SFTD -Chapter 223 The Incomplete Password (Part 7)

Dr. Chu, immediately became obedient. Zhou Hai had no time to waste chatting with them. There were too many fragmented clues—there had to be some connection among them. It was just that they had not yet found the linking point. Now, however, time was tight. They had to speed things up; otherwise, following the killer’s pace, a fifth victim would soon appear.

“I’m going to review the autopsy now. It would be best if we can gather all the information on the four victims. We need to find what they had in common. The killer could not have randomly decided to kill four people in succession. There must be a thread connecting all these cases. Once we find that thread, we’ll find the origin.”

Team Leader Hu naturally had no objections and immediately ordered everyone to get to work.

“Yu Yongliang, take people to check the surveillance. During the time of the crime, investigate all vehicles on the four roads leading to this area. I want all driver information.

Da Li, organize the data of the four victims and send everything to Dr. Zhou. Also, by tomorrow I want a complete timeline of their lives—school, employment, everything that could be related. See if there are any intersections.

Don’t make excuses. The city places huge importance on this case—I don’t need to say more. The entire Migao is in panic. Whether we can solve it depends on how carefully we work.

Alright, move! If you’re a man, don’t let anyone say you can’t handle it.”

Everyone shouted “Yes!” in response, both as encouragement for their teammates and themselves. This case had been weighing on them for months. Previously, the situation was unclear, but as cases piled up, the pressure from the municipal leadership and public opinion had left the entire criminal police unit under heavy strain.

Zhou Hai took Xu Biao straight to the forensic department on the second floor. As a county-level city under Dongnan jurisdiction, Migao’s facilities were quite good. The forensic and autopsy rooms were fully equipped, with brand-new equipment. However, there was only one forensic doctor, Chu. A few others had been transferred in before but did not stay long. Team Leader Hu escorted them to the door but did not enter.

“Dr. Zhou, I won’t stand on ceremony. The bodies of the previous three victims have also been delivered. I think it would be more reassuring if you reviewed them as well. Xiao Chu’s ability is limited—she’s very enthusiastic, but still lacks technical experience. I’ll leave the rest to you.”

“No need to be polite. Send over all the materials as well. I’ll complete the autopsies and then make a comprehensive assessment. We’ll regroup afterward.”

After speaking, Team Leader Hu left. As they entered through the glass door, they saw Fengzi and Xiao Liang busy in the dissection room. Forensic Doctor Chu was pushing a body over, preparing for the next autopsy. The three of them turned toward the entrance when they heard the sound.

“Boss (Hai ge)?”

“How many have you done?”

Zhou Hai quickly put on protective clothing, a cap, and a mask, and walked to the two stainless steel autopsy tables.

“The autopsy on Yu Lele has just been completed. The postmortem lividity and blood are bright red. Major organs show signs of asphyxia. The mouth, throat, and esophagus all show varying degrees of congestion and edema. The gastric and duodenal mucosa show congestion, erosion, and necrosis. There is a bitter almond smell in the stomach and body cavity. We also found a partially digested soft capsule in the stomach, just about to be sent for testing.”

As Fengzi explained, Zhou Hai examined the corpse and confirmed that the toxic symptoms matched what had been described.

“So the poison prepared by the killer is cyanide?”

All three nodded. Dr. Chu, saw that Zhou Hai and the others could determine the cause of death and poison type just from external examination, and the dissatisfaction in her heart had already faded. Instead, she now felt admiration.

“We’ve already tested the toxins in the first three victims. It was indeed cyanide. But why are the lividity and blood color so unusual?”

Zhou Hai examined the clothing and explained:

“Because cyanomethemoglobin was formed in the blood, causing this appearance. However, the interval between ingestion and death was somewhat long, suggesting the cyanide purity was not high.”

Chu immediately widened her eyes and handed over a report.

“Although the toxin was identified as sodium cyanide, its purity is not high. The lab technician said it might be synthetically produced.”

Zhou Hai nodded. This was an important clue. If the killer could synthesize cyanide, it meant he likely had access to a laboratory. Moreover, synthesizing and purifying cyanide was not difficult—so why didn’t he refine it?

Was the killer deliberately trying to prolong the dying process?

At that thought, Zhou Hai felt a sudden chill run through him. Rarely did he feel such cold unease. A person like this was terrifying—watching victims convulse, struggle, and beg for life, and actually enjoying it, wanting to extend that suffering.

He took a deep breath and refocused. Another body had already been placed on the table.

“Dr. Chu, bring the remaining two bodies over.”

Chu nodded, but pointed at Yu Lele’s body.

“This one isn’t sent back yet?”

“No. I need to compare them in detail.”

Xu Biao helped Chu move the remaining two thawed bodies onto stretchers. Two tables and four bodies now filled the autopsy room, creating a somewhat shocking scene. Even Chu was startled by her own thought.

Zhou Hai arranged the four victims in order. The first was Wang Chunsheng, with no external injuries. His hair was somewhat sparse—he was only 35, yet already balding prematurely.

Based on the autopsy report, Zhou Hai re-examined his internal organs. The descriptions were mostly accurate, but his gastric mucosal erosion was severe. Could the dosage have differed between victims?

“What was the concentration of the toxin in Wang Chunsheng’s blood?”

This question stunned Chu. She had only noted cyanide poisoning and hadn’t paid attention to concentration levels. The report might contain it.

“I’ll look for it.”

Chu rushed to the pile of lab documents, searching through files. Fengzi joined her to help. Soon, they found three toxicology reports.

Fengzi opened them. He had already examined Wang Chunsheng’s body and hadn’t noticed anything unusual, so Zhou Hai’s question surprised him. But after seeing the three values, he immediately understood Zhou Hai’s intention.

“Boss, Wang Chunsheng’s blood cyanide level is much higher than Liu Yusong and Zhu Leru’s.”

Chu was still confused. What did this difference mean? The poison was the same—so the comparison seemed meaningless.

“What does this mean? Did the killer want him to die faster?”

Zhou Hai narrowed his eyes.

“On the contrary. The killer is trying to determine the effective dose—one that can kill while also prolonging suffering. It’s like drug testing: animal trials and human trials. Based on height and weight, finding the optimal lethal dose.”

Xu Biao shuddered violently, his cheeks trembling.

“So they’re treating humans like lab rats? Then, Hai-zi, do you mean the killer is a professional in pharmaceuticals?”

“Anyone with access to laboratories could do this—pharmaceutical chemistry labs, hospital testing labs, even large corporate labs. Mining and gold extraction labs can also obtain these substances. Extracting and purifying cyanide isn’t particularly complicated.”

Chu looked distressed.

“Ah! Migao doesn’t have gold mines, but there are plenty of large companies. Doesn’t that make the suspect pool even bigger?”