SFTD -Chapter 264 Rabies Virus (Part 19)

Starting from four in the morning until noon, Zhou Hai and the others finally completed the basic examination of all the skeletal remains. As for the large amount of laboratory data analysis, samples had already been collected and would need to be processed after they returned.

The twenty-four skeletons excavated from the north side of the cemetery were basically all cases of natural death. Their clothing was relatively intact, and 95% of them were between sixty-five and eighty-five years old. The information matched almost perfectly with the burial records registered at the cemetery.

However, the twenty-nine skeletons discarded inside the burial pit had all died unnatural deaths.

Moreover, every set of bones showed traces of deliberate cutting and damage. Their estimated times of death ranged from two years ago to as recent as one month ago. The victims were all thin-built minors between twelve and seventeen years old: twenty-one males and seven females.

Among the four most recent corpses—three males and one female, all dead for about a month—parts of the bodies had already skeletonized, and bandages used for binding were discovered around both wrists.

Judging by the timeline, only one of those three male victims could possibly have been the carrier of the rabies virus.

Because of this, Zhou Hai conducted even more detailed examinations on the three skeletons. Unfortunately, due to severe decomposition, no wounds could be found, nor were there any bite marks on the bones. Samples were collected from every skeleton, and it seemed laboratory testing back at the center would be the only option.

After the scene had been cleared, Wang Man came over to find Zhou Hai.

“Doctor Zhou, the scene has mostly been processed. I just discussed it with Old Liang from Xuzhou and the others. We plan to transport all twenty-nine skeletons back with us directly. Further testing still needs to be done, and if we identify any missing persons, we can contact the victims’ families. The transport vehicles have already arrived. Should we start loading them now?”

Zhou Hai thought for a moment.

“Alright, start loading them.

Leave the other twenty-four skeletons here. Have the local forensic team conduct DNA testing, then contact the families according to the registration records for comparison before deciding on cremation arrangements.

This cemetery must remain sealed off for now. The provincial department has already opened a case file, so the entire site needs to be protected. Especially the families of those buried here—they need proper emotional support.”

“Don’t worry about that. Director Liu has already arranged everything. Let’s go!”

Everyone began loading the vehicles. Meanwhile, Zhou Hai dialed Hu Nan’s number. The call connected on the second ring, causing him to pause briefly. It seemed she had been staring at her phone the whole time, waiting for news from him.

“Forensic Doctor Hu, I’ve summarized the findings from the scene and just sent them to your email.”

“Have you confirmed that the cemetery in Xuzhou was stealing organs from corpses?”

Zhou Hai glanced around the cemetery and walked beneath a tree.

“It’s not organ theft from corpses. We found the remains of twenty-nine victims between the ages of twelve and seventeen. Every one of them died unnatural deaths, and there are obvious signs of deliberate bone cutting on their bodies. The situation is far more serious than we imagined.

We’re loading the vehicles now and returning to Dongnan. The detailed lab reports will come later, since many procedures aren’t convenient to carry out in Xuzhou.

Also, we rescued one survivor at the scene. He still hasn’t regained consciousness, but we’re taking him back to Dongnan for treatment. Hopefully, we can learn more details from him.”

After recovering from her initial shock, Hu Nan became excited when she heard there was a survivor.

“Alright, I won’t keep you any longer. I’ll immediately report the materials you submitted. Director Yuan is still waiting for updates.”

Without any goodbye or pleasantries, she instantly hung up.

Though it seemed somewhat impolite, Zhou Hai could still feel her passion for the job. Sitting in the car, he closed his eyes slightly. Due to exhaustion, his left eye had already begun throbbing painfully.

He wanted to ask Xu Biao for painkillers, but remembering everyone was still busy loading the trucks, he didn’t get up.

Half-asleep, he replayed Hu Nan’s voice in his mind. It sounded increasingly familiar today, yet he still couldn’t remember who it resembled.

Another ringtone suddenly sounded. Without even checking the caller ID, Zhou Hai answered.

“Forensic Doctor Zhou, this is Nan Wudao. The strings of numbers you sent are text converted through the nine-key keypad input method. It’s actually a relatively simple cipher that only requires prior agreement. I’ve already translated the contents. They’re mostly times, locations, and quantities—it looks very much like an account ledger.”

“Thank you, Doctor Nan. Please send me the translated contents.”

