SFTD -Chapter 26 Giant Cadaveric Swelling (Part 6)

Opening his phone, Xu Biao saw that Sister Zeng had sent a message—the diatom test result was negative.

He handed the phone to Zhou Hai. After reading it, Zhou Hai nodded.

Xu Biao glanced at Zhou Hai, then raised the freshly printed photographs in his hand and continued examining them carefully.

Among them were many photos of Xu Zekai and Wan Zhiyong together. Their intimate, inseparable appearance revealed just how close the two had been.

Zhou Hai narrowed his eyes slightly.

As the only healthy parent, if something happened to your child, you would rush over immediately no matter what obstacles stood in your way.

After all, he was their only son.

So what exactly did Xu Xiangyun’s attitude represent?

Captain Huang returned and found Zhou Hai sitting motionless, looking puzzled. He stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder.

“What’s wrong, Forensic Doctor Zhou?”

Zhou Hai tapped rhythmically on the tabletop, speaking half to himself and half as an explanation.

“This father could take his four-year-old child abroad for a relatively minor hernia repair surgery; and later, when the child was in his second year of high school, send him to study in England. You should know, the cost of studying in the UK is more than double that of the United States. But now, after his son became an adult, even after months without contact, upon hearing news of his son’s death, they can remain this calm. Or perhaps another phrase would fit better— completely indifferent. Do you think that’s normal?”

“Didn’t they say they were busy with work? And that they still had to take care of his paralyzed wife?”

Captain Huang asked doubtfully.

Xu Biao followed Zhou Hai’s train of thought for a moment before shaking his head.

“No, Hai Zi has more authority to speak on this. After all, he studied abroad too. Families separated by distance usually miss and worry about each other even more. They wouldn’t go so long without contact. Right?”

Zhou Hai tilted his head toward Xiao Liang.

“Did you draw the blood?”

“We did. But one of the veteran detectives just scolded me, saying we keep doing unnecessary things. He said they aren’t direct relatives, so why bother with DNA testing? Just wasting national resources.”

Without even looking up, Zhou Hai replied:

“Very good. From now on, whether I specifically instruct it or not, whenever someone comes in to assist with an investigation and we happen to encounter them, draw blood samples and keep them on file. Whether we screen them later is another matter. Just treat it as a routine procedure. As for anyone making sarcastic remarks…”

He paused slightly.

“We’ll leave that to Captain Huang to handle.”

Xiao Liang and Xu Biao both nodded.

Zhou Hai’s words sounded calm, but in reality he had just placed the burden squarely onto Captain Huang’s shoulders.

We’re helping your division solve cases, yet your own people are causing trouble—that’s an issue of professional conduct.

At the same time, Zhou Hai was also standing up for his own team members.

Captain Huang frowned and nodded.

“Don’t worry. I’ll deal with it shortly. I already had people retrieve Xu Zekai’s communication records, account transactions, and WeChat data. But the last one will take about a week. Forensic Doctor Zhou… are you suggesting there was some problem between Xu Zekai and his father?”

“That’s just my personal feeling for now. Let’s wait until the communication records come back before discussing it further. Xiao Liang, send the DNA samples we just collected back to the center and compare them against Xu Zekai’s.”

Carrying the evidence box filled with blood samples, Xiao Liang hurried downstairs.

Captain Huang scratched his head awkwardly and looked toward Zhou Hai.

“There’s one more thing I need your help with. I tried calling the victim’s father earlier, but I couldn’t get through. The recording kept speaking English the whole time.”

Zhou Hai picked up the office landline and began dialing. The other side answered on the seventh ring.

“Hello?”

“Ah, hello?”

This time, there was no English recording at all.

Captain Huang froze for a moment.

This was outright discrimination! Why had his own call been nothing but English?

“Hello. This is the Criminal Investigation Division of Dongnan City Public Security Bureau. I’m forensic doctor Zhou Hai. May I ask if you are Xu Zekai’s father, Xu Xiangyuan?”

“Yes.”

Although the man’s voice remained controlled, it was clear his mood was low. Apparently Xu Xiangyun had already informed him.

But his son had been murdered, and yet he answered with such composure.

Either he possessed extraordinary mental fortitude…or he was excessively cold…or there was some hidden truth involved.

And naturally, that last possibility was the one Zhou Hai least wanted to see.

“My condolences. We have confirmed that Xu Zekai was murdered. Right now, we need you and Xu Zekai’s mother to provide information verifying Xu Zekai’s recent activities. Even if you don’t have time to return to China, that’s alright.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t quite understand. Do you need my communication records? Given the nature of my work, I assume my sister already mentioned it. I’m currently involved in an international bidding project. That kind of information isn’t permitted to be disclosed—”

“Please wait. We only need the WeChat chat history between you and Xu Zekai from this year. We hope it may help with the investigation.”

The other side thought briefly.

“Alright then. I’ll send you screenshots later.”

After adding each other on WeChat, they hung up.

A flash of inspiration suddenly appeared in Xu Biao’s eyes. He leaned closer to Captain Huang and Zhou Hai and whispered:

“Now that we know Xu Zekai’s phone number, couldn’t we crack his WeChat password? I’m sure there are experts in the bureau who can handle that. We could save a lot of time. A whole week is too long…”

Zhou Hai nodded seriously.

“When there’s difficulty, seek help from the leadership…”

Captain Huang blinked in surprise. He hadn’t expected Zhou Hai and Xu Biao to think alike on this matter.

Grinning broadly, he laughed and punched both of them hard on the shoulder.

“Don’t worry. I’ll go cry to Captain Liu right now.”

Just as the three were preparing to leave the room, the desk phone rang again.

Captain Huang tilted his head slightly at the long string of numbers on the display and motioned for Zhou Hai and the others to wait. He pressed the speakerphone button directly.

“Hi, hello!”

“Hello. This is the Eastern District Criminal Investigation Division. Who are you looking for?”

“Ah… I’d like to speak with the person who called me earlier…Oh, what’s that title called again? Legal medical expert!”

Zhou Hai had already walked back over. He hadn’t expected Xu Zekai’s father to call back specifically looking for him.

“Hello. I’m not a legal medical expert. I’m just an ordinary coroner. How can I help you?”

“Oh! I always confuse those terms. I just spoke with my lawyer in China. He will fully handle this case and cooperate with your investigation. There are some design drafts on Kai Kai’s company computer. My lawyer will need to be present with you when you inspect it. His contact number is…”

After writing down the number, Zhou Hai hung up and glanced at the others.

“It seems this father has no desire to involve himself in the case personally. He’s delegating everything to a lawyer instead.”

Captain Huang picked up the number Zhou Hai had written and examined it.

“This isn’t a Dongnan City number—it’s from the provincial capital! Why would he go out of his way to hire a completely unrelated lawyer to handle his own son’s murder case? Doesn’t he trust his own sister?”

None of them said anything further.

The search warrant had already been approved.

Before meeting the lawyer carrying the authorization documents, they still needed to visit Xu Zekai’s home first.