been searched, but the capsules filled with warfarin were never found. Now, all they could do was force Lu Zhongping to confess on his own.

The next afternoon, just before work ended, Zhou Hai’s office door was slammed open with a loud bang. The others in Group Two were already used to such disruptive entrances.

Zhou Hai glanced toward the door. Wang Xuchao stood there with an uncontrollable smile, quickly walking over and pulling over a chair before sitting down heavily.

Bang.

He slapped a piece of paper onto Zhou Hai’s desk. Zhou Hai looked at him in confusion as Wang Xuchao gestured at it with his chin.

“I don’t have money, but I managed to grind this out for you. I dragged it through several team leaders and even caused a scene in front of the leadership to get it. Take a good look. I heard your Group Two might be getting a reward this time—but that’s the leadership’s decision. I only caught a bit of it.”

Zhou Hai glanced at the paper, then set it aside after a quick look.

“Thanks.”

Wang Xuchao looked speechless.

Xu Biao came over and picked up the document, reading it carefully.

“Well, well, this is rare! They actually established a special fund in the city for all our experimental expenses. This is basically stripping Director Pang of his financial power. Kid, you’re in trouble—big trouble!”

He turned to Wang Xuchao.

“Let me guess—who did you drag along to pressure the leadership? Captain Huang? If Chu Menghan could attend, she’d be there too. And maybe Team Leader Xu and Team Leader Hu as well, right?”

Wang Xuchao rolled his eyes and pushed his fat face away.

“Talking to you is exhausting. This morning, at the municipal bureau meeting about major pre-Spring Festival cases, we brought up Zhou Hai. So we jointly approached Secretary Zhao. We didn’t expect him to agree on the spot and approve a special fund.”

Xu Biao shook his head.

“Our Zhou Hai really doesn’t show emotion easily. But this is still worth thanking everyone for. Getting rid of Director Pang’s chasing debts feels pretty great. Right, tell us—since you had time to attend the meeting, does that mean the case is already finished?”

Wang Xuchao burst out laughing. The more he laughed, the more obvious it became that he was here just to show off.

Finally, Zhou Hai pushed over his printed report.

“Before transferring him to the procuratorate, he still needs a medical check. They can run another toxicology test then. If you’re still worried, just make him drink some spinach juice. The exposure level was extremely limited.”

Xu Biao patted Wang Xuchao’s shoulder.

“You’ve gone bad. All you know is showing off and not being practical. You came here talking about benefits for Group Two, and now you forget your roots the moment you step down. Come on—tell us the result already.”