Doctor Nan immediately hung up. Not long afterward, several images arrived through WeChat.

As expected, they were simply lists of times, locations, and quantities.

Clearly, the person behind this had brains.

After some thought, Zhou Hai decided not to send the information to Hu Nan yet. He would wait until the lab results came out and submit everything together to the provincial department to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Shaking his head, Zhou Hai stopped thinking about it.

The car door suddenly opened with a creak, causing the vehicle to sway. Without opening his eyes, he already knew Xu Biao had climbed in, so he extended a hand toward him.

“Find me two tranquilizers. My eye’s throbbing badly. I want to sleep for a while.”

Seeing how utterly exhausted Zhou Hai looked, Xu Biao swallowed the words he originally wanted to say.

He rummaged through his bag, found the medicine, poured two pills into Zhou Hai’s palm, then handed him a bottle of water. Without opening his eyes, Zhou Hai swallowed the pills and leaned crookedly against the back seat, seemingly asleep almost immediately.

At eight that evening, the convoy arrived back at the center.

During the journey, Xu Biao had already informed Director Pang of their route and estimated arrival time. Since the case involved a massive number of victims and even the provincial department had intervened, Director Pang took it extremely seriously and had already arranged for all laboratory personnel to remain on standby.

As all the vehicles drove into the center courtyard, even Director Pang was stunned.

Twenty-nine large storage containers were stacked densely across the yard.

Without needing instructions, Sister Zeng from the lab had already brought her team downstairs. Xu Biao handed her a handwritten list.

“There wasn’t much time, so I organized this in the car. Take a look, Sister.”

Understanding the severity of the situation, Sister Zeng showed no complaints despite the overwhelming workload. Instead, there was even a trace of excitement in her eyes as she waved Xu Biao away.

“You all go rest. Every report will be finished before five tomorrow morning.”

The moment she finished speaking, the other lab technicians behind her widened their eyes, and a chorus of miserable groans erupted.

Sister Zeng turned around and swept her gaze across the room.

“You don’t want to participate? Say it now, and I’ll arrange your transfer immediately. None of you can stay under me anymore.”

One sentence instantly silenced all complaints. Everyone hurriedly carried the boxes upstairs.

Director Pang called for everyone to head to the cafeteria for a meal, but Xu Biao waved him off.

“Director, forget the food. We should hurry home and get some sleep. Fengzi and the others haven’t closed their eyes for two days and one night. They’re dead tired. Besides, we still have to wait for the results tomorrow morning.”

Director Pang smoothed back his hair.

“Alright. I’ll have someone drive you all back first. This case was handled beautifully. The provincial department is very satisfied. They specifically praised our center’s sharp awareness and rapid response, so we absolutely must handle the follow-up properly. Everyone’s worked hard.”

His words carried genuine emotion, and everyone appreciated it.

The group dispersed and returned home directly.

But Zhou Hai and Xu Biao did not leave.

After all, there were still two suspects awaiting autopsy.

…

At five the next morning, Zhou Hai and Xu Biao had already arrived at the center.

The two went straight upstairs to the laboratory. Before they could knock, Zhou Hai’s phone rang.

The caller was Sister Zeng.

Xu Biao could not help laughing.

“Sister Zeng really keeps her word. Looks like everything’s done already.”

Zhou Hai nodded and pounded twice on the lab door. The instant the knocking sounded, the phone stopped ringing. Sister Zeng came shuffling over in slippers and opened the door.

“Hurry in. The results are ready.”

Zhou Hai felt nervous.

Estimating time of death from skeletal remains was extremely difficult. Even experienced judgments could still be affected by environmental conditions.

“How is it? Was the one I suspected the donor?”

Sister Zeng rolled her eyes at him.

“You really need people to praise you first? Yes. Your judgment was unbelievably accurate!

Victim Number 127—the one you marked—was indeed the rabies virus carrier. I found a lesion site wrapped in periosteal growth on his radius. Looks like the bite injury he suffered back then was very severe.”

Zhou Hai let out a long breath.

“Good. As long as we found him.”

Sister Zeng patted the stack of reports.

“Based on the common traits you pointed out, I compared the trace elements in all the victims’ bodies. I didn’t expect it, but I actually found a shared characteristic.”

Zhou Hai immediately looked up at her.

“What common characteristic did you find?”