SFTD -Chapter 318 Missing Memory (Part 10)

Xiao Liu sighed. “Wang Shouxin’s wife reported on the morning of April 14, 2014 that her husband’s car was found parked outside the Phase Two construction site near their residential compound. The car doors were left open. Except for his phone, all of Wang Shouxin’s personal belongings were still inside—including more than ten thousand yuan in cash in his wallet, untouched.

Until the afternoon of the 14th, we received another report from a demolition site. We rushed to the crime scene on Zhanghua Road for inspection. Based on the information we gathered, our team leader noticed similarities between the two cases, which led Group Leader Liu to personally go to the site for further investigation.

At the same time, our team leader took Wang Shouxin’s wife back to the unit. After she saw photos of the victim’s clothing fragments from the scene, she felt they were very similar to her husband’s clothes.

That’s why we brought her in for further identification. Of course, it was ultimately confirmed through DNA comparison. Our team leader took this case very seriously, after all, the victim was his classmate’s husband. Unfortunately, that crime scene had already been demolished.”

“I heard from Wang Xuchao that Wang Shouxin was a well-known defense lawyer for economic cases. He had a high profile and a lot of enemies. Did you thoroughly investigate them one by one?”

“At the time, we basically screened about half of the well-known lawyers in Southeast China. Because of professional rivalries, he really lived up to that saying—he had practically made enemies with the entire legal circle in the Southeast. Although he made a lot of money, his reputation wasn’t great.”

Zhou Hai narrowed his eyes. Bad reputation… could it be—

“Later when you go to the scene, bring the case files with you. Especially the investigation on the victim’s social connections. I want it as detailed as possible.”

Xiao Liu didn’t know what Zhou Hai intended to do, but since it was an order, he didn’t question it. He immediately hung up and went to prepare.

At nine o’clock sharp, Zhou Hai drove following the navigation into a small parking lot. He immediately saw Xiao Liu glancing at his watch repeatedly while talking to Xu Biao.

Xu Biao had already spotted Zhou Hai’s car and waved. The two of them ran over.

Zhou Hai got out of the car. Xiao Liu hurriedly said, “Forensic Zhou, we checked around the main entrance and found that the environment inside the Happy Island bar looks somewhat similar to the second video. But the bar isn’t open. Only a security guard is on duty. He said he doesn’t have the keys and has to wait for the boss to arrive to open it.”

Zhou Hai looked at Xiao Liu, honestly not knowing what to say anymore. Whatever someone said, he just did it?

“Let’s go take a look.”

He walked with the two of them toward the entrance. A young security guard was crouched inside, looking out innocently.

When he saw another person approaching, his eyes carried a hint of scrutiny. But when he turned slightly, Zhou Hai still noticed part of a phone sticking out of his pocket—the screen was lit, showing it was on a call.

Xiao Liu pushed the gate; it only opened a small gap. Zhou Hai cleared his throat.

“Xu Biao, call the fire department. The fire safety facilities and evacuation routes here are not up to standard. Ask them to come inspect it. Now. Immediately. Right away.”

Xu Biao understood instantly at Zhou Hai’s cough. He quickly pulled out his phone and dialed.

“Hello, Captain Xu? I’m Xu Biao from the Forensic Identification Center—

Yes, yes, that’s right!

Our Director Zhou wants you to send someone to inspect a bar’s fire safety. From the outside, there are already many violations—

Alright, I’ll send you the address now. We’ll wait here.”

After hanging up, Xu Biao walked back to Zhou Hai.

“Ten minutes. We just need to wait ten minutes. They’re nearby and will arrive quickly.”

Zhou Hai didn’t say anything else, only gave a faint “mm,” and didn’t bother negotiating with the security guard.

This made the guard panic. He slipped away to make a call. Not long after, he returned and quickly lifted the remaining half of the rolling shutter door, opening the entrance.

Hearing the noise, Xiao Liu turned back. But seeing that Zhou Hai and Xu Biao had no intention of going in yet, he also stayed put and listened to their conversation.

Just then, as the security guard walked over, there was the sudden screech of brakes. A red sports car—like a leopard—drifted neatly into the parking lot.

When it stopped, the door opened and out came a handsome woman. Yes—a sharp, short-haired, strikingly cool-looking woman.

Xu Biao coughed twice. “Hai Zi, a beauty’s arrived. No need to guess, she’s definitely the owner of this place. Or maybe the boss lady. Either way, whether she’s the legitimate wife or the mistress, I’d say the odds of some love triangle drama are pretty high.”

Zhou Hai glanced at him, and Xu Biao immediately shut up.

“When are the fire department people arriving?” Zhou Hai asked.

Xu Biao paused. “You’re really planning to have them inspect this place for real?”

But he still checked the time. It had been about seven or eight minutes since the call. If the person was accurate, they should be arriving soon.

“They said ten minutes. And they’re quick-tempered types, already inspecting nearby. Should be fast.”

As soon as he finished speaking, another vehicle arrived—this one a more standard SUV with flashing red lights. It executed a much more restrained drift before stopping.

Several people in green uniforms got out, stars and insignias on their shoulders. They waved when they saw Zhou Hai and Xu Biao and quickly walked over.

One of them saluted Zhou Hai and shook his hand.

“Hello, Forensic Zhou. I’m Xu Zhengxi. Reporting to you. Please give us your instructions.”

Xu Biao squeezed in, looking coldly at the man a head taller than him.

“Isn’t this a bit much? I was the one who made the call. At least greet me first, right? You just went straight to my guy Zhou? That’s like skipping the pot and going straight to the stove, you know?”

Xu Zhengxi smiled at him. “Your last case was handled beautifully. It gave us new ideas for fire scene investigations. Our leadership said we’ll be on call for you anytime in the future.”

Xu Biao laughed. “Don’t say that. We need your help right now.”

Xu Zhengxi looked at Zhou Hai. “What are your instructions? Should we demolish this place?”

Zhou Hai’s mouth twitched. Too blunt. He raised his hand to stop the man’s imagination.

“I just want to look around inside and find the security guard who was on duty on the night of July 22—the one who fought with Wang Xuchao. Not to arrest him, just to ask a few questions. Since you’re involved, it can help reduce procedures and speed things up.”

Xu Zhengxi’s expression became serious. He had seen the video of Wang Xuchao’s incident. His team had even been circulating it, which had made him furious.

He nodded immediately.

“Understood. Leave it to us.”

He turned and gestured to the others.

“Start from this bar. Bring people to inspect all fire safety systems. This street is a key nighttime monitoring area—raise the safety level.”

The security guard rushed forward, trying to say something, but Xu Zhengxi glanced at him coldly. That look made the guard shiver and swallow his words.

“We—we have fire safety permits…”

Xu Zhengxi saluted him formally, completely businesslike.

“Call your manager to the scene immediately. Having permits is good, but it doesn’t mean you’re immune. Even fire extinguishers have expiration dates. Can you guarantee there’s absolutely nothing wrong here? We’re here to inspect and improve your fire awareness. That’s all. Zhang Qiang, let’s go inside and take a look.”

He was about to enter when the security guard stepped in to block him.

“We—we’re not open yet!”

Xu Zhengxi shot him a cold look.

“When a fire breaks out, do you also need to be notified first? Even if you’re not open—hell, even if you’re taking a shit—it’ll still burn if it has to burn.”

The group pushed past him and went inside.

The security guard looked toward the woman standing not far away and followed them in as well.

But the woman did not enter. She removed her sunglasses and walked toward Zhou Hai and the others.

When she reached them, she gave Zhou Hai a deeply charming smile.

“I’m Hu Xiaoyu, the owner of Happy Island. Officers, if you have something to say, just say it directly. Isn’t this a bit inappropriate?”